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Via Ferrata Courses

Via Ferrata Introduction

Duration 8 Days » Grade Introductory

Via Ferrata Introduction (www2), 60 kb

Via Ferrata Introduction Photo: © Thomas Chatfield

An introduction to Via Ferrata in the heart of the Dolomites, this course is suitable for keen walkers and scramblers. After initial instruction on Via Ferrata safety, we tackle some grade 1, 2 and 3 Ferratas around the picturesque town of Cortina. Highlights include the longest suspension bridge in the Dolomites and an ascent of 'The Patenkofel', in the shadow of the world-famous Tre Cima.

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Course base: Cortina, Italy

Typical Programme

Day 1:Saturday.
Course participants should arrive at the course base by 6pm. You are met by our British host and have dinner. There is a briefing on the week's activities and you meet your guide/s for the forthcoming days, before going out for dinner.
Day 2:Sunday.
An easy but very exciting day and good introduction to Via Ferrata. The highlight is crossing the longest suspension bridge in the Dolomites! Monte Cristallo-Cima di Mezzo via Via Ferrata Marino Bianchi (Grade 2) and the best part of Via Ferrta Ivano Dibona (Grade 2) via Cristallo cable car and Rif. Lorenzi.
Day 3:Monday.
Punta Fiames-Via Ferrata Michielli Strobel (Grade 3) is a longer and slightly more involved route on a very big mountain face of 2,000ft. There are superb views from the summit and an interesting descent. A 5-6 hour day.
Day 4:Tuesday.
Col Rosa-Via Ferrata Ettore Bovero (Grade 3). An excellent and very steep Via Ferrata on a 1,000ft face of good solid limestone with superb positions. This is a short but stiff day allowing a little free time in the afternoon to explore Cortina.
Day 5-6:Wednesday/Thursday.
A true Dolomite experience. We journey out today by mini bus over the Tre Croci pass and the resort of Misurina to the Auronzo hut beneath the famous Cima Grande di Laverado. This is home to some of the most spectacular and difficult rock climbs in the Alps. A 1hour walk passing under the great North face brings us to our home for the night: The Locatelli Hut. After checking in and depositing gear we head off for the dramatic Grade 3 Delle Scaletti Via Ferrata on the Torre Toblino an Austrian outpost in the mountain war of 1916). We descend by the easier Sentiero del Curato (protected path - Grade 2) to the hut for dinner.

After an early breakfast we depart for The Patenkofel (Monte Paterno), which towers above the hut like a giant cathedral. Prepare yourselves for a very unusual ascent. The first hour is spent in a tunnel spiralling up inside the mountain (this was the access to the Italian front line) - make sure you have your head torch! Our descent takes in another protected path back to the Col di Laverado and so back to Auronso hut and our transport back to Cortina. These are two very full but rewarding days.

Day 7:Friday.
Back out to Misurina to begin our final expedition; The Cadenspitze (Cima del Cadin) by the Via Ferrata Merlone (Grade 3). This is a Via Ferrata with a difference - a huge, almost 3,000ft face needing over 300ft of ladders to make its summit easily accessible. Another route hostile to vertigo - enjoy its lofty summit.
Day 8:Saturday.
Dispersal. Breakfast is provided on the last morning before participants leave the course.

Further Information

Find out more about our Course bases, Course Inclusions and Exclusions, Course Directors and Guiding Ratios... [read more]

Dates

Prices (choose currency)

Joining inCortina
£795
Insurance Course Only
£48

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Other Courses at this Grade

These courses have a similar grade and might also suit you. They are all considered to be 'introductory courses'.

Course nameDays
Alpine Introduction Mont Blanc Extension5
Scrambling Weekend3
Introductory Long Weekend4
Alpine Introduction8