Via ferrata Sas Rigais

Climbing Sas Rigais (a mountain almost 10,000ft high) in the Puez-Geisler Nature Park is an unforgettable experience. We’re not just talking about your average via ferrata here, but an imposing peak of the Dolomites. Accessing this route requires a little excursion of its own and takes 1.5 hours. The trail that leads there crosses picturesque alpine meadows, allowing you to marvel at the elegant peaks of the Odles mountains. “Odles” is the Ladin word for “needles” – when you see them, you’ll understand why they were named this way.

The way to the top of Sas Rigais is long and challenging. Interspersed with the many climbing passages – always equipped with fixed steel ropes – there are some easier parts that only require hiking. Still, you better not be afraid of heights if you venture there!

The view from the peak is breathtaking. You’ll be able to see all the way from Ortler to the west to Tofana to the east. It is possible to “cross” Sas Rigais, as there are two vie ferrate that lead to the top – one from the south and one from the east.

Coming from the Autostrada del Brennero (highway A22), drive through Val Gardena (SS242) until Santa Cristina, to the valley station of the Col Raiser cable car (open in summer from the beginning of June until the end of September. Local parking available, subject to charge).

Val Gardena is also very easy to reach using public transportation. Every 30 minutes, a bus departs from Ponte Gardena or Chiusa and leads into the valley (line 350). Inside the valley there are several other connections, assuring that a bus leaves approximately every 15 minutes. If you’re coming by bus, get out in Santa Cristina at the Maciaconi bus stop, then take the “Citybus” to the valley station of Col Raiser. You’ll find detailed timetables on altoadigemobilità.

From Col Raiser follow trail nr. 4 until Rifugio Firenze. From there, trail nr. 13 will lead you to the foot of Sas Rigais across beautiful meadows and light forestation. The best way to tackle this via ferrata is to ascend on the east side and descend on the south side, so as soon as you get close to the mountain, walk east (right) into the Val dala Salieries (valley of the water channels). Follow the guidepost located at an altitude of 2,299m. The trail is quite steep at first, then flattens a bit until you reach a nick between Sas Rigais and the Furchetta (fork) mountain (2,804m / 9,200ft.). Keep to the left of the nick. You’ll reach the starting point of the via ferrata by ascending some natural stone steps.

If you’re starting from Ortisei, on the other hand, you can take the Seceda ropeway and hike from the mountain station to the access point of the Sas Rigais via ferrata. To do that, follow trail nr. 1 until just above the Troier hut, then switch to trail nr. 2B. Hike past the Pieralongia hut until you reach the foot of Sas Rigais, then follow the above directions (go into the Val dala Salieres). To get back to Ortisei after the tour, we recommend hiking to the Col Raiser mountain station, taking a cablecar to Santa Cristina, and then taking the bus to Ortisei. This will save you a straining hike back to the top of Seceda.

In the case that Col Raiser isn’t open, the best way to access Sas Rigais starts from Daunëi (situated above Selva). From there, follow trail nr. 3 past the Juac and Rifugio Firenze huts until you reach the starting point of the climb.

From the starting point, the way to the top leads across the eastern edge. A secured steel cable will accompany you all the way to the top, except in the parts of the route that are safe to hike without climbing gear. Once you get going, it won’t be long until you’ll be able to see the summit cross. The last portion of the climb is not particularly hard, but very exposed. It will lead you to the peak, where you’ll be able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery!

If you’re less experienced and want to take it easy, we recommend that you ascend and descend from the South-Western access point.

Villnösser Einstieg

There’s actually a third starting point to climb Sas Rigais: the so-called Villnösser Einstieg (usually accessed from Val di Funes). The starting point is located on the south side of the mountain and starts at the Mittagsscharte (2,615m / 8,580ft.), which can be reached by following trail nr. 29 from the meadows at the foot of Sas Rigais. To get there, you’ll have to make your way across a boulder-field and hike past the West access point. Walk east from the nick and you’ll soon reach the first steel cables. A narrow channel will lead you up to the next nick, followed by a short hike. You’ll then have to climb up a wall and cross some trenches, and it won’t be long until the route flows into the South-Western via ferrata. You can follow it all the way to the top. The Villnösser Einstieg is a bit more challenging and less popular than the others.

Don’t underestimate the descent from Sas Rigais – it is quite long, and you’ll need to stay focused until the end. From the peak, follow the cables leading downwards along the south-western edge of the mountain. This will lead into easier terrrain on the south side of the mountain. There are several boulders to overcome here. You’ll soon reach a meadow – keep going in direction south-west until you reach the last part of the via ferrata. A short vertical climb will take you to a wooden bridge, then onwards through a nick until you reach the Mittagsscharte and its many boulders. The trail will take you back to the starting point.

As mentioned above, the via ferrata Sas Rigais is a long and straining excursion. Tackle it only in decidedly good weather – you do not want to find yourself on the exposed parts of Sas Rigais during a thunderstorm!

If you want to minimize the length of the excursion and get a better impression of weather conditions, consider spending the night before the climb on Seceda. You have the following options:

• Rifugio Firenze
• Rifugio Fermeda
• Almhotel Col Raiser

• Tabacco no. 05, Gröden-Val Gardena or no. 30, Alta Badia, Arabba, Marmolada. The Tobacco cards are also available via the app.
• Kompass WK 56 Brixen-Bressanone

• "Klettersteige für Einsteiger Südtirol-Dolomiten-Gardasee", Christjan Ladurner, Tappeiner
• "Klettersteigführer Dolomiten-Südtirol-Gardasee", Axel Jentzsch-Rabl, Andreas Jentzsch, Dieter Wissekal, Alpinverlag