Via ferrata Tridentina on Pisciadù

The via ferrata Tridentina is arguably amongst the most famous and popular in the Dolomites. Surrounded by the breathtaking backdrop of the Sella, you’ll be climbing higher and higher - but don’t worry, the most difficult passages have been disarmed using metal bolts and ladders. As a result, this via ferrata is challenging but never extreme. One of the highlights is surely the dizzying hanging bridge towards the end of the climb. Once it is crossed, you’ll make out the cozy mountain hut next to the Piasciadù lake, where you’ll be able to take a well-earned break. During the high-season months of July and August, this via ferrata can sometimes get crowded, but using the right tactics, it’s still possible to dodge the rush-hour traffic.

Coming from the Autostrada del Brennero (highway A22), drive through Val Gardena (SS242) until Plan de Gralba. From there, turn left at the junction and drive up to the Gardena Pass (SS243). From the top, keep driving for six more hairpin turns in direction Val Badia. You’ll soon come across a large parking lot to your right.

Coming from Val Badia, drive untill Corvara (SS244), then turn right and drive up the Passo Gardena (SS243) until you reach the same parking lot (about 7km / 4.3 miles from Corvara).

During summer, the mountain passes in the Dolomites are very easy to access using public transportation. Bus line 471 leaves the towns of Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva every 30 minutes. The same goes for Corvara in direction Passo Gardena. Find the detailed timetables on altoadigemobilità

The starting point of the via ferrata is located only 10 minutes from the parking lot. Follow the signsposts to get there.

The Tridentina begins with a vertical 50m / 160ft. wall. In the morning, it can sometimes be wet, but is still safe to climb thanks to many iron clips. After this first hurdle, you’ll be hiking for a few minutes to the right along a rocky trail. After passing two large boulders, you’ll have reached the second part of the climb. If you’re having difficulties at this point, you should turn around and make your way back to the parking lot!

The actual via ferrata begins right next to the waterfall, at an altitude at 2,070m / 6,800ft. This next part is not too difficult and cleverly winds its way upwards besides the waterfall. There are some short vertical passages, all of them equipped with iron clips for support. You’ll soon be able to see the Exner Turm, a marvelous little peak, and the climb tends to get more challenging from here. Who feels out of his league has, once again, the chance to turn back here, before the hardest part of the tour. After you cross the waterfall for the second time, you’ll find yourself on a small plateau. If you’ve had enough of climbing, keep going to the left, following the signposts to the F. Cavazza mountain hut.

The third part of the Tridentina is the hardest and most exciting. Vertical rocks and an iron ladder will lead you further up until you almost reach the top of the Exner Turm (2,494m / 8,180ft.). If you want, you can temporarily leave the via ferrata and add a short detour to the peak (about 50m / 165ft. of altitude change).
The view is breathtaking here already, but there’s a last challenge to be overcome: the famous hanging bridge. It is 8m (25ft.) long and connects the Exner Turm with the Brunecker Turm. You’ll need some courage to cross it, as there are several hundred meters of air right below!

Once the bridge is conquered, it’s a relaxing 15-20 minute hike until the Franco Cavazza mountain hut (2,587m / 8,490ft.). Behind it, you’ll find the picturesque Pisciadù lake.

If you still have energy left and want to keep going, you can climb the Cima Pisciadù (2,985m / 9,800 ft.). It will take two and a half hours to climb to the top and get back to the F. Cavazza mountain hut. To do it, follow trail nr. 666 to the south into the Val de Tita. After a few climbing passages, you’ll reach a pass at 2,890m / 9,48 ft. From there, it’s just one more climb to the left (north) until you reach the peak.

The classic descent from Pisciadù leads through the Val Setus. Starting from the F. Cavazza mountain hut, follow trail nr. 666 west for about 200m / 650ft. Keep on your climbing gear, because there are some steep passages featuring a steel rope on the way down, too. Take special casre at the start of the season (June-July), because you are likely to conme across some snow in the gorge. Hikers usually form a trail through the snowy passages, but it might still be a good idea to give a call to the mountain hut or your local tourist office and ask about current conditions. The trail is steep throughout and will lead you back to the parking lot in about an hour.

A nice alternative route leads down the Val Mezdì. From the F. Cavazza mountain hut, follow trail nr. 676 eastwards, into the Val di Bosli. You’ll descend into the Val de Mezdì, then shortly switch to trail nr. 651 (direction north). After about 600m / 1,970ft., turn left (west) on trail 28B. You’ll hike past the starting point of the second part of the Tridentina, reach the end of Val Setus, and get to the parking lot from there.

Since the via ferrata Tridentina is so popular, it attracts many people, especially during the weekend. Congestions are possible, and it is usually not possible to overtake slower groups without putting yourself and others in danger. To avoid this kind of situation, consider the following points:

• Avoid weekends if possible
• Start as early as you can. Before 8.30 AM is best.
• If you are an experienced mountaineer, it might pay to start around lunch time, when the climb tends to be less crowded. Only do this if you know what you’re doing and the days are long (June-August).
• Should you still encounter traffic along the way, stay calm, enjoy the view and respect other climbers.

• Tabacco no. 05, Gröden-Val Gardena. The Tobacco cards are also available via the app.
• AV-Karte no. 52/I

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