017687 73966
OPEN
More Photos
6
Holidays

Dolomites Via Ferrata

Italy
6 reviews
Available Departures: Jun, Jul, Aug

8 days from

US$3,130

without flights
View Dates & Prices
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

A one week Via Ferrata holiday in the Dolomites of Northern Italy, including Tofana di Rozes

Trip Code: VIA
Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Dolomites Via Ferrata

Highlights
  • Explore the Cortina d’Ampezzo, Tre Cime and Tofanes groups
  • Summit the famous Tofana di Rozes (3225m)
  • Ideal for confident scramblers with a head for heights but no rock climbing expertise needed
  • All Via Ferrata equipment provided
At a Glance
  • Group Size 5 to 6
  • 6 days trekking and scrambling
  • Max. altitude - 3225m
  • Join In Pocol (near Cortina d'Ampezzo)
Accommodation & Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • 6 Dinners
  • 2 nights Hotel
  • 5 nights Mountain Hut / Refuge
Overview

Dating back to the First World War, when they were used to access mountain-top military positions, the via ferrata or 'iron ways' of the Dolomites cross some of the region's steepest and most impressive limestone cliffs and towers. Re-equipped and upgraded with staples, chains, ladders, cables and bridges, they provide  exciting safe passage through precipitous terrain and spectacular airy views normally reserved only for mountaineers and rock climbers. This professionally-guided via ferrata holiday using high mountain refuges includes 6 days of exploration on classic routes, many of which lead to airy summits with exceptional views.

No climbing experience is required to take part in this holiday but a head for heights is essential. During the week we stay in comfortable mountain refuges and tackle some of the famous easier via ferrata routes among the most iconic peaks of the Italian Dolomites. Excitement guaranteed on this high level trekking holiday!

Is this holiday for you?

This refuge-based mountain holiday provides 6 days of hiking and scrambling amongst the impressive rock towers of the eastern Dolomites. The objective of the holiday is to reach a number of summits by way of via ferratas. All of the technical equipment needed for via ferrata climbing is provided and training will be given. Confident scramblers with a good head for heights and reasonable upper b …

This refuge-based mountain holiday provides 6 days of hiking and scrambling amongst the impressive rock towers of the eastern Dolomites. The objective of the holiday is to reach a number of summits by way of via ferratas. All of the technical equipment needed for via ferrata climbing is provided and training will be given. Confident scramblers with a good head for heights and reasonable upper body strength should have no difficulty with the chosen routes. This will be a demanding trip, with a succession of 6 to 7 hour days during which group members will be required to climb ladders and cables and to scramble on rock.  It is not practicable to provide vehicle support for this holiday, as nights are spent in inaccessible mountain refuges. So, this is an unsupported trip. You will have to carry all of your own equipment from the start of the trip to the finish.

 

Via Ferrata Climbing

A few basic items of equipment are needed for safe ‘via ferrata' climbing. A climbing harness and climbing helmet, together with a 'via ferrata lanyard' which is used to connect the harness to the steel rope or cable (which is the usual form of protection on a via ferrata). This lanyard has 2 separate nylon straps, each of which has a large diameter, auto-locking carabiner on the end. Importantly, a via ferrata lanyard must also incorporate a dynamic system to protect against shock loads becoming excessive, in the case of a fall. When climbing, both carabiners are locked onto the protection cable and allowed to slide freely, until the next fixed protection point is reached. To pass a fixed protection point, the carabiners are unclipped one at a time and reclipped beyond the protection point. In this way, there is always at least one attachment to the cable. Providing this procedure is carefully adhered to, via ferrata climbing is simple and safe. All the required items of safety equipment are provided and full instruction in their use is given before starting off and supervision is provided throughout the holiday. The group will be led by an English-speaking IFMGA Guide and the guide to client ratio is 1:6

Read More
Why KE?

This tour is lead by IFMGA guides, internationally recognised best mountain guides.
Journalist Justine Gosling travelled with KE and wrote about this trip for Adventure Travel Magazine. Read her article: The Iron Way

KE Expert

Gemma Waterworth, HR Manager and Finance

Read Bio
Share
Tour Leader Bio
Gemma Waterworth
Gemma Waterworth

HR Manager and Finance

About Gemma:

Originally from Yorkshire, Gemma has always had love for travel and the outdoors. She spent a year living abroad whilst studying for a degree in German and Spanish, and she has also travelled around New Zealand and Thailand for 6 months before joining the KE team back in 2012.
Since then she has taken part in a variety of KE trips including Via Ferrata in Italy, climbing Mount Toubkal in Winter in Morocco and exploring rural Northern Vietnam and Halong Bay. Her absolute favourite KE highlight, however, was having the opportunity to go trekking for Gorillas in Uganda!
Gemma is a real foodie too and loves trying out new food and drink wherever she is. She enjoys lots of different types of cuisine, but her favourite would probably be Italian.
When not working at KE, Gemma is a keen outdoor enthusiast and enjoys going hiking, climbing, running and paddling, so whatever the weather she is likely to be found somewhere out on the water or in the fells of the Lake District.

Gallery

Itinerary

Download Trip Notes

We will meet at the group hotel in Pocol. Your holiday begins with the evening meal taken at the hotel or in a local restaurant.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

D
Hide Details

We take the local bus on a road which winds through the mountains to Misurina Lake. From here we follow the Bonacossa track to the sensationally located Fonda Savio hut (2367m) situated on a ridge in the Cadini di Misurina group. We stay overnight at the hut. No access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1000 M

Descent

450 M

Time

3 hours walking

Distance

6 KM
Hide Details

From the Fonda Savio hut we head south into a stone filled basin and climb to the base of the Cima del Cadin de NE where we gear up for the Via Merlone. After some easy scrambling along ledges we follow a series of wires and ladders and more ledges for around 300 metres with the view openning up behind us. On reaching the summit marked by a simple stone cairn, we have a spectacular panorama which includes Monte Piana and Monte Piano as well as the iconic towers of the Tre Cime di Laverado. After photos and some lunch we make our descent and then continue on the Bonacossa track to the Lavaredo hut (2344m). No access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1000 M

Descent

1100 M

Time

6 - 7 hours walking/climbing

Distance

9 KM
Hide Details

Monte Paterno (2746m) is another superb peak from which to view the impressive faces of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Our route today starts out near our overnight accommodation and climbs the Delle Forcelle via ferrata crossing a number of ledges and using ladders and bridges to reach the cross at the top and those great views. We then descend cables to the Forcella di Comosci (2650m) and then more ladders and cables to reach the start of a section of WW1 tunnels where we will need our headtorches. Emerging from the tunnels we make our way to our overnight accommodation (2438m). After settling in here we can relax on the terrace with a beer and watch the sunset on the towers of the Tre Cime. No access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

530 M

Descent

450 M

Time

6 - 7 hours walking/climbing

Distance

5 KM
Hide Details

The twin-towered Torre di Toblin provides a superb objective for our next via ferrata. It rises dramatically above a wide amphitheatre and provides views of the fantastic north walls of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. During the First World War, Austrian troops constructed a route to the top of this prime viewpoint and the modern-day Sentiero delle Scalette runs alongside the original Austrian route, with remnants of the old wooden ladders still visible in places. A short way beyond the Refuge Locatelli, we reach the base of the via ferrata on the north side of the Torre di Toblin. The route follows a stepped corner and passes a terrace to reach steep chimneys and a series of ladders leading up to the col between the 2 summits. A traverse and final airy ladder leads to the summit, where the views of the Tre Cime are brilliant. We descend to Auronzo, possibly spotting some rock climbers along the way. We then have a transfer and two short bus rides to reach the small town of Pocol, from here we walk up through the forests for about 1 hour 30 minutes where will find our accommodation for the night, the Dibona Hut. No access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

800 M

Descent

400 M

Time

5 - 6 hours walking/climbing

Distance

2 KM
Hide Details

Today we start out by walking to the foot of the south face of impressive Tofana di Rozes, this is another famous area for rock climbing and so we are very likely to see a few pairs on the rockface. After a short ledge we take a tunnel to cross through the rock and come out on the western face of the mountain. From here we carry on up on the Via Ferrata Giovanni Lipella, this section is not technically difficult but is quite sustained and continues to give fantastic views sweeping out across the valley. It will take us somewhere between 5 and 6 hours to reach Tre Dita (2694m), our aim of the day. It is a short trek down to get to the wonderfully located, Giusani Hut - there might even be time for a drink on the terrace before dinner. No access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

700 M

Descent

150 M

Time

6.5 hours walking/climbing

Distance

4 KM
Hide Details

After a night in this perfect location, we head back up to Tre Dita and from here we complete the last section of the Via Lipella to reach the summit of Tofana di Rozes (3225m). An easier day than yesterday, but offering the most stunning views as you reach the top of Tofana di Rozes (3225 m), most certainly an opportunity for some fantastic photos - maybe even a selfie or two! It is quite rocky underfoot all the way down to the Giusani Hut, from here however the walking is much easier going. We walk back to the Dibona hut and transfer back to Pocol. Access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

Ascent

650 M

Descent

1200 M

Time

6 - 7 hours walking/climbing
Hide Details

Your holiday ends after breakfast at the hotel.

Meals

B
Hide Details
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Point Point
Peaks Peaks
Trek
Transfer

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • Professional English-speaking local IFMGA guide(s)
  • All accommodation as described
  • Meals as detailed in the meal plan
  • Local bus fares and cable car
  • Via ferrata equipment

  • Travel insurance
  • Airport transfers to/from Cortina
  • Some meals as detailed in the meal plan
  • Miscellaneous personal expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

In some cases you may choose to take a ferry and/or train to your holiday start and end destination. Please see further information on Travelling by Train.

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive than low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

There is no group transfer for this trip, the group will meet at the group hotel in Pocol (near Cortina). The most convenient airport is Venice's Marco Polo Airport.

Firstly, you need to get to Cortina...
There is an express bus service which departs Marco Polo Airport for Cortina and the journey takes approximately 2 hours. There are usually three buses daily. Inbound, the buses usually arrive at Marco Polo Airport at 10.30 and 13.30. It is usually necessary to book the shuttle bus in advance. This can be done online at www.cortinaexpress.it or telephone 39.0436.867350. Please note that it is quite normal for the exact times not to be confirmed until only a couple of months before.

Another company which provides a similar bus service is ATVO. They also usually have two buses daily. It is usually necessary to book the shuttle bus in advance. This can be done online at www.atvo.it.

... from Cortina you take a local bus to Pocol...
To get to the Villa Argentina you need to take a local bus (Linea Urbana 3A) from Cortina Autostazione to Pocol. The hotel is just off the main road and there is a bus stop nearby, please just notify the driver you need to get off there.

There are also several buses and train/bus combinations daily from the main bus station and railway stations in Venice. For further information please see www.trenitalia.com.

You should check the timing of these services before making your flight booking. Please meet the guide at the hotel for 19.30 on day 1.

All breakfasts and dinners from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7 are included in the holiday price. If required, packed lunches can be purchased from the huts at approximately 15 Euros.

When in the towns and villages all tap water is drinkable. In mountain huts there is usually not a sustainable drinking water supply. Water in plastic bottles is brought in to the hut. All huts have a recycling point. If you have to purchase water in plastic bottles please buy the largest bottle you can so as to use less plastic. Please take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water if you can fill from a local stream. Bottled water is not provided. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles. Local authorities are working to find solutions to using plastic water bottles in huts. We monitor the situation carefully for updates.

Continental breakfasts are provided - tea and coffee, bread and a variety of spreads including jam and honey, for example.  At each of the refuges, a full 3-course dinner will be served, usually a soup dish, followed by some wholesome local speciality and a simple desert. Lunches if needed, can be purchased every day from the huts. This may be at your overnight accommodation or at a hut passed en route.

During this trip, the group will spend 2 nights in a hotel in Pocol and 5 nights at a number of Italian mountain refuges. Accommodation in the hotel will be on twin share basis and in the mountain refuges will be in non-segregated dormitory style rooms with bunk beds and shared facilities.

The group will be led by an English-speaking IFMGA Guide. The guide to client ratio is 1:6

This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at altitude on our website which can be viewed via the link below. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude. www.keadventure.com/page/altitude.html

You will need to allow approximately €20 per day for your snacks and refreshments. Note that bottled water, if bought at refuges, is very expensive. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available every night. Soft drinks especially are expensive compared to home. You should also allow €20 - 30 for the final night's evening meal. You can withdraw cash (euros only) from ATM's at the airport in Venice.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage (maximum weight 15kg) and a daypack (of around 40 litres). Since group members will carry all personal equipment during the trek, it is important to keep the overall weight of this equipment to a minimum. Neither a sleeping bag nor a camping mattress is needed and it should be possible to keep the weight of your pack to around 8 kg.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

The currency for part or all of this holiday is the Euro.

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on an active holiday getting some additional exercise. Jogging, squash and swimming are good for developing better cardiovascular fitness. Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of long walks in hilly country. For this trip, a few visits to your local climbing wall will also be useful.

Generally, the temperatures that we can expect to encounter during the day will be reasonably warm, in the range 18 to 25°C / 64 to 77°F. At night at our overnight accommodation, we can expect the temperature to drop to between 5 and 10°C / 41 to 50°F. The weather is usually stable at this time of year, but mountainous areas do generate their own weather systems and occasional rain and even stormy weather cannot be ruled out.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

  • Via Ferratas of the Dolomites Vol 1 Smith and Fletcher. Cicerone Press

Casa Editrice Tabacco

Freytag & Berndt. Walking & Leisure Maps. 1:50,000. Kompass-Karten GmbH. 1:50,000.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your daypack to a minimum. Please remember you will be carrying all your equipment between the huts. In practice since bedding is provided this will amount to a sheet sleeping bag and a minimal amount of toiletries

You must bring the following items:

  • Hiking boots

  • Socks

  • Underwear

  • Trekking trousers – (not too tight!)

  • Waterproof jacket

  • Waterproof over trousers

  • Thermal Base Layer(s)

  • Trekking shirt(s)

  • Fleece jacket or warm jumper

  • Gloves for protection on cables (fingerless biking gloves are ideal)

  • Sunhat

  • Warm hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Water bottle/bladder (1 - 2 litres) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

  • Water purification tablets

  • Daypack 30 - 40 litres (NO external frames)

  • Head torch and spare battery

  • Sun Protection (high factor)

  • Lip salve – with sunscreen

  • Wash bag (toiletries)

  • Sheet sleeping bag

  • Dry bags(s) for daypack/kitbag contents (to ensure they keep dry)

  • Small and light fold-a-way bag (to store items at the huts that are not required on climbs)

  • Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium) painkillers, plasters and blister treatment.

The following items are optional:

  • Trekking pole(s)*

  • Travel towel

  • Shorts

  • Earplugs (particularly if you are not the one snoring)

  • Camera

  • Travel clothes (can be left in hotel)

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

The following safety equipment is provided free of charge:

  • Climbing Harness

  • Climbing Helmet

  • Via Ferrata Lanyard, together with auto-locking karabiners

Notes:

*Trekking poles are useful especially for descents. However your poles must be fully retractable and you must have a system in/on your rucksack for stowing the poles securely

 

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.

Reviews

5 out of 5 from 6 reviews

Excellent introduction to Via Ferrata in stunning scenery ★★★★★

This trip was a double first for me - never having been on a via ferrata or trekked hut to hut in the Alps. The trip provides an introduction to a wide range of VF - some relatively straightforward protected walkways, some steep ladder sections, and some steep sections that needed climbing, albeit with some help from the cable, especially when wet. And a few tunnels thrown in. The scenery in the Eastern Dolomites is superb, and you get a great sense of exposure on some of the VF and on the peaks . You do need to be happy with the exposure, and a confident scrambler, and reasonably hill fit while carrying a moderate pack. Minimising your rucksack weight is important, especially after adding a couple of kilos of water/lunch/harness/helmet etc. Sometimes we were able to leave some of our kit at a hut and do the VF with a lighter pack. The weather was mixed - some bright sunny, shorts and t-shirt, days and some rainy with full waterproofs. The itinerary was adjusted accordingly. The best day for me was the long VF Giovanni Lipella followed by an ascent of Tofana di Rozes. Our leader Thibault was excellent - gave us a good introduction to the equipment, including a test abseil ( never actually needed) and always kept an eye on the group during our climbs. I always felt safe and in control. Some of the VF are very popular and busy, especially around weekends, so you do need to keep an eye out for what others are doing. The huts vary from large tourist honeypots to smaller more isolated huts. Breakfast was fairly basic, dinners usually good. Sleeping arrangements were usually cramped and generally noisy during the night - I admit to being one of the snorers. Good earplugs can help - mine often fell out (I noticed our guide wore a buff around his eyes and ears when sleeping, which would probably help). Buses to Pocol are not that frequent and most of the group ending up in a taxi for at least one journey. Overall an excellent holiday with a great bunch of folks.
By Maurice from Petersfield | 19 September 2019

It was a success and better than I was expecting. ★★★★★

It was well organised except for the following which should be amended on the joining instructions. 1 Bus from Cortina to Hotel Argentina. Bus 3a Cortina to Pocol does not go to Pocol. There is another one who's number I did not discover. 2. The guide company's telephone number was of no help, being advertisements in french. It would have been useful to have the guide's direct mobile number. I am not a mountaineer but seem to have become one. Loved every minute.

By Ambrose from Basingstoke | 25 July 2019

KE Adventure reply

Thanks Ambrose. We are glad you had a good trip. We would like to clarify a couple of things in your review. Bus 3a from Cortina goes to Pocol (its last stop). This is different to bus 3 which has the same route as the 3A except for the final stop. The number given in the meeting arrangements is the 24 hour contact number for our local agent. If the phone is engaged you can leave a voicemail after the message.

Everything I expected and more. Challenging, interesting and well organised. ★★★★★

The via ferrata was challenging , ablely lead by the guide, Francois, who was very competent and knowledgeable. The whole trip was well organised, with good accommadation and excellent food.

By David from Swindon | 08 August 2017

The true splendour of the Dolomites with the thrill of via Ferratta ★★★★★

The Dolomites are certainly a fantastic mountain range that offer something for everybody regardless of ability, age or disposition. The via Ferrata experience is a great way to see and to get amongst the massively impressive mountain ranges that dominate the landscape. The week was spent building our skills and gradually increasing the difficulty of the challenges to the point where we were safe and confident despite being exposed several thousands of feet above perilous scree slopes and vertic al drops. The organisation was, as expected, very good with a guide who was both capable and had a sound knowledge of the routes and locations. The guide (Francois) was quickly able to assess individuals capabilities and ensure the challenges were within their ability. The group gelled together very well and as a consequence were able to give each other the support and confidence needed to achieve what previously would have been thought to be unachievable. The whole experience was particularly memorable, not only the mountains, the great group but also the organisation which ran smoothly making the experience all the more rewarding. Clearly the week was tailored to meet our needs and can be easily adjusted to suit a less able or more able group, accessing these mountains is well within anybody's reach. I would certainly recommend KE Adventure to friends and would be happy to recommend via ferratta to any interested party. I would make a couple of comments that might help other travellers wishing to take part in this experience. Firstly, the weather can quickly change from being sunny and around 25 degrees to being very wet including thunder and lightening, consequently participants need to have good water proofs. I took my summer walking gear which included a lightweight waterproof jacket but I needed my winter gear as the rain was torrential (think of a firemans hose) and my summer gear wasn't good enough. Also when packing your gear participants need to be aware that they will have to carry the harness and helmet whilst walking to the start of the via Ferratta which takes up a lot of room in the rucksack, therefore it is important that the rucksack has sufficient capacity to carry these items otherwise it can be a problem. Hope this helps, it was a fantastic week one that I'll live on for a long time to come Cheers Ian Ian Hardicker
By Ian from Malvern | 08 August 2016

Outstanding trip & great experience with safety-oriented guide ★★★★★

This was an exciting and "full-on" Via Ferrata experience with magnificent scenery and enjoyable but challenging (for me) Via Ferrata. The food in the huts was unexpectedly excellent. A particular positive of this trip was the highly qualified and characterful French guide, Francois, who put group safety and the wellbeing of the party members at the absolute highest end of his priority.

By Adventure from East Hendred | 20 July 2016
Read More Reviews Leave a Review
Traveller Reviews
5 out of 5 from 10 reviews
Leave a Review
Excellent introduction to Via Ferrata in stunning scenery
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This trip was a double first for me - never having been on a via ferrata or trekked hut to hut in the Alps. The trip provides an introduction to a wide range of VF - some relatively straightforward protected walkways, some steep ladder sections, and some steep sections that needed climbing, albeit with some help from the cable, especially when wet. And a few tunnels thrown in. The scenery in the Eastern Dolomites is superb, and you get a great sense of exposure on some of the VF and on the peaks . You do need to be happy with the exposure, and a confident scrambler, and reasonably hill fit while carrying a moderate pack. Minimising your rucksack weight is important, especially after adding a couple of kilos of water/lunch/harness/helmet etc. Sometimes we were able to leave some of our kit at a hut and do the VF with a lighter pack. The weather was mixed - some bright sunny, shorts and t-shirt, days and some rainy with full waterproofs. The itinerary was adjusted accordingly. The best day for me was the long VF Giovanni Lipella followed by an ascent of Tofana di Rozes. Our leader Thibault was excellent - gave us a good introduction to the equipment, including a test abseil ( never actually needed) and always kept an eye on the group during our climbs. I always felt safe and in control. Some of the VF are very popular and busy, especially around weekends, so you do need to keep an eye out for what others are doing. The huts vary from large tourist honeypots to smaller more isolated huts. Breakfast was fairly basic, dinners usually good. Sleeping arrangements were usually cramped and generally noisy during the night - I admit to being one of the snorers. Good earplugs can help - mine often fell out (I noticed our guide wore a buff around his eyes and ears when sleeping, which would probably help). Buses to Pocol are not that frequent and most of the group ending up in a taxi for at least one journey. Overall an excellent holiday with a great bunch of folks.
By Maurice from Petersfield | 19 September 2019
It was a success and better than I was expecting.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

It was well organised except for the following which should be amended on the joining instructions. 1 Bus from Cortina to Hotel Argentina. Bus 3a Cortina to Pocol does not go to Pocol. There is another one who's number I did not discover. 2. The guide company's telephone number was of no help, being advertisements in french. It would have been useful to have the guide's direct mobile number. I am not a mountaineer but seem to have become one. Loved every minute.

By Ambrose from Basingstoke | 25 July 2019

KE Adventure reply

Thanks Ambrose. We are glad you had a good trip. We would like to clarify a couple of things in your review. Bus 3a from Cortina goes to Pocol (its last stop). This is different to bus 3 which has the same route as the 3A except for the final stop. The number given in the meeting arrangements is the 24 hour contact number for our local agent. If the phone is engaged you can leave a voicemail after the message.

Everything I expected and more. Challenging, interesting and well organised.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The via ferrata was challenging , ablely lead by the guide, Francois, who was very competent and knowledgeable. The whole trip was well organised, with good accommadation and excellent food.

By David from Swindon | 08 August 2017
The true splendour of the Dolomites with the thrill of via Ferratta
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Dolomites are certainly a fantastic mountain range that offer something for everybody regardless of ability, age or disposition. The via Ferrata experience is a great way to see and to get amongst the massively impressive mountain ranges that dominate the landscape. The week was spent building our skills and gradually increasing the difficulty of the challenges to the point where we were safe and confident despite being exposed several thousands of feet above perilous scree slopes and vertic al drops. The organisation was, as expected, very good with a guide who was both capable and had a sound knowledge of the routes and locations. The guide (Francois) was quickly able to assess individuals capabilities and ensure the challenges were within their ability. The group gelled together very well and as a consequence were able to give each other the support and confidence needed to achieve what previously would have been thought to be unachievable. The whole experience was particularly memorable, not only the mountains, the great group but also the organisation which ran smoothly making the experience all the more rewarding. Clearly the week was tailored to meet our needs and can be easily adjusted to suit a less able or more able group, accessing these mountains is well within anybody's reach. I would certainly recommend KE Adventure to friends and would be happy to recommend via ferratta to any interested party. I would make a couple of comments that might help other travellers wishing to take part in this experience. Firstly, the weather can quickly change from being sunny and around 25 degrees to being very wet including thunder and lightening, consequently participants need to have good water proofs. I took my summer walking gear which included a lightweight waterproof jacket but I needed my winter gear as the rain was torrential (think of a firemans hose) and my summer gear wasn't good enough. Also when packing your gear participants need to be aware that they will have to carry the harness and helmet whilst walking to the start of the via Ferratta which takes up a lot of room in the rucksack, therefore it is important that the rucksack has sufficient capacity to carry these items otherwise it can be a problem. Hope this helps, it was a fantastic week one that I'll live on for a long time to come Cheers Ian Ian Hardicker
By Ian from Malvern | 08 August 2016
Outstanding trip & great experience with safety-oriented guide
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This was an exciting and "full-on" Via Ferrata experience with magnificent scenery and enjoyable but challenging (for me) Via Ferrata. The food in the huts was unexpectedly excellent. A particular positive of this trip was the highly qualified and characterful French guide, Francois, who put group safety and the wellbeing of the party members at the absolute highest end of his priority.

By Adventure from East Hendred | 20 July 2016
Via Ferrata 2016

Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
View all (17)
By Thomas from East Hendred | 19 July 2016
Brilliant trip to a beautiful area: great VF, great food, great huts.......Epic
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A well thought out itinerary, visiting great huts with excellent food and taking in a number of exiting via ferrata on the way. If you've got a good head for heights don't miss this trip.

By Adventure from Middlesbrough | 11 July 2016
Dolomites Via Ferrata - July2016

Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
View all (10)
By Robert from Middlesbrough | 11 July 2016
Dolomites via ferrata | August 2015

Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
View all (11)
By Alastair from ZUG | 11 October 2015
VIA Gallery

Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
Review Image
View all (10)
By Daniel from UK | 25 September 2015
View Dates & Prices

Other Trips You Might like

View all Related Trips
A quick photo with 'our mountain'
Secret Switzerland - Tour des Combins

Italy , Italian Alps

A one week walking holiday, completing a circuit of the Gran Combin in Switzerland

Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

8 days from

US$2,425

without flights

A group shot from the summit - taken by Cathryn from Belper on trip.jpg
Italian High Level Route

Italy , Italian Alps

The ultimate Alpine introductory week completing a cross-border circuit through Switzerland and Italy

Mountaineer
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

8 days from

US$2,925

without flights

BMM - Best of Mont Blanc to Matterhorn
Best of Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn

France , Mont Blanc

One of Europe's great Alpine mountain walks in a one week holiday

Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

8 days from

US$2,995

without flights

DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

Get in Touch

2025

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Dolomites Via Ferrata
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: VIA /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 21 Jun and ends on Sat 28 Jun
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Single Supplement Price: US$275 - For the accommodation on the first and last night - single rooms are limited.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Dolomites Via Ferrata
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: VIA /02/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 5 Jul and ends on Sat 12 Jul
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Single Supplement Price: US$275 - For the accommodation on the first and last night - single rooms are limited.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Dolomites Via Ferrata
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: VIA /03/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 19 Jul and ends on Sat 26 Jul
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Single Supplement Price: US$275 - For the accommodation on the first and last night - single rooms are limited.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Dolomites Via Ferrata
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: VIA /04/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 26 Jul and ends on Sat 2 Aug
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Single Supplement Price: US$275 - For the accommodation on the first and last night - single rooms are limited.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Dolomites Via Ferrata
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: VIA /05/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 23 Aug and ends on Sat 30 Aug
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Single Supplement Price: US$275 - For the accommodation on the first and last night - single rooms are limited.
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. The holiday starts at the hotel Cortina. Venice Marco Polo Airport has the nearest airport.

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


VISAmastercard
Download Trip Notes
Field Required
Field Required
Field Required
Footer logos
© 2024 KE Adventure Travel Ltd, Central Car Park Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DF, England. Registered Address: Fifth Floor, 27 Greville Street, London, United Kingdom EC1N 8SU. Registered No. 1911512. Email: sales@keadventure.com
Your Wishlist
No Wishlist Items

Start your next adventure.

Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to save a holiday to your wishlist.

Holiday Search
View more Filters