First via ferratas, Cortina
A first week on via ferrata above Cortina, with a mountain guide from the first morning. Four routes, easy to moderate, and three nights in huts between the Cinque Torri and the Averau.
Day by day, route by route
Each point is where you sleep. Pick a day to see the time out, the climb and the hut at the end of it. Lifts are not counted in the climb.
Arrive in Cortina
Transfer from Venice, harness and helmet fitting with your guide, and a briefing over dinner.
- Out
- 1 h
- Distance
- 3 km
- Up
- 50 m
- Down
- 50 m
Training at the Cinque Torri
The chairlift up, a morning on short cables beside the towers to practice clipping, then the First World War trenches of the open-air museum. Night at Rifugio Scoiattoli.
- Out
- 4 h
- Distance
- 5 km
- Up
- 350 m
- Down
- 300 m
Ra Gusela to Rifugio Nuvolau
The first full route: cables and short ladders up the north side of the Nuvolau to a small hut on the summit.
- Out
- 4 h
- Distance
- 6 km
- Up
- 550 m
- Down
- 230 m
The Averau
Down to the Forcella Averau and up the Averau route, the shortest of the week and its highest summit at 2,649 m. An afternoon off at Rifugio Averau.
- Out
- 3½ h
- Distance
- 4 km
- Up
- 300 m
- Down
- 460 m
Col dei Bos and home
A drive to the Passo Falzarego for the Col dei Bos, the longest climb of the week, then down to Cortina for the transfer to Venice.
- Out
- 5 h
- Distance
- 6 km
- Up
- 600 m
- Down
- 600 m
Why this route, and why with us
A via ferrata is a path with a steel cable fixed to the rock. You wear a harness and clip two lanyards to the cable, so a slip is caught. The routes on this week are short and well protected, chosen for people who have walked in mountains but never clipped in.
Every day is led by an IFMGA mountain guide, with at most four climbers. The guide sets the pace, checks every clip on the first day, and chooses the order of the routes around the weather.
When the weather turns
Nobody climbs on a cable in a thunderstorm. If the forecast is poor, the guide moves the longest route to the best morning and swaps another for a walk to the war tunnels at Lagazuoi.
Included
- Mountain guide for four days, four climbers at most
- Harness, helmet and via ferrata lanyards
- 3 nights in huts with dinner and breakfast
- First night in a Cortina hotel
- Transfers from Venice and back, and lift tickets
Not included
Flights, lunches and drinks at huts (budget €30 a day), the guide’s tip if you want to give one, travel insurance with mountain rescue cover, tourist tax paid locally.
Where you sleep
Scoiattoli and Averau are comfortable huts with private rooms, which we book for everyone on this trip. Nuvolau is tiny and old, with small bunk rooms and the best view in the area.
2027 dates and prices
Prices are per person, two sharing a room. Private dates with your own guide start any day between 3 July and 14 September.
| Starts | Ends | Shared guide, up to four | Private guide for two | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 3 July | Wed 7 July | €2,150 | €2,790 | Places held |
| Sat 24 July | Wed 28 July | €2,290 | €2,930 | 2 places left |
| Sat 14 August | Wed 18 August | €2,290 | €2,930 | Waiting list |
| Sat 4 September | Wed 8 September | €2,150 | €2,790 | Places held |
A 20% deposit holds your place; the rest is due eight weeks before you start. Cancellation terms
Questions about this route
No, this trip is written for that. The first morning is training on short cables close to the lift, and the guide decides with you whether to go on.
Tell the guide. Each route has a way off partway, and there are walking alternatives on every day.
Only boots with a stiff sole and gloves for the cables. We lend the harness, helmet and lanyards.
Fit enough to walk five hours with 600 m of climbing. Upper-body strength helps on ladders, but technique matters more.
Still deciding?
Book a 20-minute call. We'll ask about your walking and tell you straight if this route is right.
Book a call
