Piccolo Cir Via Ferrata with Mountain Guides Catores – Dolomites, Italy

August 2024

Piccolo Cir Via Ferrata with Mountain Guides Catores – Dolomites, Italy

Since our first time completing a via ferrata in Banff, we knew we could not pass the opportunity to embark on another climbing adventure. Via ferrata was inventing in the Dolomites so we really had no choice but to explore this area famous for climbing. Via ferrata means “way of iron” in Italian and is a system of rungs, ladders, and cables that allow you to climb a mountain while carabineer’ed in. Today there are over 600 via ferratas throughout the Dolomites in varying duration, difficulty, and terrain.

So picking a via ferrata to explore among over 600 options certainly sounded like a difficult challenge but we knew we wanted to go with a guide which made the selection much similar. I found Mountain Guides Catores in downtown Ortisei who were very well rated and offered via ferrata and rock climbing excursions. I reached out inquring over email and we were given the following options to choose from:

• The Piccool (Small) Cir: A popular route that is good for beginners but offers a wonderful panorama from the top. It is a via ferrata that starts from Passo Gardena and the total duration from walking to the starting point to the completion of the via ferrata is 4 hours.
• The Tridentina-Pisciadú: This is located in the Sella Group and it is the most popular via ferrata in the Dolomites. Described as having a short approach, challenging passages, and impressive vertical climbing passages at the Exner Tower finishing with a suspension bridge at the end of the via ferrata. Total climb time is 5 hours. 
• The “Furcela de Saslonch”: A newer via ferrata that while it is short in duration at 2 hours, it is technically difficult and demanding. In the middle section, a secured emergency exit allows you to leave the climbing facility if necessary or if you are overtaxed. In the upper part, an exposed jagged ridge is climbed and the summit ridge is reached on an airy suspension bridge over a gap before descending to the Toni Demetz Hut. The magnificent rock scenery all around is impressive, surrounded by the steeply rising walls of the Cinque Dita Summit and the Sassolungo Massif. 

At first, the Tridentina-Pisciadú sounded like a great option for us but after watching a video, I second guessed our confidence. We still considered ourselves quite inexperienced with via ferrata so while we were ambitious do complete one of the more challenging and longer via ferrata routes, we decided to be reasonable with our abilities and selected the Piccolo Cir.

The morning of our via ferrata, our guide Lucas came to Hotel Digon to pick us up and drive us to the Piccolo Cir via ferrata starting point. Shortly after, we were suited up with the via ferrata gear which includes a helmet, harness, and carabiner clips. One thing we did not have that we had in Banff was gloves and I think in retrospect, I should not have sent back the gloves I bought so prematurely but we survived without them. Then we were set to start our walk to the start of the via ferrata. Our guide pointed to the peaks in front of us and indicated the third from the left would be our climb.

I have to say, the walk to the start of the via ferrata was the toughest part of the day. It was almost an hour of uphill hiking. If you are given the option to take the chairlift, I would 100% take it to save your energy for the actually via ferrata. It was not very clear that we had a choice but I would have happily paid to preserve our legs.

We took a break at the base of the via ferrata to review the carabineer connections, what to expect, water refuel, and safety. Once we snapped in, while I was nervous I have to say overall I had a better experience on this via ferrata then on the one in Banff. And I think the biggest reason was that on this particular via ferrata, when you looked down, you were not looking at a staple that was several inches away from the rock or looking down into the abyss but instead look at rock so this helped tremendously. In fact, other than the cable, there were little to no staples or ladders and instead was much more rock climbing. While there were definitely a few tricky spots where foot placements felt less than stable, it was much less of a scary experience. 

And after an hour of climbing, we made it to the top! The top really is a small area to sit and relax before the next group wants their turn to enjoy the view but wow it is stunning. Such an incredible view of the Val Gardena valley and surrounding area. 

The journey down was a bit challenging at first but mostly because going down on a via ferrata is harder but once we were done the short distance, we were able to unclip and walk freely down the mountain. 

After our epic climb, we stopped at the rifugio to refuel – the food here is great so this made for a perfect end of the day.

Exhausted and exhilarated, we made our way back to Ortisei and bid a fond farewell to our guide. All in, it took us 4 hours with the climbing to the start of the via ferrata which is exactly the amount of time that we expected. While the via ferrata was short, it was the perfect length and difficulty for me. I know others in our group would have liked a longer and more difficult one, this worked great for me as someone who was scared but still wanted to complete it. That being said, when making your decision on which via ferrata to complete, keep that in mind and be honest with yourself for what you think you can do both physically and mentally. 

Continue reading about our week in Dolomites here!

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