The Vagabond Hiker

Hiking, trekking, and climbing the world

Italy: Via Ferratas of the Gruppo del Catinaccio

Late in August I joined some friends of mine for a guided hut-to-hut via ferrata trek in the Gruppo del Catinaccio of the Dolomites. Also known as the Rosengarten Group, it is located about an hour drive east of Bolzano, the capital and by far the largest city in the province of South Tyrol. The entire trip was 10 days, but I climbed only on the first 6 as I had done some of the later ferratas only last year (see my blog from 15 September 2018). (For those who aren’t familiar with via ferratas, they are cables attached to the mountain that you clip into with caribiners using a special ferrata lanyard attached to your harness).

While many of these photos are similar to the ones I shared last year, the stupendous scenery of the Dolomites never tires (at least for me!) and of course there are several photos of my Utah friends included here. Enjoy!

Our day 1 approach to Roda di Vael. A short and easy route in dry conditions.
Common Monkshood. We saw a lot of Monkshood, one of my favorites.
Other climbers on the Roda di Vael crux, an ascending traverse. It was raining by the time we reached it, making it even more difficult.
On our day 2 approach to Vael Majare
Csilla climbing Vael Majare
Vista from Vael Majare. Some beautiful shades of green!
On our day 3 approach to Via Ferrata (VF) Santner
Me (with others behind) on an airy traverse, I believe on VF Santner. I usually climbed the rock rather than the cable if it was possible. Photo by our guide Tomas.
Looking back on our VF Santner descent route, the large crack in the middle of the photo
Our lodging for the night, Rifugio Re Alberto Premier. Most rifugios are in unbelievable locations.
Bob, Denise and Robert topping out on one pitch of the VF Antermoia on day 4
Bob, Don, Leslie, and Csilla on the summit of Antermoia. It seems nearly all peaks in Italy feature a cross.
Bob, Robert, and Denise on the descent of Antermoia, with Rolando behind the lens.
Antermoia vista. I stitched together 6 photos for this panorama.
A lake near Rifugio Antermoia on the fourth night. Unfortunately, too cold for a dip.
Morning light with Rifugio Antermoia, day 5
Csilla (seated) and Rolando on VF Laurenzi, day 5. Laurenzi was the most technically difficult of the 6 via ferratas I climbed.
View towards Sasso Piatto from VF Laurenzi. The rest of the group was heading in this direction after I left.
Potentilla nitida (Dolomite cinquefoil), seen on VF Laurenzi
Bob on a VF Laurenzi traverse with Tomas, our lead guide, behind
Rifugio Alpe de Tires, a welcome sight after our longest and toughest day. VF Maximiliansteig, our day 6 objective, is behind it.
View along our traverse of VF Maximilianstieg on day 6. Not technically difficult nor long, it was quite airy nonetheless.
Saxifrage (Saxifraga caesia) on VF Maximilianstieg day 6
Leslie on VF Maximilianstieg
Csilla and I on the Maximilianstieg. The Rifugio Alpe de Tires is in the right background. Photo by Rolando.
A “Monkshood” meadow seen on the descent of VF Maximilianstieg
Likely Black Vanilla Orchid, seen as I was heading back to the valley and on then to Bolzano on day 6 after the Maximilianstieg

Thanks to Bob for organizing this fantastic trip and to all who joined in climbing in this special area of Italy!

Speaking of which, I’m still in Italy, above Riva del Garda with views to the town, mountains, and Lago Garda. My next blog will be in 2-3 weeks, featuring lower elevation hikes, scrambles, and via ferratas nearby here.

The Vagabond Hiker

Comments

  1. What wonderful pictures and the story covering our adventure! I loved the one of me on VF Maximillianstieg. Did you take that one? It captures the magnitude of the Dolomites, I just love it! I look forward to more adventures. It was great to see you.
    Hugs,
    Leslie

    • Yes, I took all the photos with the exception of the 2 with me in them. It is a great pic of you. I’ll send you a full res version.

  2. What a terrific trip. The rifugio looks fantastic and you’re right about them being in spectacular locations. However, I don’t ever see myself doing via ferratas – toooo scary!

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