VIA FERRATAS SOUTH TYROL / TRENTINO
EISACKTAL AND WIPPTAL
The finest via ferratas in the Eisacktal and Wipptal valleys
Pfitsch
Ölberg (C)
This wonderfully sunny via ferrata on the south side of the Ölberg climbs surprisingly steeply through the rock faces on the valley floor of the Pfitschtal. This makes for wonderful views down into the valley and some very beautiful climbing passages. Practically no approach and a short descent with a suspension bridge are further highlights of this via ferrata.
Ratschings
Ibex via ferrata (C)
A very beautiful via ferrata with a short approach close to the valley floor of Ratschings, offering several variants and possible combinations. There is also a somewhat easier children's via ferrata (B/C) as well as the much longer main via ferrata, which guarantees a complete via ferrata experience.
PUSTERTAL / AHRNTAL
The most beautiful via ferratas in the Pustertal and Ahrntal
Sand in Taufers
Speikboden via ferrata (C)
Another ideal via ferrata for beginners on the Speikboden is this one. If you'd like to try your hand at clipping into the steel cables, this is the perfect starting point. The via ferrata is very well protected, and the most demanding section comes right at the start, with the option of bailing out via the emergency exit and doing something easier close by.
St. Vigil in Enneberg
Piz da Peres via ferrata (C/D)
The new via ferrata on Piz da Peres opened in 2022 and immediately became very popular. No wonder: moderate difficulties on a very beautiful panoramic mountain on the northernmost edge of the Dolomites make for ideal conditions for a brilliant via ferrata day with a superb panorama from the summit.
Ahornach
Hans Kammerlander via ferrata (E)
Nomen est omen. The via ferrata named after extreme mountaineer Hans Kammerlander, in his home village of Ahornach, truly lives up to its name. An extremely demanding and difficult via ferrata up a 300-metre vertical rock face, it calls for absolute commitment and technical climbing skill. This via ferrata is reserved for very experienced and strong via ferrata climbers only. Huge exposure and fantastic views straight down require a head for heights and strong nerves.
SARNTAL ALPS
The finest via ferratas in the Sarntal Alps
Ifinger
Heini Holzer via ferrata (B/C)
A long, enjoyable via ferrata of medium difficulty with a beautiful panorama over Merano. A great mountain experience for the whole family too, onto a beautiful summit with wonderful all-round views of the surrounding Sarntal Alps in the heart of South Tyrol and deep into the Vinschgau.
VINSCHGAU
The most beautiful via ferratas in the Vinschgau
Naturns
Hoachwool (D)
An impressive via ferrata which, despite being close to the valley with practically no approach, is one of the most demanding and longest via ferrata routes in South Tyrol. It takes its name from the historic Waal irrigation systems in the Vinschgau. These are old wooden irrigation channels that carried water – so precious in the very dry Vinschgau – right through the steep rock faces to the various farmland areas.
Passeiertal
Stuller Waterfall (D)
At one of the highest waterfalls in Italy, this impressive via ferrata runs alongside the roaring torrent of the Stuller Bach, which plunges into the depths in two tiers. In addition to the "normal" variant (D), which is easily challenging enough for most via ferrata climbers, its 4 sections also offer extreme variants up to difficulty E/F.
Sulden
Tabaretta Via Ferrata (E)
The backdrop for this extreme classic among South Tyrol's via ferratas could hardly be more impressive. Directly beneath the north faces of King Ortler (the highest summit in South Tyrol), a very demanding via ferrata leads almost vertically through the 500-metre rock face that separates the Tabarettahütte from the Payerhütte.
UNTERLAND
The finest via ferratas in South Tyrol's Unterland
Fennberg
Fennberg via ferrata (C)
In the Unterland, on the border between South Tyrol and Trentino, this beautiful via ferrata runs high above the vineyards of the Etsch Valley. Almost all year round, you can soak up plenty of sunshine here on the eastern flank of the Fennberg. In summer, however, it is usually very hot because of its aspect and altitude, so it is best done in spring or autumn.
TRENTINO
The most beautiful via ferratas in Trentino
Mezzocorona
Burrone Gorge (B)
This beautiful classic high above Mezzocorona leads through a deep gorge in outstanding scenery and, thanks to its low difficulty, the relatively short approach and the option of taking a spectacular cable car back down to the valley, is also an ideal via ferrata for families.
Mezzolombardo
Val del Ri Via Ferrata (C)
A modern and very varied via ferrata through the Val del Ri gorge above Mezzolombardo which, together with the two other gorges, Burrone and Rio Secco, around Mezzocorona in the Adige Valley, makes up a beautiful gorge trilogy. The Val del Ri via ferrata has several rope bridges where the roaring stream far below is crossed again and again in spectacular fashion; afterwards you climb up the flanks of the canyon and alongside impressive waterfalls.
San Michele
Rio Secco (C)
A classic in the Adige Valley is the Rio Secco via ferrata, which leads through the canyon above San Michele in several punchy steep steps. The name suggests that the stream bed is dry, but this is usually only the case in autumn. Even so, thanks to its aspect and low altitude, this via ferrata can be climbed practically all year round.
LAKE GARDA
The most beautiful via ferratas around Lake Garda
Via ferrata Lake Garda
Various via ferratas
While there is still plenty of snow on the peaks of the Dolomites and the first spring flowers are only slowly starting to bloom in South Tyrol, just an hour's drive south it is often already T-shirt and gelato weather. Lake Garda has a large number of great via ferratas of all levels of difficulty, which are ideal even in the cooler months. We round off these wonderful days with an ice cream or a Veneziano on the piazza in Arco, Riva or right on the shore of Lake Garda.
