The Via Ferrata delle Trincee is an exciting, panoramic and historically interesting via ferrata in the first row north of the Marmolada, on which you can always enjoy wonderful views.
The special thing about the rock here is that it consists of a conglomerate that is completely different from the rock of the surrounding Dolomites. There are significantly fewer natural holds, the rock is smooth, less brittle, darker, but also rougher in dry conditions and therefore offers very good grip, especially for friction climbing. On the other hand, it should be avoided in wet conditions, also because of the steep grassy slopes, which you repeatedly cross via narrow paths in the second section.
The via ferrata offers a crisp entry wall, the C/D section comes right at the beginning, followed by further steep C passages. The route then continues along the top of the ridge, with very exposed climbing and great views. After the first rock (La Mesola), there are two options: you can go left via old positions or climb right to the rock tower Sasso dell'Eremita - level C. We chose option 2, but if you are fast, you can take both options.
In the second part of the ridge there are many walking passages, short easy via ferrata passages, several emplacements and two tunnels from the First World War. The second of these is approx. 300m long and should only be climbed with a headlamp or flashlight. The via ferrata ends here at the Bivacco Bontadini, to the right it goes back below the via ferrata on easy paths.
You can either start from the Fedaia lake or, as we did, take the gondola from Arabba to Porta Vescovo.
Tour data:
Distance: 7.5 km
Altitude: 580 meters (Via ferrata: 380)
Duration: 5-6 hours (Via ferrata: 3)
Music:
Affirmations by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Chasing Daylight by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au