Gran Cir / Grosse Tschierspitze

Mountain(s) / Location: Gran Cir / Grosse Tschierspitze	Maximum Height: 2592 m / 8503 ft
Fletcher/Smith Rating: 1A Hofler/Werner Rating: A	[ Show on Satellite Locator Map ]

Piz da Cir V / Tschierspitze V

Mountain(s) / Location: Piz da Cir V / Tschierspitze V	Maximum Height: 2825 m / 9267 ft
Fletcher/Smith Rating: 2A Hofler/Werner Rating: C	[ Show on Satellite Locator Map ]

Two distinct ferrate, both accessible from Gardena pass. They are short. Both can be completed in a half-day. Both offer similar views - however the Grosse Tschierspitze is almost nothing more than a walk-up, whereas the Tschierspitze V has actual climbing and exposure, along with a neat little pinnacle of a summit.

Starting from one of the parking lots very close to the summit of the Gardena pass, choose a trail or walk up open ski slopes and pastureland to the north, towards the jagged ridgeline. The Grosse Tschierspitze is clearly visible, sporting a large cross on its summit; The Tschierspitze V is the fifth peak from the left of the Grosse Tschierspitze. Behind you to the south, the northern flanks of the Sella group are very close.

To the Gross Tschierzpitze (Gran Cir):

Once above the ski area, choose a path that leads east below the cliffs, keeping in mind that you must ascend the deep gully to the left of the Grosse Tschierspitze itself. The path will lead into and up the gully, where you will find the first bit of wire. The ferrata section is very easy, and could be walked without the aid of a wire, although there is a bit of exposure.

After this initial section, the route alternates between un-aided path and sections of wire. The route switchbacks back and forth until soon the summit is reached. There are many nice views down into the Gardena Pass area on the way up.

To the Tschierzpitze V (Cir V):

The Tschierspitze V is considerably more of a challenge than the Grosse Tschierspitze (although in the grand scheme of things they may not mean much since the GT is so easy). Although the T.V. short, it is steep and has lots of exposure. If you like that kind of thing, this little Ferrata is a great warmup! As mentioned earlier, both this and the Grosse Tschierspitze can be completed in half a day. Either one could be completed in 2 to 3 hours.

When hiking up from the pass, keep in mind that the Tschierspitze V is the fifth major peak left from the Grosse Tschierspitze (which itself is indicated by a big cross on the summit). When you get above the ski lifts, make sure you aim for the ridge at the foot of this fifth peak. Follow the ridgeline upwards. You should notice some red blazes here and there, and the ridgeline should have a small gulley near it that leads up, parallel with it (again, there are some red marks that should help guide you). After not very long (maybe 100m or so in altitude), you should arrive at the start of the ferrata, right on the crest of the ridge that leads south from the peak.

The wires start up immediately exposed and airy and steep. There are one or two small platforms, and then the final summit block is reached, which has one more short steep section of ferrata. The summit itself is a neat tiny pinnacle with lots of exposure everywhere. Lots of fun!

Just to the north of the summit pinnacle a bit of ferrata leads down into the large gulley separating the Tschiersptize V with the next summit (which I presume would be named the Tschierspitze IV, but I'm not sure). This is the descent route; soon the wire ropes end and it is just a simple scramble down the gulley to the area near the start point of the ferrata.

This is quite a fun short route. An excellent introduction to a more difficult ferrata; very short!

Mountain(s)	Name of Route	Height	Difficulty1*	Difficulty2**
Latemar Group	S.A. Campanili del Latemar	2846m / 9337'	2C	B
Punta Polse	V.F. Attilio Sieff	1450m / 4757'	2A	N/A
Cima Dodici & Sass Aut	V.F. Franco Gadotti	2637m / 8651'	2C	C
Gran Cir / Grosse Tschierspitze	Gran Cir / Grosse Tschierspitze	2592m / 8503'	1A	A
Piz da Cir V / Tschierspitze V	Piz da Cir V / Tschierspitze V	2520m / 8267'	2A	C
Exner Tower, Sella Group	VF Brigata Tridentina (aka Pisciadu Climbing Path)	2585m / 8480'	3B	D
Little Lagazuoi	Lagazuoi Tunnels	2752m / 9028'	1A	A
Col Rosa	V.F. Ettore Bovero	2166m / 7106'	3B	E
Punta Fiammes	V.F. Michielli Strobel	2240m / 7348'	3B	D
n/a	V.F. Giovanni Barbara	1400m / 4593'	1A	C
Masare	V.F. Masare	2727m / 8946'	2B	C
Roda de Vael (Rotwand)	V.F. Roda de Vael (Rotwand)	2806m / 9205'	1B	C
Cima Auta	V.F. Paolin-Piccolin	2624m / 8608'	3B	C
n/a	V.F. Canalone	1700m / 5577'	4A	N/A
Colac	V.F. dei Finanzieri	2715m / 8907'	3C	E
La Mesola / Padon ridge	V.F. delle trincee	2727m / 8946'	4B	F
Piz da Lec	V.F. Piz da Lec	2910m / 9547'	3B	D
Cima di Mezzo, Cristallo Group	V.F. Marino Bianchi	3154m / 10,347'	2B	D
Brenta Group	Via delle Bocchette Centrale	2800m / 9186'	3C	D
Pasubio Group	Sentiero Attrezzato Gaetano Falcipieri	2040m / 6690'	2A	N/A
Monte Casale	Via Ferrata Che Guevara	1632m / 5350'	3C	N/A
Monte Rochetta / Piccoli Dolomiti	Via Ferrata del Centenario SAT	1250m / 4100'	3A	N/A
n/a	Sentiero Attrezzato Rio Sallagoni	400m / 1325'	4A	N/A
Fanes Group	Via Ferrata Cesco Tomaselli	2970m / 9733'	5C	F
Fanes Group	V.F. Tomaselli Descent Route	2970m / 9733'	3C	-
Monte Lessini / Vicentine Alps	Via Ferrata Carlo Campalani	2157m / 7076'	3B	-
Monte Lessini / Vicentine Alps	Sentiero Alpinistico Angelo Pojesi	1967m / 6455'	2B	-
Shoulder of Cimon della Pala / Pale Group	Via Ferrata Bolver Luigi	3005m / 9860'	4C	F
Monte Civetta / Civetta Group	Via Ferrata Alleghesi	3220m / 10,560'	4C	E
Sesto Group	Sentiero De Luca / Innerkofler	2640m / 8660'	2B	D
Sesto Group	Via Ferrata delle Scalette	2618m / 8588'	3B	D
Sesto Group	Sentiero Curato Militare Hosp	2618m / 8588'	2A	-
Punta Anna / Tofana Group	Via Ferrata Punta Anna	2740m / 9000'	5C	F
Tofana di Mezzo / Tofana Group	Via Ferrata Gianni Aglio	3244m / 10,650'	5C	F
n/a	Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona	3008m / 9900'	2B	C
Tofana Group	Sentiero Astaldi	2303m / 7553'	1A	N/A
Brenta Group	Sentiero SOSAT	2449m / 8036'	2B	D
Brenta Group	Sentiero Oliva Detassis	2822m / 9260'	4B	-
Brenta Group	Sentiero Bocchette Alte	2998m / 9836'	4C	E
Brenta Group	Sentiero Afredo Benini	2901m / 9517'	2C	D

(*) Difficulty rating from the newer Cicerone Guide by Fletcher and Smith
(**) Difficulty rating from older Cicerone Guide by Hofler/Werner