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Via Ferrata
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Via Ferrata
Col dei Bos


Mountain(s) / Location:
Fanes Group 		Maximum Height:
2519 m / 8265 ft
Fletcher/Smith Rating: 3B  
Hofler/Werner Rating:   -   		[ Show on Satellite Locator Map ]
The Via Ferrata al Col dei Bos (aka VF degli Alpini) is a straightforward mid-grade ferrata route not far west of Cortina D'Ampezzo. It is situated quite close to highway 48, and its easy access combined with modest overall distance (less than 4km total trip distance) make it ideal for a good half-day ferrata climb.

This ferrata route is fairly new, apparently having been created in the 2000s by the Italian military for training purposes (and probably why the route is also commonly known as the VF degli Alpini). The route is also open to the public, and it attracts that public in great numbers - especially on nice weekend days in the summer, when than can be queueing.
Strobel Parking Lot
There are several trails that start from SR48 that can be used to access the start of the ferrata. The easiest and shortest access point, though, is from the parking lot next to the Strobel cafe and grille, located approximately one kilometre east of the height of land (Passo Falzarego) along SR48. There is ample parking here.
Connector Trail
At the northern boundary of the parking lot, a signed path leads up towards the Torri del Falzarego, which (appropriately) tower above you. The signs are un-numbered, but still indicate the way to your destination. Note that the sign is marked "Via Ferrata degli Alpini" and not "VF al Col dei Bos".

After 15 minutes of uphill walking through open Larch forest, one arrives at a junction with a flat east-west trail. The signs for the VF degli Alpini / VF al col dei Bos indicate that you turn right.
Un-numbered Junction
A couple of minutes' worth of walking along flat trail (actually an old military road) brings you to the ruins of the World War I army hospital for the 5th brigade of the Italian Alpini mountain troops. The ruins are fairly extensive and interesting.

The ruins of the old hospital are also where you get your first full-on view of the Col dei Bos - a stocky pyramid of solid rock rising straight ahead. The ferrata climbs the face of this big formation.
Ospedaletti
Pointing to start
Col dei Bos
Immediately beyond the old hospital ruins, another trail sign points the way to the start of the ferrata (marked "Ferrata degli Alpini"). A smaller footpath branches off to the left and heads diagonally across and up a sometimes grassy, sometimes bouldery slope. With the exception of one semi-switchback, the path heads directly for the base of the mass of the Col dei Bos and the start of the ferrata. Very likely you'll be able to see other climbers milling about at the start. The total distance from the sign to the ferrata start is perhaps 200 metres.
Start of VF degli Alpini
The ferrata starts off boldly, climbing straight up a rib of rock that has been somewhat worn smooth by climber traffic. There are very few climbing aids other than the wire. It almost feels like a grade 4 off of the start.
Starting off steep
After about ten metres of strenuous climbing, the wire turns and climbs more diagonally, and the difficulty quickly lessens. What follows are a series of short, steep sections followed by easier stretches. There is an occasional single stemple or peg here and there, but for the most part, the climbing is all on the rock.
courtesy RHanel
Starting off
Starting up a grade 3
Easy Ramp
The protection itself is completely first-rate, with tightly-fixed wires and modern shock-absorber cones at each attachment point.

A combination of easy ramps and small steep sections (a couple of which are fairly exposed) continue as the route winds its way up the broad nose of the Col dei Bos. After climbing up about 230 vertical metres of elevation, the wires end atop a small craggy bump. A bit of earthy path leads from the bump to the next section of the main wall, and the wires resume.
Another steep bit
Exposed side-scramble
Exposed traverse
Climbing up to a point
Over a point
Unprotected section
At this point, you are almost done. A final section of perhaps 70 metres of wire allow you to climb up to the edge of a broad, grassy area, which marks the end of the ferrata. Some distance away there is a final cliff band, atop which is the the summit of the Col dei Bos, but the ferrata does not climb this final cliff.
courtesy JInnes
Top end of Route
Way up, Way down
Starting the walk down
The way down is quite straightforward. Turn left (northward) and follow an earthy path that leads across grassy slopes, skirting the cliffs which drop off to the left. The path will traverse for a bit, then lead into a col made of distinctively red earth. At the low point in this col, another footpath (unsigned) turns left, heading down into a steep gully. The footpath is quite well defined and switchbacked, and will lead you down in short order to rejoin the approach path right next to the old hospital ruins. Along the descent, you can look up to your left and see the route you just climbed highlighted against the skyline.
courtesy JInnes
Cloudy descent
VF al Col dei Bos
VF al Col dei Bos
Third perspective
Once at the old hospital ruins, it is a simple matter to retrace your steps back west along the old military road, then down the un-numbered trail to the Strobel parking lot.
Interactive trackmap with photo points - VF al Col dei Bos - click map to view
Interactive trackmap with photo points - VF al Col dei Bos - click to view
VF Col dei Bos - Climb Data
Start Time: 9:42a.m.
End Time: 1:30p.m.
Duration: 3h47m
Distance: 3.46 km (2.15 mi)
Average Speed: 0.9 km/hr (0.6 mph)
Start Elevation: 6756ft (2059m) *
Max Elevation: 8271ft (2521m) *
Min Elevation: 6756ft (2059m) *
End Elevation: 6803ft (2074m) *
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 1487ft (453m) *
Total Elevation Loss: 1440ft (439m) *
 
 
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph


Quick Reference Ferrate Route Index
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 -
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 -
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 -
Monte Casale Via Ferrata Che Guevara 1632m / 5350' 3C -
Monte Rochetta / Piccoli Dolomiti Via Ferrata Fausto Susatti 900m / 3000' 2A -
Monte Rochetta / Piccoli Dolomiti Via Ferrata del Centenario SAT 1250m / 4100' 3A -
Monte Baldo / Piccoli Dolomiti Via Ferrata delle Taccole 2150m / 7050' 4A -
n/a Sentiero Attrezzato Rio Sallagoni 400m / 1325' 4A -
Fanes Group Via Ferrata Cesco Tomaselli 2970m / 9733' 5C F
Fanes Group V.F. Tomaselli Descent Route 2970m / 9733' 3C -
Fanes Group V.F. al Col dei Bos / degli Alpini 2519m / 8265' 3B -
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
Pala / Pale Group Sentiero Attrezzato Camillo Depaoli 2326m / 7830' 1A -
Pala / Pale Group Sentiero Attrezzato Dino Buzzati 2500m / 8200' 2C C
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 -
Sesto Group Ferrata Nord (al Croda Rossa di Sesto) 2933m / 9624' 2B B
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 -
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
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