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Via Ferrata
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Via Ferrata
Marino Bianchi


Mountain(s) / Location:
Cristallo Group 		Maximum Height:
3154 m / 10347 ft
Fletcher/Smith Rating: 2B  
Hofler/Werner Rating:   D   		[ Show on Satellite Locator Map ]
This ferrata combines a very, very easy approach (which is via cablecar) with a moderately long and moderately strenuous ferrata. There is basically no approach walk. as of summer 2016, the upper cablecar approach to this ferrata has been shut down due to its old age. not sure if it will reopen The route is quite high in altitude (above 3000m / 10,000 feet), and traverses a wild, rugged ridge to one of the summits of the Cristallo group. Because of its easy approach, likely there will be traffic. With the shutting down of the upper cablecar approach, this is likely to be much quieter now. However, you must hike up steep scree from the top of the lower Rio Gere chairlift.
Regional Locator Map
Annotated Topo Map
Elevation profile over distance
About halfway along highway S48 between Cortina D'Ampezzo and the junction between S48 and S48b, you'll find a cablecar station. This cablecar will take you up, in two stages, to the rifugio Lorenzi Now only one stage, and you must hike up the second section. The rifugio is situated right on the crest of the main ridge of the Cristallo group, and it is itself at a very high altitude. Beware - the second stage of the lift is very old and has these weird little old brightly colored 2-person pods. You can barely stuff two people in them!
The Cristallo
Jenn and Brian on lift
Rickety old ski lift
At the top of the very steep second lift, you are only two or three minutes walk up to the Rifugio Lorenzi, perched precariously on the ridge. Heading inside for a nice spot of tea before embarking on the ferrata is an attractive idea. If you sit at the south-east corner of the dining room, you can look out of the window at the start of the ferrata, right off the edge of the rifugio's deck.
Room for Two
Armchair Ferrata-ists
Swirling Mists
Cold on Deck
Start of Cristallo Ferrata
Cristallo Towers
The ferrata is not particularly steep, at least not at first. It winds its way over and around and in between all sorts of cool towers along the ridgecrest. Basically, the route stays along the ridgecrest all the way to the summit of the Middle Cristallo (which is your destination).
courtesy BConnell
Towards the north
Wild, defiant towers
Magnificent Ridge
There are a few ladders here and there, and a few somewhat airy spots, but nothing overtly bad. It is a moderately long stretch of ferrata, though, so be prepared to be climbing for a while.
courtesy BConnell
courtesy BConnell
Shakey Ladder
Jenn on Ladder
Jenn nears the top
The summit of the middle Cristallo, once you reach it, has a stout cross and an excellent view down into the valley containing Cortina D'ampezzo. As you would expect, there are excellent views in all directions, really. Of note is the small glacier remnants on cirques on the north side of the Cristallo.
View from Cristallo
Brian on Mezzo Cima
Andrew on Summit
There is no option but to downclimb the way you came (another reason why this can be fairly long compared to other ferrata sections). As you descend, you can see the rifugio perched on the ridge far below. The two-way nature of this ferrata also tends to lead to a lot of oncoming traffic.
Rif. Lorenzi from above
Cliffhanger Bridge
Descent to the hut
Once back at the rifugio, your efforts are over, since it is now all cablecar back down to the carpark.
courtesy BConnell
Rifugio G. Lorenzi
Top station signs
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Cristallo Group - click map to view
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Cristallo Group - click to view


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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