Via Ferrata - Protected Climbing Paths in the Dolomites - Via Ferrata Cristallo -

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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

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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