If you're eager to test your limits and tackle one of the most revered adventures the Dolomites are known for, then this is your tour. Over three guided days around Cortina d'Ampezzo, you'll climb via ferratas with a certified UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide. Beginner and pro climbers will enjoy fantastic climbing, delicious mountain meals, and two cozy nights in rifugios surrounded by remarkable peaks like the Tofane and Monte Cristallo.
Highlights
- Experience the thrill of conquering an otherwise inaccessible mountain summit
- Learn and refine via ferrata technique adapted to your level
- Enjoy two nights in a traditional rifugio with dinner and breakfast included
- Benefit from the guidance of a certified UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide every step of the way
Itinerary
The area around Cortina d'Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') holds one of the largest concentrations of via ferrata routes in the Dolomites. These iron paths range from panoramic lines that ease beginners into the climbing world to sustained, technically demanding ascents with serious exposure. Over three guided days, your mountain guide will choose routes – depending on your experience and skill level – from a network that spans multiple mountain groups, including the commanding Tofane massif with summits above 3,200m / 10,500', the world-famous Cinque Torri rock towers, the sweeping ridgelines of Passo Giau, and the dramatic faces of Monte Cristallo. Together you'll move through iron ladders anchored into pale dolomitic rock, cross suspension bridges above open void, and gain stunning views across this UNESCO World Heritage landscape.As the afternoon light softens, you'll reach your rifugio, where two nights above the clouds and fueling up with delicious and hearty alpine food at shared tables make this tour an unforgettable experience. Fill in the form and send your request to our experts to start planning your Via Ferrata Tour today, or take a look at our other multi-day tours and daily via ferrata activities.
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Day 1
Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') at your discretion and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request).
Hotel accommodation is not included in the package. Cortina d'Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks, uniquely sheltered from the cold winds of the north, giving it a pleasantly mild climate that tourists can enjoy year-round. -
Day 2
Into the Vertical World
Today, your vertical journey begins. After meeting your local English-speaking UIAGM/IFMGA professional mountain guide, you'll step into the dramatic landscape of the Dolomites and begin exploring selected via ferrata routes suited to your level and the day's conditions.
There are many options in this area, from easier panoramic lines to more sustained and technical climbs. Your guide will choose the most appropriate route, ensuring the perfect balance between challenge, safety, and pure mountain enjoyment.By midafternoon, you'll reach a traditional mountain hut where a warm dinner and a true alpine atmosphere await. -
Rifugio (B,D)
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Day 3
High Altitude Exploration
Wake up in the heart of the mountains. After breakfast at the rifugio, another full day of vertical exploration awaits. Your guide will select a new via ferrata route, adapting once again to the group and the conditions. Each day builds confidence and rhythm. You'll move more fluidly, trust your equipment, and enjoy the spectacular exposure that makes via ferrata in the Dolomites so unique. In the evening, another welcoming mountain hut offers rest, hearty food, and an unforgettable alpine atmosphere.
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Rifugio (B,D)
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Day 4
Summit and Return
Your final morning begins high above the valleys. After breakfast, one last via ferrata section completes your alpine journey. This is the moment to enjoy how much more confident and at ease you now feel on the rock. By early afternoon, you'll descend back toward the valley where a private transfer returns you to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Three days immersed in the vertical Dolomites: intense, authentic, and unforgettable. -
Day 5
Departure
Leave independently after breakfast (private transfer upon request).
More information
Via Ferrata - ModerateModerate via ferratas (grades 1C–2B), active days but still comfortable. A good balance of hiking and climbing, for those who want to push themselves a little while staying within their comfort zone.
Necessary Equipment – Provided by Dolomite360 on request
For Via Ferrata trips:
- Helmet
- Climbing harness
- Double via ferrata lanyard with shock absorber
The equipment listed above may be included or available for an additional fee based on your selected itinerary. Please refer to the "What's included" section for more details.
Necessary Equipment – Not Provided
Footwear
- Lightweight or mid-weight hiking boots (waterproof, sturdy, with ankle support - helpful for the approach phase)
- For Glacier trips: sturdy boots that accept crampons are required
Clothing
- Long-sleeved synthetic or cotton shirt
- Short-sleeved synthetic or cotton T-shirts
- Regular underwear (synthetics recommended)
- Medium-weight synthetic jacket
- Quick-drying full-length pants
- Shorts
- Lightweight Gore-Tex or equivalent rain/wind jacket and pants
- Baseball cap or wide-brimmed sun hat
- Bandanna
Gear
- Daypack (20L for hotel-based trips; 35L for hut-to-hut trips)
- Waterproof backpack cover
- Water bottle (1-1.5 quart) or hydration system
Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and lip balm
- Personal first-aid kit
- Toiletry kit
- Lightweight socks (liner socks and synthetic athletic socks)
- Silk sleeping bag liner (required for rifugio dormitory accommodation)
- Small amount of laundry detergent for handwashing (if staying the night in a rifugio)
- Ziploc bags for organization
Optional but Useful
- Gloves and warm hat (for high-altitude hikes)
- 3/4-finger leather gloves (for via ferrata)
- Ace bandage or brace for knee/ankle support
- Spare prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Camera with extra batteries or charger
- Swimsuit (some hotels have pools and saunas)
- Casual clothes for evenings
- Via ferrata gloves
Recommended Equipment
Telescopic trekking poles (helpful for the approach phase)
What You Need to Know
Layering for Mountain Weather Summer temperatures can hit 80°F / 25°C in the valleys but drop to 60°F / 15°C on summits during the day and as low as 30°F / 0°C in the evening. Layer up with synthetic fabrics like polypropylene or Capilene®—they wick moisture and dry fast. Wool or wool/synthetic blends work too. Always pack rain gear; mountain weather changes fast.
Footwear Tips Break in new boots before your trip. Pack blister protection like Band-Aid Blister Block—even old shoes can cause trouble on long days.
Trekking Poles Recommended for those that need knee support on descents and added stability.
Rifugio Overnights Many rifugios offer drying facilities, so you can wash and dry clothes overnight for a lighter pack the next day. A silk sleeping bag liner is required for shared dormitory rooms.
More information
Want to learn more about our hospitality? The Dolomites offer a unique culture and history, reflected in every village we visit. We carefully select accommodation to ensure an authentic experience for our guests. You'll also enjoy local cuisine and breathtaking views of the Dolomites!Rifugi – or mountain huts in English – are the classic accommodation for hikers, climbers, mountaineers, and ski mountaineers in the Alps. Set in spectacular locations high in the Dolomites, most rifugi are accessible only on foot, some by cable car, and a few exceptions that are reachable by car. These marvelous establishments are open primarily in the summer, with a select few in winter, and offer meals and sleeping facilities.
The rifugi in the Dolomites are considered the best in the Alps. While some are dormitory style with bunk beds, many meet the standard of a simple guest house with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms, and each has its own unique character and charm. Bedding and linens are provided (in private rooms only), hot showers are available, and meals are served in common dining areas – like a small mountain inn set high in the mountains with the most incredible vistas in the Dolomites. Whether you're hiking in summer or skiing in winter, an overnight rifugio stay is not to miss on a Dolomite holiday.
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