Inaugurated in 1972, this via ferrata route follows an Austrian trench line along the Mesola and Mesolina ridge. In English, the name of the route translates to “Via Ferrata of the Trenches.”
Summary
Grade: C/D – view topo
Vertical: 380m ferrata, 670m total
Time: 1h30min approach, 3h ferrata, 1h45min descent, 6h15min total
Access / Parking: 46.4640,11.8616 – Google Maps or any Android maps app
Start via ferrata: 46.4729,11.8737 – Mapy.cz or any Android maps app
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Map and photos
Access
We can reach the dam of Lake Fedaia (Lago Fedaia), located at the western end of the lake, by car or bus. The parking area here is busier than those on the eastern side of the lake, near Passo Fedaia. There are descent options for both parking locations.
Approach to start
From Rifugio Castiglioni at the dam, we hike north on the marked path 698 to Portavescovo, where a cable car from Arabba also arrives. If we take the cable car, we can avoid the ascent on foot.
From Portavescovo, we head east following the trail markings, then turn north and hike the final zig-zag path to the start of the via ferrata cable. A small meadow at the base of the rock provides a good place to gear up.
If we park near Passo Fedaia, we can either bike, walk, hitchhike, or take the bus to Rifugio Castiglioni at the dam and continue the approach as described above. Alternatively, we can start hiking directly from Passo Fedaia on paths 42 and then 680 toward Portavescovo and Rifugio Luigi Gorza. After passing the ridge, we turn north at a crossing to arrive at the base of the wall where the via ferrata starts.
The route
This via ferrata is different from most routes in the Dolomites due to its smooth, dark conglomerate rock. The entry wall will test your climbing skills with a steep and smooth slab, which is the most technically challenging part of the route.
We continue with an airy ridge and a short bridge, then up and past Mesola peak (2727 m) before downclimbing to complete the first third of the route.
Here, we have the optional but highly recommended climb to Torre dell’Eremita, added to the tour by the CAI of Arabba in 2019.
In the second part, the cable takes us through two war tunnels. We exit the second one, the longest, near Bivacco Bontadini. From here, we can either climb to Mesolina (2642 m), which is partially secured, or begin the descent.
In terms of views, throughout almost the entire ascent, we can enjoy views towards the Sella group in the north and the Marmolada in the south, with Lake Fedaia below.
Descent
Descend on the zig-zag path to Rifugio Padon, from where you have two options:
- If you parked at the dam, from Padon hut you follow Sentiero Geologico Arabba and path 680, which runs parallel to the ferrata, below it, until you cross path 698, used on approach, and follow it down to the lake. You will intersect an unmarked path as well, which is the fastest way down. If coming from Arabba, you need to hike back up to Portavescovo for the cable car descent.
- If you parked near Passo Fedaia, from Padon hut you descend on path 699 straight to this starting point.
Good to know
- In 2003 the via ferrata and the Bontadini bivouac were renovated.
- Although you need stable weather for this ridge tour as well, it can be an alternative for when you have unstable weather for other via ferratas at higher elevations.
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Video
Weather
Main sources
- bergsteigen.com (German)
- ferrate365.it
- we climbed the route on August 27, 2019