Bocchette Way Via Ferrata

Millions of years of steady erosion have created narrow natural ledges unique to these mountains. The use of these ledges as routes for non-climbers to journey through the mountains goes back to the 1930s when groups of local climbers and enthusiasts first started to install the ladders, rails, bridges and ropes thus creating a path through the needles, spires and gorges through these wonderful mountains. Bocchette Way is one of the variations of Via Ferrata, starting in Madonna di Campiglio.

This fantastic route is an exciting yet safe journey. The via ferratas used are never technically difficult but they are long and of alpine proportions and there is considerable exposure on some sections. Reasonable fitness, a head for heights and good balance and mobility on rocky, uneven terrain are the pre-requisites.

2025

The price includes:

• 6 full days guiding fees & expenses
• 5 nights of HB accommodation in mountain huts
• 2 night of B&B accommodation in Madonna di Campiglio
  
  

The price does not include:

• lunches & drinks
• ski pass/lift costs
• travel to and from Madonna di Campiglio
• insurance
• equipment hire
• local transfers
  
  

*Single rooms are subject to availability and supplement.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

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ATOL
£2.50 per person of the cost of any air package is paid to the Civil Aviation Authority to provide ATOL Protection to you. This means the money paid for these arrangements is fully protected. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2911. For more information see our booking terms and conditions.
ABTOT
ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in Holiday Information.
Ski Club Winter Arrangements limited (trading as Mountain Tracks)
Registered in England No. 2099115. VAT No. GB 461 5692 34

We accept the following payment methods

This list gives you an idea of the equipment you will need for our Via Ferrate holidays in the Dolomites. 

During the summer months the weather in the mountains is usually sunny with warm temperatures and you will find that often t-shirts and shorts can be worn throughout the day.

However the weather changes quickly and you always need to be prepared for cold and wet weather – we recommend that you bring 2-3 thin layers that you are able to put on/take off as the conditions change. Thin layers also allow better movement as opposed to one layer of bulky clothing.

On the Dolomites trips you will need to carry a pack with most of the gear that you require for the trip as you will be spending nights high in the mountains in one of the rifugios (alpine huts).

Try to limit the amount of gear you carry. Once you’re in the mountains you’ll quickly realise the benefit of ‘travelling light”.

If you are uncertain or need further information, please contact us.

• Via Ferrate - Clothing

  • Base Layer Top and Bottoms - 1-2 thermal tops and 1 pair longjohns

  • 2 midweight fleece tops or 1 fleece and 1 lightweight duvet jacket - More thin layers is preferable to fewer thick layers between your skin and the outer shell as it gives better heat retention and good flexibility

  • Lightweight trekking trousers

  • Walking shorts or a pair of trousers with zip-off legs

  • Weather Layer Top - Gore-Tex or other waterproof breathable jackets

  • Shirts - Long-sleeved and short-sleeved cotton or synthetic shirts

  • Lightweight over-trousers with long side zips

  • Sun hat and warm hat

  • Gloves - it is important to have a pair of gloves for Via Ferrata which are durable and robust, half-finger gloves are a good option Another option is to use some full or half finger cycling gloves 

  • A pair of warm waterproof gloves in the event of cold weather

  • Gaiters - Good fitting pair of ankle gaiters to keep socks and boots dry

  • 3-4 pairs of good quality socks

• Via Ferrate - Footwear

  You will need a good hiking or lightweight mountaineering boot that can take either a strap-on or clip-on crampon.  Key features of a good hiking boot include vibram soles, reversed leather uppers (which protects the best site of the leather from scuffing and abrasion and improves durability and water resistance) and ankle flex and a higher cut which give control, mobility and support.

• Via Ferrate - Technical

  Essential items: 

  • VF shock absorbers

  • Harness - sit harness with adjustable leg loops and large enough to be worn over all clothing layers

  • Helmet

  • Slings and karabiners

   

  The following items may be required depending on the conditions: 

   

  • Ice Axe - general mountaineering axe – 55-70cms long depending on your height

  • Boot crampons with anti-balling plates

   

  All items can be hired from our guides.

• Via Ferrate - Miscellaneous
   

  • A rucksack with the capacity of between 35 - 40 liters
  • Lightweight sleeping bag liner - now compulsory in all alpine mountain huts
  • Water bottle (at least 1 liter) or Thermos
  • Head torch spare with batteries
  • Penknife
  • Personal medications and first aid kit for blisters, sunburn and headaches (Note: Guides will have comprehensive first aid kits and are qualified in mountain first aid)
  • Adjustable trekking pole(s)
  • Sun Glasses, minimum category 3 for high altitude
  • Sunscreen and Lip Protection
  • Snack food - we advise you take some of your favourite hill snacks with you for each day to supplement food you can buy for lunches in the huts
  • Duffel bag - for gear not required on the trip. Will be left at first hotel and collected on return
  • Passport
  • Money - You will need some cash for food and drinks. There are ATMs in the towns plus most hotels, shops and restaurants will accept credit cards. Huts are also increasingly able to accept credit cards but many still only take cash (Euros or Swiss Francs depending on the trip)
  • Small wash kit with quick drying towel
  • Alpine club card if you are a member of one
  • Book, diary, pen, playing cards - for afternoons/evenings in the hut

• Insurance

  It is a condition of booking that you are insured for your chosen activity and the cover must include medical expenses, personal accident, personal liability, third party risks and rescue (including helicopter rescue). You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.

  For UK residents Ski Club Travel Insurance may be a suitable option.

  For more details and to purchase a policy online visit http://www.skiclubinsurance.co.uk/
  If you need assistance arranging your personal insurance please let us know.
   

• Getting to Madonna di Campiglio

  The closest airports are Verona, Venice, Brescia and Milan. We generally recommend travel to Venice or Milan-Bergamo. The transfer from either airport to Madonna di Campiglio requires a combination of train and bus travel and takes at least 3-4 hours. For groups of 3-4 people car hire is often the best option.

  For train schedules click on http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en 

  There are some links on this page to bus timetables from Trento and Brescia http://www.campiglio.it/orari/ 

• ETIAS & EES

  ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) 

  1. What is ETIAS?

     • Starting in the first half of 2025, travellers from over 60 visa-exempt countries will be required to have an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter most European countries within the Schengen Area.
     • ETIAS enhances security by checking the details of travellers before they arrive.
     • It is similar to systems like the ESTA (USA) and eTA (Canada).

  2. Who Needs ETIAS?

     • Travellers with British passports or passports from other visa-exempt countries must complete the ETIAS process.
     • Holders of EU or Schengen Area passports or valid EU/Schengen Area visas are exempt.

  3. Application Details:

     • ETIAS costs a 7EUR processing fee, waived for those under 18 or over 70.
     • Validity: Three years from application, tied to your passport’s validity.
     • New passport = new ETIAS.

  4. Application Form Questions:

     • Basic personal details (e.g., passport info, name, address, citizenship, gender).
     • Additional questions during the process (e.g., criminal history, past travel, health).

  5. Application Fee:

     • 7EUR euros.
     • Electronic payment via debit/credit card.

  6. Approval:

     • Most applicants receive approval within minutes.
     • Valid ETIAS visa waiver for three consecutive years.

  Remember to apply for ETIAS approval to explore your favourite European destinations! More details will be confirmed by ETIAS authorities. You can find additional information at the following links:

  • ETIAS Official Website 

   

   

  ---

  EES (Entry/Exit System)

  The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system developed by the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems. Its primary purpose is to register travellers from third countries each time they cross an EU external border. Here are the key points:

  1. What is EES?

     • The EES is an automated IT system designed for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay.
     • It records and stores the date, time, and place of entry and exit when these travellers cross the external borders of European countries using the EES.
     • The system calculates the duration of the authorized stay and generates alerts to EU Member States when the authorized stay expires.

  2. Who Is Affected?

     • The EES applies to non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180 days) to European countries using the EES.
     • Exemptions apply; for example, holders of EU or Schengen Area passports or valid visas are exempt from EES registration.

  3. Advantages of EES:

     • Saves time by replacing manual passport stamping.
     • Automates border control procedures for more efficient travel.
     • It helps identify travellers who overstay or use fake identities or passports.
     • Contributes to preventing, detecting, and investigating serious criminal offences.

  • EES Official Website

   Remember, additional information about the EES system will be confirmed by authorities, including application acceptance details. For further resources, check out the ETIAS and the official EES website. 
  
    

• Guide Information

  Our Bocchette Way Via Ferrata trips are usually led by Guido Candolini or one of his team of IFMGA Mountain Guides from Inmont Guides. We have worked with them for several years and they are extremely professional and popular guides.  They all speak good English and will ensure your week is fun and rewarding and totally safe.

  The maximum guide-client ratio for the Via Ferrata is 1:5.

   

• Recommended Reading

  Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites: Vol 2. Published by Cicerone.

• Accommodation Information

  In Madonna di Campiglio our preferred hotel is the Hotel Cima D'Oro a comfortable 3* hotel, they offer spacious rooms with great views of the mountains, a comfortable lounge and breakfast area with WIFI, games room, sauna, jacuzzi, steam bath and free car parking.  You can see more information on the hotel here: http://www.hotelcimedorocampiglio.it/en/ 

  Throughout the week we stay in mountain lodges, known as rifugi. The rifugi in the Dolomites are like little guesthouses: very cosy and comfortable when compared to the rifugi in the Western Alps. However they are not hotels and the lack of privacy make this experience suitable for flexible and group oriented people! In some rifugi hot showers are available for a small extra charge.

• Trip level & Stamina requirements

  To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, all participants must meet the specified skill and stamina levels required for each trip, as outlined on the trip’s page at the time of booking.

  Please keep the following in mind:

  1. Trip Requirements: Before booking your trip, please review and confirm that you meet the necessary skill and stamina levels. These requirements are in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

  2. Guides' Discretion: Our guides and instructors are dedicated to maintaining the highest safety standards. They have the authority to exclude any participant who does not meet the required skill or stamina levels or whose participation could compromise the group's safety. This decision will be made with the utmost consideration.

  3. Responsibility for Costs: Should you be unable to continue with the trip due to inadequate skill or stamina, any additional expenses incurred will be your responsibility.

  We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Our goal is to provide a memorable and safe adventure for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns about the requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

  For further information please refer to the Terms & Conditions.