Cortina d'Ampezzo Via Ferrata

During this week we will visit the best areas around Cortina and Alleghe climbing on the massifs of Sorapiss, Fanes, Tofana di Rozes and Civetta. All the itineraries are spectacular ways to reach the top of the mountains following ridges, climbing exposed walls and narrow gullies. Some of them were historical itineraries used by the army during the First World War.

Taking advantage of the great network of mountain huts, Via Ferrata routes and easy access into the mountains, this is a great trip for advanced climbers that like exposure and have previous experience in Via Ferrata or rock climbing.

A typical day would start around 6-7am with breakfast in the Rifugio then heading out to trek by 8-8.30am. Days vary in length but you can expect to be on your feet for 6-8 hours most days with stops for food and drink.

Packed lunches are taken from the hut each morning.

You would typically arrive at the Rigugio towards late afternoon where you can relax and enjoy the views. Dinner is usually served anytime from 6pm onwards. This is a 3-course evening meal of traditional Italian and SudTirol food. You can buy water, soft drinks, wine and beer in all the Refugio's.

2025

The price includes:

• 6 full days guiding fees & expenses
• 5 nights of HB accommodation in mountain huts
• 2 night of HB accommodation in Cortina (twin-share)
• local transfers by taxi or bus
• equipment hire
  
  

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
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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

• Via Ferrata - 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 fingered 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 Ferrata - 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 Ferrata - 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 Ferrata - 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

• Location

  Cortina d'Ampezzo is a beautiful old town in the heart of the Dolomites with plenty of history. It mixes traditional Italian charm with an Austrian influence from the SudTirol close by.

  The town has hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and continues to host many international sporting events, such as the famous FIS Women's downhill on the Olympia delle Tofane piste.

  The Dolomites offer wonderful alpine scenery with their stunning limestone towers and peaks, the valleys in the summer are lush and green and the mountainsides a wash with alpine flowers. The whole region is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has plenty of world war history as its located on the once fiercely contested Italian - Austro-Hungarian boarder.

• Equipment Hire

  Our guides will provide a harness and Via Ferrate kit and helmet if you require them. They are included in a holiday cost.

• 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.
   

• 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 

   

   

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  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. 
  
    

• About our Guides

  Our Via Ferrate trips are run by our team of IFMGA Mountain Guides. In this region we work with our Italian guide team of Guido and Massimo Candolini, Gianni Dorigo and Andrea Fusari who have grown up in these mountains.

  Trips are run on a maximum ratio of 1:4. Sometimes we run with 2 groups and 2 mountain guides.

• Accommodation Information

  In Cortina we usually stay in the Hotel da Beppe Sello http://www.beppesello.it/ a comfortable 3* hotel in a good location close to the centre of the town. They have comfortable ensuite bedrooms, bar and an excellent restaurant.

  The mountain Refugio's are either dormitory or small room accommodation, all have shared bathroom and shower facilities.

• 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. 

• Skill Level & Pre-Requisites

  You need to have previous climbing experience in Via Ferrata or rock climbing in general to join this trip and you need to be an outdoors type of person with a good head for heights and being comfortable with high exposure.
  The week requires good fitness and stamina levels so you can walk up and down for 6-8 hours per day. It is useful to be a keen hill walker and be comfortable walking on a varied terrain of rocky, alpine paths. Head for heights is a must as some of the sections of the Via Ferrata will be exposed with a large drop on one or both sides.

  You need to have a good upper body strength so you can pull yourself up on fixed cables and ladders. You also need to be able to carry a 35-40l rucksack with all your kit in it for the duration of the trip.