Brenta Dolomites Alps Italy via ferrata delle Bocchette

BRENTA DOLOMITES ALPS ITALY - VIA FERRATA BOCCHETTE
Proposal of Mountaineering Alpine School Arco Lake Garda Trentino for the crossing from North to South of Brenta Dolomites in Italy, from lodge to lodge, on the via ferrata Bocchette

The variety of colors, the shapes of the limestone rocks and walls are unique in the world. Pinnacles and amazing walls alternate with colorful green valleys full of forests, meadows, torrents and canyons with huge waterfalls. The dense presence of mountain lodges in the central part of the Brenta Dolomites (one every 2/3 hours walk) does not disturb the environment. The Northern part of the Brenta Dolomites is wilder and has many "malghe" (shelters for the cows). The number of alpinists of the Brenta Dolomites Trentino has decreased in the last years: the alpinists or rock climbers now prefer the more comfortable crags in the valleys, and the tourists prefer a short hike to the first lodge other than an adventure on the difficult paths in the Brenta Group. Who remains on the Brenta walls are only the lovers of via ferrata because here is their Kingdom. The layer conformation of the rocks in the Brenta Dolomites permits the access to the many ledges they cut the big walls trasversally. On these ledges run the via ferrata delle Bocchette, from one pass to another and from lodge to lodge, across the entire Brenta Group.

Rock climbing course in Arco at Lake Garda - Mountaineering courses on the Marmolada Dolomites
Rock climbing course at Lake Garda (2days) with overnight in Hotel (BB), alpine mountaineering course (3 days) and teaching on the glacier and via ferrata in the Marmolada Dolomites Alps of Italy with base in a mountain lodge

Via ferrata courses at Lake Garda Dolomites Alps Italy with mountain guides school Arco
One day rock climbing course on the crags at Lake Garda and 2 days training on the via ferrata in the Dolomites Alps of Trentino in Italy with your English speaking mountain guide, overnight in Hotel (B&B)

Everyone who visits the Brenta Dolomites must have some prior mountaineering and via ferrata experience, a firm step and a good physical condition are prerequisites. The via ferrata delle Bocchette is completely different to the "sports" routes in the valleys. This is why we speak of real mountaineering. In many parts of the routes the cable is not present (impossible to anchor on the rocks) therefore it some rock climbing experience is necessary. Sometimes the use of the rope is indispensable, especially at the beginning of the season, to belay crossing of grooves or frozen sections. The vie ferrate Bocchette del Brenta therefore require a previous mountaineering and via ferrata experience.

The "Via ferrata delle Bocchette centrali" in the Brenta Dolomites at the end of July 2006

The offer of the Alpine mountaineering School Arco consists of the Crossing of Brenta Dolomites from North to the South in five or three days, on the via ferrata Bocchette, with overnight in the mountain lodges.
1st day - starting from Madonna di Campiglio with cableway to Passo del Groste' from where we ascent to the starting point of the first via ferrata called "Sentiero Benini". We cross the walls on almost horizontal ledges and reach an altitude of about 2900 metres. The via ferrata is easy end well equipped but snow or ice can be found often at the beginning and the end of the season. Once in the vicinity of "Bocca di Tukkett" is better go downhill along the via ferrata "Sentiero Dalla Giacoma" on a short path to Rifugio Tukkett - First overnight - Time of the trip: about 6 hours, including rests and slow pace.
2nd day - Our trail continues on the path with via ferrata called "Sentiero Sosat" (we could go on the "Bochette Alte del Brenta", but there more mountaineering experience and use of crampons is necessary). The via ferrata Sosat is easy and scenic, the only difficulty: the famous vertical ladder of 30 metres, the longest of the Brenta Dolomites (our mountain guides have the possibility to belay the participants on the rope). After about a 5/6 hours walk, we reach the Rifugio Alimonta - Second overnight.
3rd day - We ascent the Vedretta (small glacier above the Rifugio Alimonta- sometimes with crampons) to the Bocchetta degli Armi. Here begins the via ferrata "Bocchette centrali" which the most famous and popular of the Brenta Dolomites. In the beginning there is a series of short but vertical ladders and we cross beautiful and comfortable ledges. Furthermore we are continuing to cross through a channel which is often covered by snow and later down to the famous pillar "Campanile basso" and continue horizontally on the ledges which run along the Val Brenta to the Bocca di Brenta. Here we are in the heart of the Brenta Dolomites, enjoying the landscape, we reach the Rifugio Pedrotti alla Tosa in about 10 minutes. - Third overnight - Time of the trip: about 5/6 hours. Important note: the Bocchette Centrali are sometime not equipped with cable and we have to climb belayed on the rope.
Here we can descend to the valley and our 3 days excursion is finished.
4th day - From Rifugio Pedrotti we shortly pass the "Sentiero Palmieri" and we climb up to the gigantic rock pillar of Cima Tosa until the we reach the chimney which signs the starting point of "Via normale alla cima Tosa". Later, after a two hours walk, it is convenient rake a short rest on a very panoramic shoulder "a balcony over the Brenta Dolomites. Here begins our next via ferrata called "Sentiero Brentari". In the beginning we proceed on horizontal ledges and later downhill, with a little complex climb, to the Vedretta d' Ambiez (the longest permanent glacier in the Brenta Group). At the end of the via ferrata, wearing crampons, we descend along the Vedretta d' Ambiez up to Rifugio Agostini - Fourth Overnight - Time of the trip: about 6 hours.
5th day - From rifugio Agostini we climb up with crampons towards the glacier of Vedretta d' Ambiez until we meet the via ferrata called "Sentiero dell' Ideale". At first it is leading us to the Bocca d' Ambiez and then down on the "Sentiero Martinazzi". The path which is sometimes exposed and complex, is leading us below the biggest Wall of the Brenta Dolomites: the "Crozzon di Brenta" and later on an easier path to Rifugio Brentei (possibility of spaghetti and beer). From Rifugio Brentei we descent to car park of Rifugio Vallesinella, on an easy path through the forest, in about two hours. End of our five days trips. The total duration from Rifugio Agostini to Rifugio Vallesinella from 6 to 8 hours, depending on environmental and conditions of the participants.

Grandpa tied with his grandson on the "Bocchette di Brenta", it seems a fairy tale of the old times

When: whenever you want, provided during the week (no week-end) and with reservations 30 days before the date of departure (We have to book the mountain lodge).

How many participants: minimum three, maximum four, possibility with same skills and mountaineering experience.

PRICE: Euro 550,00 per person for the full 5 days trip - Euro 330,00 per person for the 3 days trip
The price including the rental of technical equipment required. Excluding: food and drinks in the mountain lodges (calculate 45 Euro per person per day, if you do not drink too much), excluded fares for cableways.

Via ferrata "Castiglioni" in the Brenta Dolomites, steep, exposed, and ... fantastic

What to bring with you: all the technical equipment is being provided by our Mountaineering School Arco (helmet, harness, crampons, rope, etc.). You just need to bring a pair of solid mountaineering boots.
Regarding the remaining mountaineering equipment such as clothing, we will provide you with a list after the reservation.

How to book or request further information: only by e-mail garda@garda-trekking.de at least thirty days before the start of the trip.

Made by the Mountaineering and rock climbing School Arco Lake Garda Dolomites Italy
WM e-mail: guide@alpinguide.com