Aug 25

Exploring Italy’s Via Ferrata

Guided tours rock! RW guides Daniel Sundqvist and Babsi Glanznig (behind the camera), took our Alpino Wunderbar guests on a Via Ferrata outside of Cortina, Italy. 
Via Ferrata literally means “iron road” in Italian, and many Via Ferratas have their roots in World War I when they were installed to aid troop movements across the rugged peaks of the Italian Dolomites.
Despite the name, a Via Ferrata is certainly not a “road.” Via Ferratas are generally climbing routes with nothing more than a thin steel rope or a small iron step precariously bolted to the rock for safety.
What the Via Ferrata lack in walkability they more than make up for in scenery. The views from these high mountain “paths” are breathtaking. This particular segment crosses Monte Averau (2,649 meters), a tower-like mountain in the Averau-Nuvoleau mountain group of northern Italy’s Dolomite range.
While the troops are long gone, the iron roads remain, and they offer an exhilarating way to explore some of the most rugged corners of the Alps. 
Note: Next Year’s Alpino Wunderbar explores the three alpine villages of Chamonix, France, Courmayeur and Cogne, Italy. Will you join us? Please email us for more details
Photos: by Babsi Glanznig
You Might Also Like...
Imagine stepping back in time, hiking through valleys where the culture feels as untouched as
Explore the charm of inn-to-inn trekking with our handpicked routes across Europe's most magnificent landscapes.
Fall Favorites: Savory Alpine Cuisine Autumn in the Alps offers a wonderful chance to highlight
So far this summer, our adventures have taken us through some of the most stunning
Our Favorite Global Trekking Trips for Fall What do we love about hiking in the
Switzerland's diverse landscapes, rich culture, and stunning natural beauty offer an extraordinary trekking experience. From
A Culinary Adventure Awaits It’s time to lace up your hiking boots, pack your appetite,
The Austrian Alps are known for their stunning limestone peaks and world-famous Mozart villages. Ryder-Walker
If you’re hiking this season, whether with Ryder-Walker or on your own, we have tips
While the characteristic Welsh humility and isolation may have caused the region to escape your
The northern reaches of Scotland are a wild landscape that holds a natural purity and
Unwrap the Gift of Travel this Holiday Season! As we approach the holiday season, the