From First Via Ferrata to 11 Routes in a hut to hut of 10 Days: A Grand Via Ferrata Safari Across the Dolomites
When most people think of a multi-day trekking adventure, they imagine hiking from one mountain hut to the next. And that's exactly what an Alta Via is. …But what if, instead of simply hiking, you could climb spectacular via ferratas every day, reaching summits, crossing exposed ridges and exploring the most dramatic mountains in the Dolomites?
That is the idea behind the Grand Via Ferrata Safari. It is an Alta Via through the Dolomites with via ferratas, combining hut-to-hut trekking, easy climbing, breathtaking scenery and authentic mountain hospitality into one unforgettable journey.
If you'd like to learn more about the philosophy behind this adventure, you can also read our article about the Grand Via Ferrata Safari, where we explain why we consider it the ultimate Alta Via through the Dolomites.
Our latest Grand Via Ferrata Safari brought together three wonderful guests. Heidi and Mike travelled from the United States, while Maddie joined us from Scotland, looking for one last great adventure before starting her first full-time job in London.
Although none of them had ever climbed a via ferrata before, they all arrived with the right foundation. Heidi and Mike had previous indoor climbing experience, a valuable advantage when learning how to move confidently on the rock. Maddie brought excellent fitness, solid hiking experience and plenty of enthusiasm.
That combination proved to be the perfect starting point.
Learning Through the Journey
The goal of the Grand Via Ferrata Safari has never been to complete as many via ferratas as possible.
The goal is to experience the Dolomites in the most complete way imaginable.
Every day builds naturally on the previous one. Guests become more confident with the equipment, more efficient in their movements and increasingly comfortable on exposed terrain. As the days go by, the mountains seem to become bigger, but so does everyone's confidence.
Rather than focusing on difficulty alone, the safari is designed as a natural progression, allowing participants to discover what they are capable of while always moving safely under the supervision of an IFMGA Mountain Guide.
Eleven Via Ferratas Across Two Mountain Groups
Over ten unforgettable days we completed 11 spectacular via ferratas, crossing two of the most beautiful mountain groups in the Dolomites.
Our journey included:
Roda di Vael
Santner
Antermoia
Laurenzi
Maximilian
Schuster
Col Rodella & Forcella Sassolungo
Pößnecker
Piccolo Cir
Ferrata delle Trincee
Each route had its own personality.
Some followed elegant ridgelines high above the valleys. Others climbed narrow chimneys or crossed dramatic ledges. Some offered exciting climbing sections, while others rewarded us with endless panoramic views across the UNESCO Dolomites.
No two days ever felt the same.
A Safari Through the Dolomites
What makes the Grand Via Ferrata Safari unique is that it is not based around a single mountain.
Instead, it is a true journey across the Dolomites.
Starting from Bolzano, we crossed the magnificent Rosengarten (Catinaccio) before continuing into the Sassolungo and Sella groups, travelling from the southern Dolomites towards their spectacular central peaks.
Just like on a traditional Alta Via, every day ends at a different mountain hut. But unlike a classic trekking route, each stage also includes one or more unforgettable via ferratas.
It is, quite simply, an Alta Via of the Dolomites with via ferratas.
Over ten days we slept in eight different mountain huts:
Rifugio Fronza alle Coronelle
Rifugio Passo Principe
Rifugio Antermoia
Rifugio Tierseralpl
Rifugio Sassopiatto
Rifugio Des Alpes
Rifugio Col di Lana
Rifugio Viel del Pan
Every hut, every mountain group and every via ferrata had its own unique character.
One Thing They Didn't Expect? The Mountain Huts.
Before arriving in the Dolomites, Heidi, Mike and Maddie imagined mountain huts as many people do: simple shelters, crowded dormitories and just enough comfort to get through the night.
They quickly discovered that Dolomite mountain huts are something entirely different.
Many of the huts along the Grand Via Ferrata Safari feel more like welcoming alpine lodges than basic refuges. After a full day in the mountains, you can enjoy excellent regional cuisine, homemade desserts, local wines or a cold beer on a sunny terrace while surrounded by breathtaking peaks.
Dinner is often one of the highlights of the day, with traditional dishes from South Tyrol and the Dolomites, followed by a hearty breakfast that provides all the energy needed for the next adventure.
And there is another pleasant surprise. If you book well in advance, it is often possible to reserve a private room, making the experience even more comfortable while preserving the authentic atmosphere of a traditional mountain hut.
During this safari we spent our nights in some of the most iconic huts in the Dolomites. Each hut has its own character, spectacular setting and delicious cuisine. These evenings become part of the adventure itself, sharing stories over dinner, enjoying unforgettable sunsets and preparing for the next day's climb.
More Than Just Via Ferratas
Many people imagine a via ferrata holiday as driving from one route to another every morning.
The Grand Via Ferrata Safari is something completely different.
It is a continuous journey through the mountains.
You carry your backpack from hut to hut, wake up surrounded by towering limestone peaks and spend your days moving through one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes on Earth.
The via ferratas are not simply objectives to tick off a list. They are the natural way of travelling through this incredible terrain, allowing you to reach places that hikers alone could never experience.
That is why I call it a Safari.
Every day reveals a new landscape, a new mountain group, new mountain huts and a new adventure.
The goal has never been to complete as many via ferratas as possible. The goal is to experience the Dolomites in the most complete way imaginable.
Safari Highlights
After ten days, eleven via ferratas and countless unforgettable moments, it was time to hand out a few unofficial awards.
The Most Challenging Via Ferrata
Without a doubt, Pößnecker Via Ferrata.
This classic route on the Sella massif has everything that makes Dolomite via ferratas so unique: smooth slabs where careful footwork is essential, narrow chimneys where you push with both your feet and your back, exposed ledges and, after all the climbing is done, a very long walk across the vast Sella plateau before finally descending back to civilization.
A true mountain adventure from start to finish.
The Fanciest Mountain Hut
Rifugio Tierseralpl takes the prize.
Perched in an incredible location beneath the Rosengarten, it feels more like a boutique alpine hotel than a traditional mountain hut. Beautiful architecture, excellent food and one of the most relaxing terraces of the entire safari.
The Most Eagle's Nest Mountain Hut
That award has to go to Rifugio Passo Principe.
Nestled high at Passo Principe and surrounded by towering limestone peaks, it feels like a true eagle's nest. Everything here is built in warm wood, creating a cozy alpine atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home.
The hospitality is delightfully old-fashioned. The hut keeper greets guests by name, takes time to chat and makes everyone feel like a returning friend rather than just another visitor.
And then there is the famous morning cappuccino, the perfect way to wake up before another unforgettable day on the via ferratas.
The Best View from a Mountain Hut
For us, the winner is Rifugio Viel del Pan.
Its terrace hangs above Lake Fedaia with breathtaking views of Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites, and the elegant Gran Vernel. It is the kind of place where dinner lasts a little longer simply because nobody wants to leave the view.
The Most Beautiful Alpine Lake
Lake Antermoia wins without hesitation.
Just a short walk from Rifugio Antermoia, this crystal-clear alpine lake is reached after climbing Via Ferrata Antermoia, which leads to the highest summit of the Rosengarten (Catinaccio) group.
Surrounded by limestone peaks and reflecting the changing colors of the sky, it is one of those places that makes you stop, sit down and simply admire the landscape.
In fact... someone in the group couldn't resist and went for a swim!
The Best Mountain Meal
Choosing just one isn't easy.
The traditional Tris di Canederli, three different South Tyrolean bread dumplings served on the same plate, was an absolute favorite.
But the award for the most satisfying post-via ferrata meal goes to the legendary Climber's Plate: eggs, crispy speck and roasted potatoes. Simple, hearty and exactly what you want after a long day in the mountains.
Is the Grand Via Ferrata Safari Right for You?
You don't need previous via ferrata experience to join this adventure.
A good level of fitness, regular hiking experience and a genuine love for the mountains are far more important.
Previous climbing experience, even indoors, is certainly a plus, but it is not essential.
The safari is designed for adventurous hikers who want to experience the Dolomites beyond ordinary trails and who are excited by the idea of combining trekking, via ferratas, mountain huts and spectacular landscapes into one unforgettable journey.
Ready for Your Own Via Ferrata Safari?
Has this journey inspired you?
Whether you're dreaming of your first via ferrata or you're looking for the ultimate hut-to-hut adventure in the Dolomites, I'd be delighted to help you plan your own safari.
You can choose to explore the spectacular Rosengarten Via Ferrata Safari, discover the dramatic limestone landscapes of the Sassolungo & Sella Via Ferrata Safari, or combine both into the complete Grand Via Ferrata Safari, a unique journey across the Dolomites.
If you'd like to learn more about each itinerary, you can explore:
👉 Rosengarten Via Ferrata Safari
👉 Sassolungo & Sella Via Ferrata Safari
👉 Grand Via Ferrata Safari – The Alta Via of the Dolomites with Via Ferratas
The best mountain huts are often fully booked many months in advance, especially during the summer season. If you're considering a multi-day via ferrata adventure, contact us well in advance so we can secure the best huts and build the perfect itinerary together.
Let's create the most adventurous via ferrata safari in the Dolomites.
