VIA FERRATA SAFARI
Sella Via Ferrata Safari
Guided Hut to Hut Traverse in the Dolomites
SELLA DOLOMITES
UP TO 4+ DAYS
JULY - END OF SEPTEMBER
A guided via ferrata hut to hut traverse crossing the Sella mountain range in the middle of the Dolomites with a 4 day long loop touching the 4 mountain passes around Sella, with your private Mountain Guide! This multi day journey moves between Passo Gardena and Passo Pordoi climbing 5 via ferratas in 4 days, with a beginner - intermediate level of difficulty and a final challenging Via Ferrata!
If you have strong hiking experience and good physical fitness… and are ready to explore the spectacular Sella Group from a vertical perspective, this Via Ferrata Safari is made for you!
Previous experience with via ferrata or climbing is certainly helpful, but it is not essential! We will start with an introductory day on the Piccolo and Grande Cir, gradually getting into the sound of Via Ferrata… before increasing the physical and technical difficulty!
We will then move on to some of the classic via ferrata around the Sella Group, like the Tridentina and Piz da Lech. For those who are very well trained and already have good experience with via ferrata or climbing, the final day can be dedicated to Via Ferrata Piazzetta, one of the most demanding routes in the area. For those who prefer an intermediate technical level, we can propose an alternative via ferrata in the area, while keeping the adventure challenging and rewarding!
The idea is to complete our own via ferrata traverse of the Sella Massif! Starting from Passo Gardena and finishing towards Passo Pordoi, we will cross this spectacular mountain landscape, reaching the summit of the group: Piz Boè!
As with every DolomiteSafari, this is an example itinerary rather than a fixed tour. The length and difficulty can be adapted to your experience, fitness and interests, as well as to weather, mountain conditions and hut availability.
Contact me if you would like to experience only one or a selection of these via ferrata, or if you would like to create your own customised adventure in the Dolomites!
Who is this via ferrata trip for?
Level: Intermediate → Intermediate to Advanced
The first 2 days feature beginner to intermediate via ferratas, requiring very good hiking experience and a good level of fitness. Day 3 is intermediate level, while Day 4 includes an advanced via ferrata, recommended for those with previous via ferrata or rock climbing experience... but an intermediate-level alternative via ferrata is also available on Day 4!
As with all DolomiteSafari adventures, excellent aerobic fitness is required, as you should be comfortable hiking and moving in the mountains for approximately 5–8 hours per day, over several consecutive days.
We’ll help you choose the best Via Ferrata Safari option based on your experience before the trip!
HIGHLIGHTS
Traverse the Sella Massif, starting from Passo Gardena and arriving at Passo Pordoi!
Experience a mix of technical levels: beginner and intermediate climbs, with some airy sections, and get ready for the last challenging climb!
Climb the summit of Piz Boè, with a 360 view around the Dolomites!
Share the tour safely with your mountain guide, benefiting from his experience and knowledge!
Stay in Mountain Huts in the heart of the Dolomites!
DAY BY DAY
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Your Sella Via Ferrata Safari begins as soon as you arrive.
If you are travelling by train, Bolzano is a natural arrival point, with excellent connections from the main cities in northern Italy and beyond. From here, you have several options for your first night, depending on the kind of experience you are looking for.
You can stay in Bolzano, enjoying its beautiful historic centre, restaurants and lively atmosphere, with the mountains already rising above the city.
Or, if you prefer a quieter setting, you can stay in Eppan (Appiano), on the South Tyrolean Wine Road just outside Bolzano. Surrounded by vineyards, castles and countryside, it is a lovely place to spend your first evening before heading into the mountains.
For those who would rather start the Safari already in the mountains, it is also possible to spend the first night in the Passo Gardena area, staying in a hotel or mountain lodge. This gives us the chance to begin our first day directly from the mountains!
There is no single right starting point. We will recommend the best option for you according to your travel plans, interests, accommodation availability and the kind of experience you want from your Dolomites via ferrata adventure.
Accommodation: Bolzano, Eppan or Passo Gardena area
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After breakfast, if we are not already staying in the Passo Gardena area, we transfer to Passo Gardena, the spectacular mountain pass connecting Val Gardena and Val Badia.
From Passo Gardena, we'll climb two of the beautiful Cir via ferratas. First, the Piccolo Cir, a more climbing-oriented and playful route, followed by the Grande Cir, which has more of a scrambling feel and leads to a spectacular summit with 360° views over the Dolomites!
As always, we'll find time to spoil ourselves with a well-deserved lunch or mountain snack at a traditional Dolomites mountain hut, enjoying the views before some deserved relaxation. Tomorrow will be a longer day!
Accommodation: Rifugio of the Dolomites
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Today we will climb the Via Ferrata Tridentina, one of the most famous via ferratas in the Dolomites. We'll start early, making the most of the silence and tranquillity of the mountains before the crowds arrive. We'll climb all the way to its famous suspension bridge, then continue to Rifugio Cavazza for a well-deserved snack or plate of pasta before moving on, into the heart of the Sella massif! We'll spend the night at Rifugio Boè.
Accommodation: Rifugio of the Dolomites
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After breakfast, we'll climb up to the summit of Piz Boè… highly likely that we are going to stop for a second cappuccino along the way! From the summit, we'll descend to Rifugio Kostner, where we'll leave any unnecessary gear before setting off on today's via ferrata: Piz de Lech.
After the route, we'll return to the refuge for a well-deserved evening and another night on another side of the Sella Massif.
Accommodation: Rifugio of the Dolomites
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From the Rifugio, we'll traverse to reach the start of the famous Via Ferrata Piazzetta, our most challenging route of the safari. The ferrata climbs some steep walls towards Piz Boè, following a much more demanding and technical itinerary than yesterday.
From Capanna Piz Fassa, we'll descend towards the Pordoi cable car, which will take us down to Passo Pordoi, where our Sella Dolomites Via Ferrata Safari comes (sadly) to an end!
Accommodation: Hotel
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Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfert to the airport is possible on request).
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels:
Hotel in the Bolzano, Appiano or Passo Gardena, selected for authenticity and a relaxing atmosphere before and after the adventure
Dolomites mountain huts:
The rifugi (traditional alpine mountain huts) offer warm hospitality, spectacular locations and delicious alpine cuisine.
Examples of huts where we may stay during the journey include: Rifugio Cavazza, Rifugio Bon, Rifugio Capanna di Fassa, Rifugio Forcella Pordoi, Rifugio Kostner… Final hut selection may vary depending on availability and the customized itinerary.
COSTS
Our programs are fully customizable: you can choose to join for a single day, multiple days, the full 4 VF day experience or even continue the adventure with new via ferrata! The estimated price per person depends on the number of participants in your group, dates and the accommodation available. We provide professional guidance, travel planning support, and personalized advice to make your Dolomites adventure unforgettable!
Example Estimated Total Trip Budget
Here’s an example to give you an idea of costs for planning purposes:
From €1790 per person
Based on 4 participants · 4 guided days / 5 nights
Contact us for a detailed pricing!
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Help with planning your trip, from getting to the Dolomites, to ideas for relaxing or exploring on your rest days
4 days of professional guiding by a local English-speaking UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide
Trip briefing on day of arrival in the Dolomites
Climbing equipment (harness, helmet, via ferrata set, gloves)
Transfers according to the planned itinerary (chair lifts and cable cars excluded)
2 nights lodging in Hotel/Mountain Lodge (Bed & Breakfast)
3 nights in Rifugio (Half Board): lunch, snacks and drinks are excluded
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DolomiteSafari invoices and collects payment only for guiding services
All accommodation and third-party services are paid directly by the guest to the property
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather or other conditions beyond our control
Contact us for a personalized quote and start planning your ideal Dolomites adventure!
