Via Ferrata Catinaccio di Antermoia
Base Town: Vigo di Fassa in Val di Fassa, South Tyrol; Transportation: Catinaccio cable car to Valle di Vajolet and then foot to Passo Principe; Loop Trail from Rifugio Passo Principe ~3 hours
Via Ferrata Catinaccio d’Antermoia (also called Kesselkogel) assists climbers summiting the highest peak of the Catinaccio Group (aka Rosengarten), marked by a prominent cross at 3,002 meters (9,850 feet) above sea level. The first recorded ascent of this summit occurred in the summer of 1872. In 1906, the German Alpine Club installed a fully equipped via ferrata for recreational use by amateur holiday climbers. For over 150 years, Rosengarten has been a playground for climbers and Via Ferrata Catinaccio d’Antermoia is the crown jewel of this region!
During our 2 month adventure in the Italian Dolomites, we hiked this course twice. The first time was during our Unusual 5 Night Trek in Rosengarten and then again during our 2 Night Grand Finale Trek in Rosengarten. Both times, we stayed at Rifugio Passo Principe and did the loop clock-wise in about 3 hours. The start of the course is just up the short hill opposite the hut.
The course is rated A/B, so it’s not technically difficult. There are solid cables, ladders, and holds in all the right places. The ridge at the summit, though, is quite exposed, but this provides exceptionally unobstructed 360 degree views of Valle di Vajolet on one side and Valle di Antermoia (and beyond) on the opposite side!
After passing the cross at the summit, the trail heads down the backside of Catinaccio, with absolutely stunning views of almost everything that matters in this area of the Dolomites: Sassolungo, Sella Group, Piz Boe, and Marmolada. The trail heads in a steady descent towards Valle di Antermoia, hooking right at the foot of Mt. Catinaccio for one last short uphill to a pass overlooking the hut.
From the pass, it’s a slip-slide down really steep and loose scree back to the hut. This was probably the most treacherous part of the entire course! We really enjoyed hiking the via ferrata the first time with Rene and Conner from Crested Butte, Colorado. We always meet such great people in the mountains. :-) Back at the hut, we shared a dinner table and some beers, exchanging contact info in the hope that we move to Colorado at some point. #dreams #14kpeakbagging From Rifugio Passo Principe, we were well-positioned to do Via Ferrata Santner as part of a day loop hike the following day. On our second trip to Rifugio Passo Principe, we did Via Ferrata Laurenzi (a class 4C route) on our way to Rifugio Alpe di Tires. VF Laurenzi was one of the highlights of our entire two months in the Italian Dolomites!
