Ferrata Create Piazzetta, Piz, Boe
Ferrata Create Piazzetta, Piz, Boe
Duration - 5 hours
VERY CHALLENGING
In my opinion, this is the hardest via Ferrata in the Dolomites.
There is ample parking at the top of the Passo Pordoi, particularly outside the Bar Maria Ristoranti. From here take the track/narrow road due east to the Sacrario Germanico, a memorial to German soldiers who died during the First World War (and well worth having a quick look around). Then take the well-signed track due north towards the broad rocky escarpment at the foot of Piz Boe (which you cannot see at this point). After about 40 minutes, from leaving the memorial, you reach the cliffs rising directly in front of you at which point you turn right, keeping just below the rock face, until you reach the start of the Via Ferrata some 10 minutes later.
The start is directly up and vertical for about 10 meters. At this point the cable turns left as you traverse around the crux of the climb, a slightly overhanging stretch of about 5 meters, where you generally have to place your equipment under duress; the footholds not lending themselves to enabling you to place your protection without having to suspend your own weight on your arms. This is a very committing section and I saw a number of climbers turn back at this point. Once over the traverse, there is a small ledge where you find yourself grateful to have a break. Beyond the route continues steeply upwards in a series of zigzags and then breaks left to another ledge, below a narrow chimney. The chimney represents another significant challenge, particularly if carrying anything larger than a day sack, as the position of the cable and the space available means that your body weight is forcing you away from the route you wish to take.
Once above the chimney the route eases and you cross a small suspension bridge shortly afterwards. Above this, the route remains steep but without difficulty, and after about 25 minutes you emerge onto the lower flanks of Piz Boe, where the cable ends. You are able to see both the summit above you and the high plateau to the west which you will return over. Continuing, occasionally over loose rock, you reach the summit refugio after about 30 minutes.
To descend head approximately due west towards the Refugio Forc, reached after 45 minutes, where you can walk down a steep slope back to the start car park. Alternatively, continue for a further 15 minutes until you reach the Pordoi cable car. The cable car descends directly to the car park.
There will, almost certainly, be a lot of walkers/day trippers that you will encounter on the descent as Pic Boe (via cable car) is a major tourist attraction.
Would you like a guided tour?
Please get in touch if you would like to arrange a private guided via ferrata tour of the Dolomites.