Ferrata Cristallo Di Mezzo, Monte Cristallo
Ferrata Cristallo Di Mezzo, Monte Cristallo
Duration - 3 hours
DIFFICULT
Take the car east from Cortina up the Tre Croci Pass to the ski lift station at Rio Gere. Park the car, ample parking available, and take the chair lift to Son Forcia. Here you will transfer to an extraordinary but quaint 2 two-person-standing pod lift system (either red or yellow) which takes you to the top station by Refuge G Lorenz.
The start of the ferrata is from the edge of the decking on of the Refuge and runs for about 800 meters along the ridge to the Cima de Meso summit, the second highest of the Cristallo summits. The route is at times quite strenuous and exposed and incorporates a couple of ladders. As the via ferrata end the summit of Cima de Meso is a further 100m away at the end of a broad ridge.
The route back is basically the same although, as you return to the via Ferrata you will notice an alternative via Ferrata route of the left. This route runs to the west of the ascent route, avoiding part of the ridge, for about 300 meters until it joins the original ascent route close to one of the ladders. Be cautious when taking this route however as late melting snow (or early falling autumn snow) can cover part of the cables necessitating an unprotected and exposed (and unnecessary) traverse on poor crumbling rock above the via Ferrata line to get around the snow. If this happens I would recommend retracing your steps and following the ascent route back along the ridge. Upon reaching the hut either take the lift back to the car park or (if you have sufficient time) take the Ferrata Sentiero Ivano Dibona (described next).
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.