Ferrata Sentiero Astaldi, Tofana di Mezzo
Ferrata Sentiero Astaldi, Tofana di Mezzo
Duration - 3 hours
EASY
Drive west from Cortina on the Falzarego Pass. 5 minutes after Pocol, at a spot height of 1698 meters take the narrow metalled track on the right north for 1,500 meters. As the tarmac finishes you reach a junction at which you turn right onto a graveled track. Take the track for 500 meters until you reach a grassy expanse, just under the Duca D’Aosta chair lift station. The track is not too steep and 2-wheel drive vehicles will not struggle.
From where you have parked the car walk up to the chair lift station and then take route 420, which is clearly marked by some trees on a bank to the left. Take route 420 for about 45 minutes up Refuge Hut Pomedes, just below the upper chair lift station. Take route 421, situated no more than 10 meters from the hut, which descends for about a kilometre until you reach a signpost where the Ferrata is signposted.
Take the track which crosses a small scree slope until you reach the start of a horizontal ledge which marks the beginning of the ferrata. The Ferrata follows this ledge for about 400 meters. It is not at all challenging but does run over several different rock colours and provides views across the valley towards Cinque Torri.
Once you have reached the end of the Ferrata, signaled by the protection finishing and the start of a track dropping down to the Refuge Debona, retrace your steps back to Refuge Pomedes and back to the car.
To be brutally honest this is a dull via Ferrata with neither the route to it nor the views whilst on it making the effort worthwhile. Even if you use this as a “starter” for Via Ferrata it is not challenging enough to prepare you for even the most straightforward routes. Much better to use the Ferrata Barbara & Dalaiti, Val di Fanes (described on page 35) for this purpose.
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.