Via Ferrata & Cima Pisciadù (2985m) - Geniale Klettersteigtour in den Dolomiten (T4 & Level C)

The Pisciadù Via Ferrata on the Gardena Pass is one of the most popular and most visited via ferratas in the Dolomites, and rightly so. It scores with a fairly short ascent, a free parking lot (as of 2022), has some challenging but never too difficult C passages and is very well secured. In addition, you move in a great landscape and at the exit with the Pisciadù Hut at 2585m altitude you also have a beautifully situated rest stop. Then we recommend the ascent to the 2985m high Cima Pisciadù, which adds a good 400 meters of altitude to the tour and you should plan an additional 2 to 2.5 hours. The views along the way and from the top are truly spectacular! We descended via the shorter but also steeper Val Setus, alternatively there is the longer descent via the Mittagstal (Val de Mesdi). The beginning of the via ferrata can be reached after about 15 minutes without much effort. The first part is relatively easy with a maximum of A/B level, followed by a 600m long walking section. Now comes the second longer part, except for a B/C spot with slightly overhanging brackets, this part is very easy to do in the A/B and B range. After the first steep face, there is an emergency exit to the left, which you can use to bypass the more difficult C sections and also come out at the hut. Otherwise it goes further up, just before the ladder there are several crisp C-sections that also require arm strength. From the ladder it gets easier and you get to the wooden bridge that almost marks the end of the via ferrata. The hut can then be reached in about 15 minutes. Ascent to Cima Pisciadù: Descent from the hut to Lake Pisciadù, pass this and ascending to the right up to a rock step that can be easily overcome with several ropes (no via ferrata). Arriving at a saddle (junction to Piz Boè possible) we keep left and climb to the summit with a lot of easy scrambling. The 360° view is absolutely worth the detour! Descent via the ascent path back to the hut. From the hut, follow the marking no. 666 (red-white-red) to the left and after a few minutes you will reach the entrance to the Val Setùs. Here with the help of wire ropes over some rock steps steeply down into the scree cirque. Between high rock walls in countless switchbacks further down into the valley and back to the parking lot. Directions and parking: via the Gardena Pass a bit down the road (to the east) to a large gravel car park on the right-hand side (free, 1,956m) Distance: 8.5 km Duration: 7 hours Altitude gain: 1050m Highest point: 2985m Difficulty: C, Climbing I Character: Circular tour with summit detour, well-secured via ferrata, crisp C section in the upper part, sure-footedness and mountain experience required for the Cima Pisciadù and the descent Marking: good, red dots; Via ferrata fully secured Time: July - September 0:00 Intro & Access 1:45 Start Via Ferrata, Part 1 2:48 Via Ferrata, Part 2, till emergency exit 5:47 Via Ferrata, upper C part after emergency exit 8:09 bridge and end of the Via Ferrata 8:29 Rifugio Pisciadù, Ascent to Cima Pisciadù 10:39 Summit Cima Pisciadù 11:28 Info Cima Pisciadu Ascent, Descent to the hut 12:30 Info & Descent via Val Setus 14:35 closing words Music: The David Roy Collective - Chasing Dreams - Defining Success Scott Buckley - The Climb Edward Abela - Ambient Echo - Dusk Goldfinch - Maiden Voyage