Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites Volume 1

Discover the dramatic peaks and ridgelines of the Italian Dolomites, home to the world’s greatest concentration of legendary via ferratas, ‘iron way’ climbs that trace airy ledges and vertical walls across this UNESCO World Heritage landscape. From the iconic spires of Tre Cime di Lavaredo to the mighty Marmolada, Sella, and Catinaccio ranges, each route promises adventure amid scenery famed for explosive rock formations, ever-changing colours, and a unique blend of cultures.

Ideal for adventurous walkers, scramblers, and climbers with a head for heights, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook details 75 outstanding via ferratas spanning the northern, central, and eastern Dolomites. Routes range from short, accessible outings to long, technical challenges, offering a wide selection of grades and styles to suit both novices and seasoned ferratisti. Each via ferrata is meticulously described, with distances from 3 to 29km (2–18 miles) and durations of 2 to 12 hours, ensuring you’ll find the perfect challenge for your ambitions.

• Explore celebrated Dolomite areas, including Val di Fassa/Canazei, Selva, Badia/La Villa, Corvara, Arabba, Falzarego, Cortina, Misurina, Sesto, and Auronzo, each a gateway to unforgettable mountain adventures.
• All routes require a helmet, harness, and via ferrata lanyard, and are best enjoyed between June and September, when the Dolomites are at their most accessible.
• The guidebook features 1:50,000 mapping and detailed colour photo topos for every via ferrata route (with select routes at 1:40,000), making navigation straightforward and route-finding clear even on complex terrain.
• Practical advice covers essential equipment, safety, accommodation, getting there, getting around, and route planning, ensuring you embark on your via ferrata journey with the confidence and knowledge needed for a rewarding experience.
• Each route description is accompanied by an at-a-glance information box detailing start and finish points, distance, ascent and descent, estimated time, technical grade, seriousness, wire length, and GPS coordinates for parking, perfect for planning your days in the mountains.
• Routes are graded using the widely adopted Smith/Fletcher dual system, offering consistent guidance on both technical difficulty and seriousness.
• The guide includes summary tables for quick route comparison and covers everything from short, scenic routes for beginners to demanding, exposed climbs for experienced adventurers.
• Also available from Cicerone is Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites: Volume 2, which explores the southern Dolomites, Pala, Brenta, and Garda regions.

Plan your via ferrata adventure in the Italian Dolomites with confidence using the definitive Cicerone guidebook, and discover the untamed beauty, rich history, and unique alpine culture of Italy’s most celebrated mountain range.

James Rushforth is an experienced and professional climber, mountaineer, skier and high-liner. His book Rock Climbs and Via Ferrata – The Dolomites was nominated for the Banff Film Festival Book Award and was cited as ‘the best Dolomite guidebook ever produced’ (SA Mountain Magazine). James also works as a professional photographer and has won 12 international photography competitions and published work in numerous magazines and papers including National Geographic, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. He has written tutorial and blog posts for a number of popular media platforms such as Viewbug and 500px and appeared as a judge in several global competitions. Although based in the UK, James spends much of his time exploring the Italian Dolomites and is one of the leading authorities on the region, particularly with regards to photography and extreme sports. He is part of the Norrøna Pro Team and is kindly supported by Breakthrough Photography, Landcruising and Hilleberg. James can be contacted at www.jamesrushforth.com.