Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites Volume 2: Southern Dolomites, Brenta and Lake Garda

Uncover the explosive peaks, vivid colours, and unique culture of the southern Italian Dolomites, Europe’s crown jewels and the birthplace of via ferrata adventure. From the soaring spires of the Brenta to the dramatic ridgelines above Lake Garda, this UNESCO World Heritage mountain range offers an unrivalled collection of via ferrata routes. 

Fixed cables, ladders, and airy bridges open up dramatic terrain to adventurous walkers, scramblers, and climbers eager to experience the thrill of these protected paths.

Expertly curated, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook details 77 outstanding via ferratas across the southern Dolomites, Brenta, and Lake Garda regions. Routes range from short, accessible outings to long, committing multi-day journeys, with distances from 1 to 60km (½ to 37 miles) and durations of 1 to 12 hours. This ensures a rewarding experience for everyone from confident novices to seasoned ferratisti.

• Explore celebrated Dolomite areas including Brenta, Lake Garda, Pale di San Martino, Trento, Schiara, Südtirol, Civetta, Vicenza, Rovereto, Riva del Garda, Bolzano, Feltre, Cortina, Agordino, and Belluno. Each is a gateway to unforgettable mountain adventure.
• All routes require a helmet, harness, and via ferrata lanyard, and are best enjoyed between June and late September. Lower-altitude options around Lake Garda and the Adige valley can be climbed year-round.
• The guidebook features 1:50,000 mapping and detailed colour photo topos for every via ferrata route, making navigation straightforward and route-finding clear even on the most complex terrain.
• Practical advice covers essential equipment, safety, choosing the best base, and route planning to help you embark on your Dolomite via ferrata journey with confidence and knowledge.
• 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. This is perfect for planning your days in the Italian Dolomites.
• All routes are graded using the widely adopted Smith/Fletcher dual system, offering consistent guidance on both technical difficulty and seriousness unique to this spectacular region.
• Designed specifically for the southern Dolomites, the guide includes summary tables for quick route comparison and covers everything from short, scenic outings for beginners to challenging, exposed routes for experienced adventurers.
• Also available from Cicerone is Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites Volume 1, which explores the northern, central, and eastern Dolomites. 

Plan your via ferrata adventure in the Italian Dolomites with confidence using this definitive Cicerone guidebook, and experience 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.