I added via ferrata Averau to my Dolomites bucket list with a bit of apprehension. After reading about it in a guidebook, it didn’t seem too exciting, nor did it pose enough of a challenge compared to other ferratas, I already had under my belt. However, my little expectations from this summit resulted in me taking some of the best photos in my portfolio to date.
Roundtrip distance (excl. approach)
1.2 kilometres / 0.75 miles
Elevation gain (excl. approach)
230 meters / 750 feet
Difficulty
Beginner (A/B)
Time required (excl. approach)
1.5 – 2 hours
Via ferrata Averau: approach options
Rifugio Averau, where the via ferrata starts, can be reached from a few different directions:
Option 1: Passo Falzarego
From Falzarego mountain pass (2105 metres / 6900 feet) via path no. 441, over Forcella Averau (3 hours roundtrip).
Option 2: Cinque Torri+Lake Limedes hike
From Rifugio Gallina (2050 metres / 6725 feet), around 1 kilometre east of Passo Falzarego, along path no. 419. This route runs parallel to the previously mentioned path 441, but pretty soon they merge. I describe this route in my Cinque Torri & Lago Limedes hike guide. (3 hours roundtrip).
Option 3: Cinque Torri chairlift
By taking the Cinque Torri chairlift. From the top of the chairlift (2255 metres / 7400 feet) follow path no. 439 to Rifugio Averau. You will be able to see the hut straight ahead of you. This is the fastest way to reach the start of the ferrata. (1-hour roundtrip)
Option 4: From Giau mountain pass
I chose to hike from Passo Giau via path no. 452. Though slightly longer, this is perfect if you want to connect the route with via ferrata Ra Gusela.
The map of the via ferrata
Although the signs and markings along the routes are excellent 99% of the time, having a map with you is always handy. It helps with planning and visualising the routes. All paths mentioned above can be found on the Tabacco map no. 03.
Important info about via ferrata Averau
Via ferrata Averau is a beginner route. It climbs to the small summit of Mount Averau. The mountain lies between two famous dolomitic mountain passes: Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego.
When to go: June – October
Trail numbers: See the options above
Highest point: 2649 meters / 8691 feet
Parking: Depends on the start
Trailhead: See the options above
Nearest towns: Cortina D’Ampezzo
Getting there
You can reach Via ferrata Averau with public transport or a car. Below are the ways to do it.
By bus
Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego bus stops can be reached by public transport buses from Cortina D’Ampezzo, the nearest town. Use the SuedTirolMobil.info website to check for connections
By car
There is ample parking at both Passo Giau and Passo Falzarego. However, they can fill up quickly in July and August, as the area is popular with hikers and climbers. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Route description
Once you reach rifugio Averau, scout for signs for via ferrata Averau. The scree path runs along the mountain’s east side; you should reach the cables in 15 minutes.
Though the wired section is very short, the vertical wall can test your nerves, especially if you are a beginner. Before you know it, though, the climb will be over, and you will come out onto another scree path. Follow it to the summit for another 20-30 minutes.
Once you reach the summit, you won’t believe your eyes! I sure couldn’t. The tear-inducing 360-degree view of the surrounding peaks is arguably one of my favourites in the Dolomites.
Amongst some of the peaks you can see are the jagged Croda del Lago, Mount Pelmo, Mount Civetta, Tofane Group, and Mount Antelao – the second-highest peak in the Dolomites. To descend, retrace your steps to Rifugio Averau using the same path.
Overnight stay & dining possibilities
You can plan an overnight stay in one of the many rifugios in the area. Rifugio Averau lies directly en route. Three more huts are within walking distance: Scoiatolli, Cinque Torri and Nuvolau. The latter (pictured above) has the best views and the location it has been built upon.
Tip: The huts lie along the popular Alta Via 1 traverse of the Dolomites. They book out months in advance so be quick!
Where to stay nearby
Cortina D’Ampezzo is the nearest town to the trailhead for the via ferrata Averau. It’s only a 15-minute drive away. Located in the heart of the central Dolomites, Cortina is the perfect town to explore the nearby attractions. I highly recommend staying here for a few days.
Best Value
It is a great hotel away from the city centre with alpine-style rooms and a wellness centre.
Top Rated
Set in the heart of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Hotel Villa Alpina offers Alpine-style rooms, some with a balcony overlooking the Dolomites.
Other activities nearby
Shop my via ferrata gear essentials
Black Diamond Helmet
Rockfall is a significant concern on via ferrata routes. Unbeknownst to you, other climbing groups above you may accidentally dislodge a small rock and send it down the mountain. If it hits you on the head, it could have serious consequences. A helmet on your head (not inside your backpack) is necessary.
Shop on: Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Black Diamond Momentum Harness
Another must-have on a via ferrata route is a climbing harness. A harness works as an anchor point for your via ferrata lanyard. Try it before your trip to ensure it fits snugly without limiting your movements. Aim for a lightweight harness that will be comfortable to wear between the cable-protected sections when hiking.
- Shop Women’s on Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
- Shop Men’s on Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Edelrid, Camp or Black Diamond Via Ferrata Lanyard
A via ferrata lanyard connects the climber and their harness to the cables along the route. Its two arms and a hidden extra coil work as an energy absorption system in case of a fall. The two carabiners at the end of the lanyard clip into the cable. Make sure the carabiners are equipped with the palm squeeze mechanism. It’s the safest and most comfortable.
Shop on Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Black Diamond Crag Gloves
The gloves protect your hands from cuts and scratches you may otherwise get if you haul yourself on the cable without them. I prefer full-finger gloves for extra protection against blisters. If your hands sweat quickly, go for the fingerless version.
Shop on: Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Salewa Wildfire Edge Approach Shoes
This is my go-to pair of hiking shoes for more accessible trails or via ferrata, where I don’t need extra ankle support. They provide excellent grip on the rock and are very durable.
Shop on: Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Reeloq Smartphone Securing System
If you want to take great photos on a via ferrata without worrying about losing your phone, Reeloq is the best tool for it. It’s a smartphone-securing system that allows you to use your phone on any adventure. This has been a great addition to my tool arsenal.
Shop on: REELOQ
This is the most detailed and thorough site I have ever seen. The amount of time, effort, and thought that you put in it is more than evident. Not only finely detailed, but you tried to cover all the options and the different levels of hikers. Extremely impressive!
I appreciate your great feedback. I hope you have a wonderful time in the Dolomites!
Hi Marta! I spent a couple hours looking at this page. My wife and I will be in Cortina D Ampezzo Oct. 6th & 7th. We are beginners and would like about a 4 hour hike. Would you recommend one of these?
Thank you!
Michigan, USA
Hi Ken. Thanks fir visiting my page. This is a via ferrata. If you want to do hikes around Cortina I recommend that you look into my Cortina guide to see what hikes are around here. Cinque Torri Circuit is a good one or you can lake to Lake Federa and back out the same way, without doing the whole circuit. October is a great time for both. I hope that helps!
Thank you Marta! We looked at your guide and have decided that due to our limited time we would either drive or take a bus to the Cinque chairlift. Then go up and do the Averau Hike. Any advice on any equipment or anything else we would need? We are probably going to rent a car in Venice and drive to Cortina.
Yes, that will significantly cut off the hiking time. Once again though Mount Averau is a via ferrata, not a hike as you are referring to it. If you want to go up to the summit you need via ferrata gear. You can rent it in Cortina. I hope that helps!
Hi There Marta, first of all, congratulations for your articles. They are so well done and I can sou how much love and effort you put on it.
My wife and me are looking for an easy/moderate hike + an easy via ferrata for a full day itinerary. Would you suggest to match the small hike of Cinque Torri + Averau ferrata?
Thank you fery much!
Hi Vitor. Thanks for your great feedback. Yes connecting the hike to Cinque Torri with this via ferrata would be a very good choice. Make sure to rent the gear for the via ferrata section. You can do that in Cortina. I hope you have lots of fun!
Hi Marta, I love all of this detailed info. I’ve never done Via Ferrata so I’d like to have a guided 1-2 day trip to start. Do you know of any good guides/companies? Thanks so much!
Hi Kyle. Thanks for visiting. Check out my post about best via ferrata routes around Cortina D’Ampezzo. There are guided tours from Cortina. I am not affiliate with any of them, but you should be able to find something there. I hope that helps!
Hi Marta, we’re heading to dolomites now be of may/beginning of June for around 4 days and will be staying in cortina D’ampezzo.
We plan to do Tre Cime circular route, lago di Sorapiss. We want to fit in a via ferrata and thinking about Averau. Is it possible to drive there and do it from Cortina in May/June time? And do you think it’s fine to do all the above in 3-4 days. We will have a car. Thanks !! 😊
Hi Daniel. Thanks for stopping by. You can still have lots of fun in the Dolomites at the end of May, but you have to consider that it is still shoulder season and for example, backcountry huts or gondolas (and some roads) are still closed then. For example, the road to rifugio Auronzo will still probably be closed at the end of May which means the Tre Cime circuit will be quite an undertaking as you will have to add to the hike the distance from Lake Antorno to rifugio Auronzo and back (extra 10 kilometers). Also some areas of the hike will still be covered in snow.
I did lake Sorapiss at the start of May last year. At the end of the hike, we had winter conditions and the lake was still frozen and covered in snow. The snow disappear quickly at this time of the year but at the end of May the lake will still be under ice in places, because it sits in a deep bowl, with not a lot of sunshine during the day. Via ferrata Averau is sun exposed so it should be possible to do, again though I can’t give you a definite answer.
Would sunrise be just as amenable to do for photography up there? We have reservations at the Averau hut that include dinner and with dinner served from 7:15-8 and sunset at 8:55 I’m not sure a sunset mission at the summit of Averau will work. (unless we do the reverse and come down in the dark dark) We are planning on doing both via ferrata and I am just hoping to arrange them in a nice way for photography. We are beginners though.
Hi Amanda. Sunrise will be spectacular too. Head over to my via ferrata category in my Italian Dolomite’s guide and search for Via Ferrata Ra Gusela. I caught a sunrise from that peak just a few hours after the sunset on Averau. I stayed in rifugio Nuvolau for that night. Ra Gusela is only “two peaks away” from Averau and in some photos, you can see how beautifully all the peaks light up during sunrise. I think you will enjoy the sunrise from Averau too. Just make sure to leave early enough and stay careful on the trail!
Awesome thank you so much for the fantastic blogs! I think we will do Via Ferrata Ra Gusela mid day and end at the Averau hut, then wake up and do the Averau via ferrata in the morning. Then depending on how the trail and views are I might still just hike back up to rifugio Nuvolau for sunset if the views seem better. I cant wait to finally be going for a visit here after 3 years of trip planning and cancellations due to covid. 🙂 Thank you for all the inspiration and help!
Hi Amanda. I am sorry to hear about all your cancellations. I experienced that myself when I wanted to return to the Dolomites in autumn 2020. I hope you have a fantastic time doing the ferratas! Let me know if I can help you any further!
I have seen mentioned that you can drive and park at Rifugio Cinque Torri. If this is true then the cable car to Rifugio Scoiattoli is not necessary? We plan to do this Ferrata in September (either 9th or 10th). Do you know if we can drive and park our car there for free?
Great recommendations for Ferratas by the way. We plan to do 4 during our time in the Dolomites!!
Hi Lorraine. The road to Cinque Torri is a gravel mountain road. Maybe people who had reservations there could but generally, roads like this are closed to public traffic. With that said I have never stayed at that hut so I would suggest that you email them directly and ask. Have fun on the ferratas and let me know if you have more questions!