If you type “The Dolomites” into the Google image search engine, the famous Seceda ridgeline will be one of the first photos to appear in the results. This iconic photography spot attracts many visitors throughout the year. As intimidating as the ridgeline seems to a regular hiker, one of its summits – the Sass Rigais- is accessible thanks to a beginner via ferrata of the same name.
Total roundtrip distance (incl. approach)
12.2 kilometres / 7.6 miles
Elevation gain
980 meters / 3215 feet
Difficulty
Beginner (A/B)
Time required
6-8 hours
Overview of the via ferrata
Via ferrata Sass Rigais leads to one of the highest summits in the Odle—Geisler group, reaching 3025 meters (9925 feet). The summit route is in the Puez Odle Nature Park, close to the Gardena Valley. Sass Rigais is a beginner route, great for anyone who wants to try via ferrata.
TIP: There are two trailheads and two ways to reach the summit. I marked them both on the map below, but I will only describe the first route (marked yellow) to keep the article concise.
The map of the via ferrata
Essential info about the via ferrata
When to go: mid-June – mid-October
Trail numbers: 1, 2B, 29
Highest point: 3025 meters / 9925 feet
Nearest towns: Ortisei, Santa Cristina in Val Gardena
Parking 1: 46.57666, 11.67527; Parking 2: 46.56583, 11.73677
Trailhead 1:
46.59813, 11.72555; Trailhead 2:
46.58528, 11.74568
Route description
From the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda upper gondola station, follow the signs for Malga Pieralongia (Malga stands for a restaurant). The path is steady and gentle. Make sure to stop a few times to admire the views of Sassolungo behind you.
Next, take path no. 2B, signed for Sass Rigais, until you reach a fork with two signs: one pointing to Sass Rigais Est (East) and the other to Sass Rigais Sud (South). Both paths allow you to reach the summit of Sass Rigais. Still, after talking with the owners of the nearby hut where I had stayed the night before, I decided to go counterclockwise and take the Eastern route up, followed by the Southern route coming back down.
The Eastern route takes you first on a zigzag scree path in a wide gulley – Val D’la Salieries. After around one hour, you will reach an airy col between two summits: La Furcheta to your right and Sass Rigais to your left. This is where you should put on your harness and helmet. Follow the red paint marks from the Col for another 45 minutes along the fixed-chain route to the summit. The scrambling is straightforward and not too challenging. This is one of the best beginner via ferrata routes.
From the summit, you can look down to Val Di Funes and spot the tiny Saint Giovanni church – one of the iconic photography spots in the Dolomites. To your East is the summit of La Furcheta. At 3025 metres, it’s as tall as Sass Rigais.
You can descend along the south face of the mountain to avoid repeating the same route. You might not need your lanyard as often, but I recommend keeping your helmet on in case some hikers behind you dislodge rocks. After 1.5 hours from leaving the summit, you should reach the fork dividing the route to the East and South.
TIP: The descent is quite steep and unpleasant at times. In the hiking route grading standard, it would be considered a black hiking route (sharp descent that requires extremely good balance). You might find it more difficult than the actual via ferrata sections
Now, you will have two choices. You can take the same path back to the gondola or combine the yellow and blue route and follow path no. 13 to Rifugio Firenze for some well-earned food and a glass of cold beer. You will need about 30-45 minutes to reach it from the fork.
I stayed three nights in this hut while exploring the area; it quickly became one of my favourites. The owners are friendly, and the food is delicious! From Rifugio Firenze, it takes 30 minutes to the Col Raiser gondola. You can take the Fermeda chairlift from here to where you started.
Getting there
The trailhead for Via Ferrata Sass Rigais is at the top of the Two-Tier Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda gondola, which starts in Ortisei in the Gardena Valley. The gondola is usually open from the end of May until the start of November, but you will need to wait a bit longer for the snow to melt at higher elevations to tackle this route.
TIP: Get the first lift of the day to take advantage of the best weather. Afternoon summer storms are consistent in the Dolomites, especially between June and August.
By bus
The Cable Car station is in Ortisei (St. Ulrich) in the Gardena Valley. You can reach the terminal by catching bus no. Take bus 356 and get off at the Ortisei Seceda bus stop. Look for bus connections on the Sued Tirol Mobil website.
By car
You can also drive to the gondola station. The lower terminal has a parking garage (paid) where you can leave your car. If you are travelling by campervan, there is also an outdoor parking lot area.
TIP: If you plan to stay a few days in Val Gardena then consider getting the Val Gardena Mobil Card
Overnight stay & dining possibilities
The Puez Odle Altiopiano is a famous ski area dotted with alpine huts and restaurants. The two most popular huts in this area are Rifugio Fermeda and Rifugio Firenze. It is possible to stay overnight in both. There is also a hotel at the top of Col Raiser gondola station. If you want a quick bite, stop at Malga Pieralongia on the way back from the summit. It lies directly on the yellow route.
Where to stay nearby
Stay in one of the towns in Val Gardena to access the area’s top hikes and via ferratas. Below are a couple of my recommendations.
Best Value
A minimalistic and sustainable hotel in the heart of Val Gardena with easy access to the Col Raiser gondola.
Top Rated
Mountain-style hotel. Rooms are fitted with carpeted floors and light-wood furnishings.
Other activities nearby
Via ferrata
Travel resources for the Dolomites
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
A Word of Caution
I don’t agree with the beginner-friendly rating of the Sas Rigais Via Ferrata. We have just completed it as a family. I have long experience doing Via Ferratas in the Dolomites. Now we have completed it with my wife and my 18-year-old daughter, who also has indoor rock-climbing experience.
While I agree that the Via Ferrata section itself is not technically difficult, the unsecured approach and descent are, in my opinion, straightforwardly dangerous for anyone without high-mountain experience.
We completed it successfully and had an amazing day, but I found myself worrying for my daughter at several points in these unsecured areas.
If you are planning to do this Via Ferrata with your family or children, please bear in mind: If they have a fear of heights, or if they lack high-mountain experience, …then think twice before attempting it.
If that’s not an issue, it’s a strenuous and stunning Via Ferrata – just don’t approach it with the mindset of a “beginner-friendly, easy climb.” It’s a long day. Best wishes, Bela
Hi Bela. Thanks for your honest input. I am sure a lot of readers will appreciate it. I still hope you had a great time. I did talk about the steep and unpleasant descent in both the article and in the comment section. I have now highlighted it in the article to make sure it is more visible to the others. As for the long day, yes it certainly is. Thanks for visiting my blog.
This via ferrata itself is not hard but the approach and descent are very tiring in my opinion.
Hi Lyubo. Thanks for the feedback. Yes the approach is long.
Hello,
we would like go the via ferrata to Sas Rigais the next week. I would like to ask you, if this hike incl. via ferrata is suitable for children and which way to the top is the best to go with them (8, 10 years). They have both experienced several via ferratas (incl. Monte Paterno for example). I have read that eastern way is usually used for ascent and south-west way for a descent. But I have also read that the south-western way is easier and safer, so I am wondering if it is better to got the same way up and down.
We would like to take a mountain lift Col Raiser, so I am also wondering, if the whole hike is feasible within the operating hours (8:30-17:00) as it seems to be quite long. Thank you very much for your advice. Best regards Sarka
Hi Sarka. Thanks for visiting. I wish I could give you a straight answer, but unfortunately I don’t know your kids personally to be able to tell. The climbing parts are very easy on this route. I would say even easier than Monte Paterno. I went up the East side then descended the West side. Plenty of great footholds on the east side to be able to safely climb up. The descent was actually the tricky part because of the loose rock. There are still some cables to hold on to on the descent. If you are not sure whether you can make it within the time frame you can try and book the night at rifugio Firenze then take the gondola back to town the next day. It is a long route though.
Hi Marta,
Thank you for an amazing and very useful website! I did via ferrata Passo Santner today and considering Sass Rigais in the next days. How do you think these compare? In particular I am wondering about the unsecured sections, which I sometimes find even more exposed than the secured parts.
Hi Linda. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you loved the ferrata Santner. I think Sass Rigais is easier going up but more difficult going down. Also the approach is a lot longer. Given that it has taken me a few days to answer I hope that whichever route you chose you had a lot of fun on it!
Hello Marta,
Thank you for a descriptive post. Can this be done self-guided and can you recommed a place closeby from where we can rent the climbing gear? Thank you.
Regards,
Vishwas
Hi Vishwas. If you know how to use the gear and are comfortable with scrambling then sure you can do it as self-guided. I have. It’s a beginner level ferrata, but make sure you bring a map, or familiarize yourself with route numbers etc.
As for renting the gear plenty of places in Val Gardena (Ortisei, St. Christina or Selva – those are some of the villages in Val Gardena) offer via ferrata gear rental. Search for nollegio or simply gear rental on google maps.