Guide To The Terrific Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster In The Sassolungo Group

One of the first via ferratas I added to my Dolomiti bucket list because of a photograph I saw online was via ferrata Oskar Schuster. After a week-long marathon of iron paths in the Rosengarten mountain group,  I gathered whatever strength and determination I had left and tackled the via ferrata Oskar Schuster before the fast-approaching winter would disable access to it.

Everything to know about Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster

Interactive Map & Stats Overview

• Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi
• Elevation gain: 850 m / 2790 ft
• Elevation loss: 1340 m / 4400 ft
• Time required: 6-8 hours
• Route difficulty: intermediate (B/C)
• Parking: 46.50933, 11.75766
• Map: Tabacco Map no. 06 (Val Di Fassa)
• Accessibility: July – the first week of October

TIP: A legend will appear when you click on the icon in the top left corner of the map.

Where is Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster?

Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster is located in the Sassolungo Mountain Group. It starts at Passo Sella, a high mountain pass that connects two famous valleys in the Italian Dolomites: Val Gardena and Val Di Fassa. The route leads to the top of Sassopiato Peak. You can reach the Sella pass from either valley. The driving time is similar (between 20 and 30 minutes).

Getting to the start of via ferrata Oskar Schuster

The odd-looking and slightly old Sassolungo Gondola (marked in black on the map), known as the ‘coffin’ lift, right near the top of Sella Pass, marks the official start of the Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster.

By car

It’s best to type the Passo Sella Dolomiti Mountain Resort into your GPS. The hotel is right next to the Sassolungo gondola station. If you are travelling by car, there is a decent-sized parking lot near the lift.  

By bus

You can also travel to Passo Sella by public bus from Val Gardena or Val Di Fassa. The bus stop’s name is Passo Sella (Selva di Val Gardena), Rifugio Passo Sella. This might be a good option for those who are uncomfortable driving on the windy, narrow mountain roads in the Dolomites. I smashed the left wing mirror of my van along this road.

TIP: Check the local Sued Tirol Mobil website for bus timetables and prices.

By cable car

If you are staying in Campitello Di Fassa in the Fassa Valley, you can reach Passo Sella using the Col Rodella Cable Car (marked in orange on the map). From the upper terminal, walk downhill along the wide gravel road for 30 minutes to reach the bottom of the Sassolungo gondola (I marked the trail in purple on the map). You will need a return ticket.

TIP: See the timetable and prices for the Col Rodella and Sassolungo gondolas here.

Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster: route summary

Stage 1: The approach

• Time required: 1.5 hour

You have two choices once you reach the bottom of the gondola station. One, reserved for the purists, is to walk along path no. 525. The other is to jump onto the ‘coffin’ lift and take yourself to the Sassolungo saddle.

If you choose the first, add 1.5 to 2 hours and 500 meters of elevation gain to an already long day. I recommend going with the latter and saving energy for the fun parts. The gondola is open in the summer between mid-June and the first week of October. You will only need a one-way ticket.

On the top of the Forcella Sassolungo stands the Toni Demetz hut, where you will start your hike. You have just gained 500 meters of elevation from the bottom of the gondola, and I don’t have great news for you. You will now lose most of it.

Follow path 525 through a scree valley, signed for the Rifugio Vicenza (Langkoffelhütte). You should reach it in 45 minutes to an hour. At the Vicenza hut, the path splits.

Follow the signs for via ferrata Oskar Schuster up another scree valley parallel to the one you have just descended. You now have a little over 700 meters of elevation to reach the top of the Sassopiatto – the objective for today. 

At first, you will be going up an unpleasant scree path until you reach the first cables on your right-hand side. This shouldn’t take longer than 45 minutes from the hut. Once you do, it’s time for some fun. 

Stage 2: Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster

• Time required: 2.5 hours

Look out for the red paint marks along the route. They will keep you right on track. The cable protection is excellent, although the exposure is significant in places. You have nothing to worry about if you stay clipped in and watch your steps. 

In some sections, you will also encounter ladders and iron rods. They help tremendously with tackling the almost vertical walls. The whole scramble/climb takes around 2.5 hours, excluding the initial approach to the base of the via ferrata.

What can you see from the summit?

From the top of Sassopiato, you can look down toward Alpi Di Siusi, the famous and iconic photo spot in the Italian Dolomites. To the Southwest is the Rosengarten group, where you can find via ferratas Catinaccio, Sentiero Massimiliano, or Laurenzi, to name a few. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fortunate with the conditions. As soon as we reached the summit, clouds rolled in, and visibility deteriorated.

Stage 3: The descent from the summit to Rifugio Sassopiatto

• Time required: 1 hour

To descend from the peak, follow path no. 527. I recommend purchasing a map to better visualize the whole route from start to finish. The Tabacco map no. 6, which I linked to in the stats, will be perfect, especially if you plan on exploring more of Val Di Fassa.

The scree path no. 527 zig-zags down for about 1 hour to Rifugio Sassopiatto. This is the perfect place to grab lunch and rest before returning to Passo Sella.

Stage 4: Return to Passo Sella

• Time required: 1.5-2 hours

Take the straightforward, gently undulating path 557 from the Sassopiato hut (pictured above). You should return to where you started in about 1.5 -2 hours. This part of the route intersects with the Sassolungo Circuit hike.

The total time required to complete Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster, including the approach and return, is around 6 hours (without brakes). If you decide to walk to Forcella Sassolungo at the start instead of taking the gondola, you should anticipate finishing it in 8 hours.

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