The Ferrata delle Trincee follows the volcanic crest of the Padon, directly opposite the Marmolada glacier, passing through tunnels and military positions from the First World War.
It is a demanding and exceptionally panoramic via ferrata, reserved for experienced mountaineers with a full ferrata kit.
How to get there — Porta Vescovo / Arabba (2.478 m)
The most convenient approach is from Arabba: from the village you go up with the Porta Vescovo cable car to an altitude of 2,478 m, from where you reach the Padon ridge and the start of the via ferrata. Arabba lies along the road between Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo, in the heart of the Sellaronda, and is reachable by car from Val Badia, Val di Fassa or the Agordino. Alternatively the route is accessed from the Passo Fedaia side, from where a red-marked trail climbs for some five hundred metres before the first cables. Using the lifts greatly reduces the approach, but you must check the summer opening times, on which all the logistics depend.
The trailhead is in the Arabba e Marmolada area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.
Stage by stage
1. Approach from Porta Vescovo
Reach the start of the route along the Padon ridge.
2. The ferrata and the war tunnels
Progress along the equipped crest, including the celebrated passage through a Great War tunnel.
When to go & weather
The useful window is narrow, from July to September, when the ridge is clear of residual snow and ice and the lifts are running. High summer is the safest time: at the start and end of the season snowfields can linger in the gullies and on the shaded sections, treacherous on rock that is already demanding. Set off early and keep an eye on the sky, because the Mesola ridge is very exposed to lightning and afternoon thunderstorms here are frequent and dangerous when you are clipped to the cable. On settled days the view over the Marmolada glacier, right in front of you, repays every effort.
Recommended gear
- A complete via ferrata kit with a certified energy absorber — no improvising
- Harness and helmet, compulsory along the whole ridge
- Via ferrata gloves and sturdy boots: the black volcanic rock of the Padon is abrasive and awkward
- A charged head torch for the long war tunnel, about three hundred metres in the dark
- Layered clothing with a windproof shell for the exposed ridge
- Water, food and a charged phone for any eventuality
Useful tips
- This is a route for experienced hikers: without a via ferrata kit and familiarity with airy passages it should not be attempted
- Keep your torch to hand: the main tunnel is long, with branches and embrasures opening onto the Marmolada
- Set off on the first Porta Vescovo cable car and return before the first rumble of thunder
- The initial section, almost vertical on the Mesola wall, is the hardest: assess it before committing
- If you have doubts about exposure, conditions or weather, rely on an alpine guide from the Arabba area
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a torch for the Ferrata delle Trincee?
Yes, one is strongly recommended: the route passes through tunnels excavated during the First World War, and a head torch makes the experience considerably safer and more enjoyable.