Trip Date: July 6, 2022
2022 ITALIAN DOLOMITES VACATION
Via Ferrata Brigata Tridentina / Brigata Tridentina Klettersteig
Alta Via Dolomiti 2 aka Dolomiten-Hohenweg 2
Rifugio Pisciadu aka Pisciadu Hutte aka Pisciadu Hut
Trip Report Summary
Region: Dolomite Alps (Italy)
Locale: Gardena Pass on Road SS-243
Starting Point: AV-2 trail junction above Gardena Pass (Elev. 7200 feet / 2200 meters)
Ending Point: AV-2 trail junction near Pisciadu Hut (Elev. 8480 feet / 2585 meters)
Rating: 3B (Difficult)
Approximate Stats (hike & climb): 1800 feet / 550 meters gained; 3.0 hours elapsed.
Approximate Stats (climb only): 1200 feet / 370 meters gained; 2.5 hours elapsed.
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Alta Via 2 Trail Traverse – South Part: Marmolada to Feltre
Full Trip Report
By many accounts, Via Ferrata Brigata Tridentina is one of the most popular cable climbs in the Italian Dolomites. Eileen, Brooke, and I were fortunate that we didn’t need to go out of our way to tuck in this classic; it served as an integral part of our Alta Via 2 trek, taking us from Gardena Pass to Pisciadu Hut on our third day. Admittedly, we could have taken an easier alternative path to reach the hut, but this seemed like an opportunity not to be missed—even if it meant doing the climb with our full backpacks.
From Gardena Pass, we followed AV2 southeastward to the base of a narrow waterfall that emanates from Lake Pisciadu. A handsome plaque here identifies the start of Via Ferrata Brigata Tridentina. We donned our climbing gear and headed up.
The climb begins with a scramble up steep faces, cracks, and slabs adjacent to the waterfall. In early season, this might involve some “wet work,” but we encountered completely dry rock the whole way. Above the waterfall, the route makes a series of traverses and ascents along the right (western) side of a hanging canyon. Pisciadu Hut was visible at the brink of a cliff far above.
Approximately two-thirds of the way up, a signed junction is reached. An easier (Grade 2) route to the left leads directly up the canyon invert, whereas a harder route to the right stays on the canyon sidewall. We chose the latter option here and quickly noticed that the climbing becomes steeper and more exposed, with numerous rungs and ladders on vertical faces.
Higher up, we arrived at a suspension bridge that spans a deep chasm—like something from an Indiana Jones movie. This was my first serious via ferrata climb, and I was absolutely thrilled by the variety, exposure, elegance, and physicality of the route!
More scrambling above the suspension bridge took us to the top of the canyon’s headwall. Here, after 1200 vertical feet of climbing steel cables, we transitioned to a switch-backing trail that headed eastward to Pisciadu Hut—today’s destination. Completing such a classic via ferrata route made this one of the most memorable days of our entire Alta Via 2 trek!
Photo Gallery
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