Ferrata del Piccolo Cir

Overview

The Ferrata al Piccolo Cir is a short route with a distinctly climbing-oriented character, leading to the summit of one of the distinctive pinnacles in the Cir Group, overlooking the northern side of Passo Sella. Its brevity and the fact that it shares the same approach as the nearby Ferrata al Gran Cir make it an ideal outing to combine in a single day, allowing you to climb both peaks with minimal logistical effort.

Approach

The route begins at Passo Gardena (2121 m). From the parking area, take a well-marked trail that leads in about 10 minutes to the top station of the Dantercepies cable car (2298 m). Continuing, follow the signs and red trail markers, tackling a direct climb northward on a steep, rocky path. The environment is classic Dolomites, with passages over rock polished by erosion. You'll overcome a few easy rock steps to reach the start of the via ferrata, clearly marked, in a total of about 30 minutes from the parking lot.

Via Ferrata

From the start, the progression begins with easy rock steps that gradually introduce you to the exposure of the route. The terrain is that of a ridge-pillar, where the ferrata initially develops over slabs and arêtes. After a short metal ladder, you tackle some rather airy pitches on solid, well-stepped rock. Rounding an arête, you climb vertically up a fine wall with excellent handholds.

The pace is continuous and sustained, with progression alternating between vertical sections and brief traverses. The route then angles diagonally to the right before returning to vertical, leading to a airy traverse of moderate difficulty. Here, using good footholds, you gain elevation quickly in a highly exposed setting, then arrive at a panoramic ledge ideal for a rest.

Next, you ascend a more pronounced rock step and, after a few meters, emerge onto a high, scree-covered trail. Following the track northward, you reach the final stretch before the summit, climbing a rocky gully with no particular technical challenges until you reach a scree saddle. From this point, the alternative descent route will develop on the right side.

The last technical challenge is the most demanding passage of the ferrata: a diagonal wall along a crack, well-provided with holds but notably exposed, overcome with two carabiner clips. You finally emerge onto the narrow summit ledge at 2520 meters, offering a breathtaking 360° panorama over the Sella Group and the Odle peaks. The experience is intense and scenic, concentrated in a climbing time of about 30 minutes for the ferrata alone, for a total of 1 hour from Passo Gardena.

Descent

Descend back to the scree saddle mentioned on the ascent. From here, it's advisable to take the descent variant along an equipped gully. This gully, about fifty meters long over rocky steps, is more physical than technical. It opens onto a scree trail that you follow without gear to a crucial junction.

Turning left, you take a mid-slope track that leads to the start of the Ferrata al Gran Cir (about 1 hour and 45 minutes round trip, for a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes from the start of the hike). Turning right, instead, follow the trail that leads back to the cable car and then to the parking lot in about 40 minutes from the summit, completing the Piccolo Cir loop in about 2 hours total.

Useful Notes

The Ferrata al Piccolo Cir is a pleasant route, very climbable, and with an absolutely top-tier panorama. It is suitable for via ferrata beginners provided they are accustomed to exposure, considering the presence of a more challenging passage to tackle both on the ascent and descent. Combining it with the nearby Ferrata al Gran Cir is highly recommended for a complete and satisfying half-day outing. The Passo Gardena area is also the starting point for other famous via ferratas in the Sella Group, Val Badia, and Val Gardena, offering numerous opportunities to extend your stay. For maps, the 4Land maps dedicated to Val di Fassa, Val Gardena, Val di Funes and Alpe di Siusi, or Val Badia are recommended.