Ferrata Ferrari alla Ra Bujela

Overview

The Ferrata Ra Bujela runs up the namesake rocky tower, a limestone bastion rising between Rifugio Duca d'Aosta and Rifugio Pomedes in the Tofane group above Cortina d'Ampezzo. It's a relatively short route, rated moderate in difficulty, but intense and packed with technical variety. Its nodal position at the crossroads of numerous itineraries makes it an excellent building block for combining with other via ferratas and equipped trails in this Dolomitic sector, allowing you to tailor the day's commitment.

Approach

Access to the route can be from two distinct points, depending on your logistical needs and overall planned itinerary.

The first option starts from the road to Rifugio Dibona. From Cortina d'Ampezzo, heading toward Passo Falzarego, take the right turnoff for Rifugio Dibona. Drive up the paved road to a junction where, on the right, the dirt road to Rifugio Duca d'Aosta branches off. This last stretch is rough; it's advisable to park in the wide clearing near the junction. This solution is particularly suited for those planning a loop that also includes the Sentiero Attrezzato Astaldi, returning to the vehicle.

The second possibility is to park in the large lot near Baita Pie Tofana (1675 m), where the chairlift to Rifugio Duca d'Aosta begins. This choice is ideal for minimizing approach and return times by using the lifts, or for pairing the via ferrata with a broader route that includes, for example, the Sentiero Attrezzato Olivieri.

In any case, the goal is to reach Rifugio Duca d'Aosta (2098 m). From the first parking area, follow trail 405, which in about two kilometers (30 minutes) leads to the hut. From the second parking area, besides the chairlift, you can hike up via the Sentiero dei Camosci (also marked 405) with a walk of about an hour and a half.

Once at the hut, the silhouette of Ra Bujela is already clearly visible to its left. In front of the building, a ski slope runs; instead, take the dirt track that climbs to the right toward Rifugio Pomedes. After a few minutes, you'll encounter a sign that, pointing left, marks the trail to the start of the via ferrata, dedicated to Maria and Andrea Ferrari. From here, a well-defined path leads in about fifteen minutes to the base of the route.

Via Ferrata

Next to the commemorative plaque, the steel cable begins to climb leftward, overcoming a first rocky step. The environment is immediately characterized by slabs and spikes of compact dolomite. You encounter a passage where the rock overhangs, eased by a well-placed stirrup. Just above, the first suspension bridge comes into view. The cable ends on a ledge that bends right, returning to the cable. You climb diagonally over stepped rocks for a couple of meters, before the route makes a sharp turn to the right, engaging a traverse that is initially horizontal then becomes progressively more vertical and exposed. The pace is continuous and the exposure makes itself felt, but the presence of numerous stirrups makes the passage very manageable from a technical standpoint. You reach a small balcony where the cable bends left over well-shaped rock, arriving at a wider platform, excellent for a first panoramic break.

You set off again by horizontally rounding a corner, then traversing a ledge to the right. A diagonal climb precedes a vertical and exposed wall, but not technically difficult. You now find yourself below the first suspension bridge. You tackle another diagonal traverse followed by a vertical step, aided by some stirrups. This section, though exposed, presents no great difficulties; with a few moves over rock steps first to the right and then to the left, you arrive at the first suspension bridge, stable and with wide wooden slats.

Exiting the bridge, you follow a short horizontal ledge, then a diagonal to the right, two rocky steps, and a passage over rock steps, leading to the second suspension bridge, identical to the first. After crossing it, you step onto a long, narrow ledge that develops to the right. This is a key passage: the ledge, carved into the wall, requires attention for a couple of exposed points and for a sometimes unstable surface. The progression is horizontal but demanding due to the constant exposure. The ledge ends near a corner. This section is decidedly exposed and starts vertically in a challenging manner, then gradually becomes less steep and offers better holds. After the corner, the character of the route changes: it becomes a ridge path, fairly wide, not equipped in the less exposed sections. You reach a saddle that marks the start of the final section.

You continue along the ridge, generally staying a few meters below its crest, on the left side. Sections of simple trail alternate with some rocky steps, until with a final vertical pitch you reach the summit of Ra Bujela at 2257 meters, after a point where the cable splits.

Do not remove your harness, as the equipped descent begins immediately. From the summit, backtrack a few steps until you spot, to the west (left), the steel cable descending. You traverse a ledge to the right and descend a short equipped wall. A descending ramp leads to a recess; you briefly climb the opposite side, following the last equipped section of the route. The time for the via ferrata is about one hour from the start.

Descent

Now begins the trail section for the return. You descend steeply toward a junction. From here, turning left uphill, you can reach Rifugio Pomedes (2303 m) in about ten minutes. Alternatively, to return to Rifugio Duca d'Aosta, you can continue right on the trail that skirts Ra Bujela, or descend directly down the steep ski slopes, taking about twenty minutes from the end of the equipped route.

Once at Rifugio Duca d'Aosta, you return to your parking area by retracing the approach itinerary.

Useful Notes

The Ferrata Ra Bujela is a recent installation (inaugurated in 2015) and the equipment is in excellent condition. Despite its reputation for ease, the first section before the suspension bridge holds a couple of more challenging passages that, combined with the exposure, make it a route of moderate difficulty. It's a varied itinerary offering traverses, ledges, short walls, rocky steps, ridges, and suspension bridges. These features, paired with a short approach and return, make it perfect as an intermediate step between equipped trails and the more demanding via ferratas of the nearby Tofane.

The area offers numerous opportunities for combined itineraries. Besides the already mentioned Sentieri Astaldi and Olivieri, on the opposite side of the ski slope climbs the easier Ferrata Ra Pegna, easily combinable in the same day. For longer and more challenging excursions, you can consider the classic via ferratas of the Tofane (Olivieri to Punta Anna, Aglio to Tofana di Mezzo, Formenton to Tofana de Inze) or, toward Tofana di Rozes, the Ferrata Lipella and the Scala del Meneghel. Toward Passo Falzarego, you'll find the Ferrata Tomaselli, the Fusetti at Sass de Stria, the route to Col dei Bos, and that to Averau. These routes require careful planning for times and weather conditions.