Ferrata Hans Kammerlander

Overview

Inaugurated in 2022, the Hans Kammerlander Via Ferrata is a modern, high-commitment route located near Campo Tures in the Ahrntal Valley. Named after the famous mountaineer from Acereto, this itinerary doesn't aim for a summit but instead unfolds along a rock face, exploring its most spectacular technical features. The route is characterized by considerable exposure and a great variety of passages, with a short approach and return that make it ideal for a half-day outing dedicated to experienced climbers and hikers.

Approach

The route begins from the village of Acereto, a hamlet situated between Campo Tures and Riva di Tures along the SP48. Once you reach the village, it is advisable to park in the large gravel lot on the right, near a bus stop, as the itinerary is a loop. From the parking area, proceed uphill along the right edge of the paved road, and after a few minutes, take the Hintergasse road. Follow this for about one kilometer on a gentle descent to a sharper hairpin turn; a few meters beyond, on the left, a well-marked trail starts in the woods. In a few minutes, you reach the start of the Hans Kammerlander Via Ferrata, for a total walking time of about 30 minutes.

Via Ferrata

The route begins with a short metal ladder, immediately followed by a series of traverses to the right on slippery, mossy rock with poor footholds. This section immediately introduces the technical and physical character of the route, leading to the first suspension bridge, whose spaced-out rungs make it unstable and dynamic. After crossing the bridge, a sequence of passages aided by stirrups leads to a grassy ledge, a panoramic resting point. After the ledge, a demanding traverse to the right enters a sector of progressively overhanging, damp, and slippery rock, where using the cable becomes almost mandatory for progression. You then ascend a nice dihedral with polished rock, which remains challenging until a resting point below a long "mariner's" metal ladder, whose instability requires balance and control. Once the ladder is finished, you face the key passage: a short but intense traverse to the left in strong exposure to round a corner, followed by a climb on smooth rock. This is a moment of great decision, with few opportunities for free climbing. After overcoming this obstacle, a short traverse to the right leads to a horizontal resting section. You resume by tackling a vertical wall equipped with metal rungs, which allow you to gain height quickly with passages that are not overly difficult. After a couple of small walls interspersed with easy traverses, you reach two panoramic wooden benches with the summit book, from which you enjoy a wide view of the valley down to Campo Tures. You are approximately at the halfway point. The route continues with a vertical wall aided by stirrups, a horizontal traverse, and a short overhang. With a series of steps and traverses, you catch sight of the second suspension bridge. You climb vertically on nice small walls with some more demanding passages until a significant obstacle: a pronounced roof that is bypassed to the left using a suspended tree trunk as a foothold to overcome a sharp edge. The subsequent traverse is very exposed and athletic, but short, and brings you near the suspension bridge. After crossing the second bridge, you traverse to the left in great exposure but with good holds until a leaning dihedral. After climbing the dihedral, you traverse left again, with difficulty noticeably decreasing, entering the final phase. Climbing toward the left, you notice above you the third and final suspension bridge. You tackle some vertical walls rich in stirrups until you reach it; this bridge has wide footholds but only a single cable as a handrail. After the bridge, you climb to the right for the last ten meters to the end of the Hans Kammerlander Via Ferrata. The time on the route is about 3 hours from the start, for a total of about 3 hours and 30 minutes from the beginning of the hike.

Descent

From the end of the ferrata, continue for a few meters until you intercept a road, which you follow to the left uphill for a few minutes. To shorten the return, you can take some trails to the left that cut through the woods toward the village. In about 30 minutes, you are back in Acereto and at the parking area, for a total hike time of about 4 hours.

Useful Notes

This modern-style itinerary offers modest opportunities for free climbing on rock, instead focusing on a demanding and exposed assisted progression. It features all the characteristics of difficult via ferratas: overhangs, extremely exposed traverses, ladders, and suspension bridges. A couple of passages, though brief, are extreme. It is essential to tackle the Hans Kammerlander Via Ferrata in excellent physical condition and with a good amount of experience. It is highly recommended to bring a lanyard to clip in and rest safely at the most critical points. In the Campo Tures area, there is also the short but demanding Pursteinwand Via Ferrata. Heading up the Ahrntal Valley, you can reach the long itinerary that includes the Sasso Nero Via Ferrata and the easier Speikeboden Via Ferrata. Heading south instead, you access the numerous Via Ferratas of the Pustertal Valley, including the recent Piz de Peres Via Ferrata.