Ferrata Kugy

Overview

A high-altitude route in the heart of the Julian Alps, tracing the watershed between Italy and Slovenia. Originally built as a military path and recently restored (2022), the Kugy Via Ferrata offers a direct and captivating line to the summit of Strugova. The entire itinerary is demanding, with a long approach and a descent that-unless you choose to return the way you came-takes on an alpine character along exposed ridges.

Approach

The route begins from the parking area at the Laghetti di Fusine (Udine), reachable from the A23 motorway (Tarvisio exit) and the road to Fusine Valromana. Start from the shore of Lago Superiore di Fusine, taking trail 512, which leads through forest to Rifugio Zacchi in about an hour of walking. Continue south on trail 513, initially a dirt road, until you spot the left-hand turn for trail 513c, marked for the "Via Attrezzata Kugy allo Strugova." Once out of the woods, the landscape shifts dramatically: you find yourself at the foot of a limestone amphitheater, at the center of which lies a steep, long scree slope. Climbing this debris cone-staying to the right, following sparse red markers-is physically demanding, and the path can sometimes be faint. After crossing the scree, skirt the remains of a glacier (or seasonal snowfield) to the left, then descend a few dozen meters until you reach the first metal rungs marking the start of the via ferrata. The approach requires careful attention to the trail and a good pace to manage the elevation gain accumulated even before the equipped section begins.

Via Ferrata

The start of the Kugy Via Ferrata features the crux of the entire route: a slightly overhanging rock step, short but demanding decisive movement. Once past this initial obstacle, the itinerary unfolds with a varied and enjoyable rhythm, alternating easy traverses, vertical pitches, ledge passages, and diagonal ramps. The morphology is typically karstic, with generally solid limestone and generous holds. The cable serves as a useful guide, but the quality of the rock often invites free climbing. After about 45 minutes, you reach a midway ledge, which you follow staying to the right of a gully. The progression remains continuous and well-equipped, gradually approaching the summit ridge. Once on the ridge, you need to orient yourself: the ridge continues clearly to the left (toward Ponza), but the route turns right. The final equipped sections, airy but not difficult, lead in about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the start to the summit of Strugova at 2,430 meters. The route is predominantly vertical, with constant exposure that rewards you with ever-widening panoramas as you ascend.

Descent

From the summit of Strugova, three possible return itineraries branch off, all demanding and involving equipped sections. The most straightforward choice is to return via the ascent route, descending the via ferrata, the scree slope, and trails 513c/512. The times given in this text refer to this option. The second possibility, alpine in nature, involves following the ridge to the south that connects Strugova to Veunza, then descending via the technical Ferrata della Vita. The third option, equally challenging, follows the ridge to the north toward the Ponze, with a subsequent descent along the Ferrata della Ponza Grande. These two ridge variants significantly extend the commitment of the hike. The equipment on the ridges is often old and unreliable, the passages are exposed, and they require experience in moving over rough terrain with a steady foot. The choice must therefore be matched to the group's physical condition, experience, and the weather.

Useful Notes

From the summit, a majestic view of the giants of the Julian Alps unfolds, a 360° panorama over the Slovenian and Friulian sides. After its 2022 restoration, the via ferrata is in excellent condition. The glacier encountered on the approach is now a remnant, but at the start of the season it may present itself as a substantial snowfield, potentially requiring the use of crampons and an ice axe. The itinerary retraces the alpine route first climbed by Julius Kugy in 1898, later equipped for military purposes in the early post-WWI period, and finally restored by the Brigata Alpina Julia. The area of the Laghetti di Fusine is a strategic starting point for other famous via ferratas, such as those on Mangart and Ponza Grande, while to the west you access the numerous equipped routes of the Jof Fuart and Montasio groups.