Ferrata La Scala del Menighel

Overview

The Ferrata Scala del Menighel is a historic route of unique character, often incorporated into the hiking circuit around the base of the Tofana di Rozes with a stop at the Rifugio Giussani. It is essentially an artificial ladder, composed of a long succession of metal rungs that overcome a bastion of about one hundred meters on the northern side of the group, ideally crossing the Masarè valley. Although it presents no significant technical difficulties, the route is exposed and requires constant attention, also considering its early 20th-century structure. The itinerary unfolds on a compact dolomite buttress, offering a direct and continuous ascent that takes place entirely on fixed structures, giving it a methodical rhythm and a feel more akin to artificial climbing than a traditional via ferrata.

Approach

The starting point is the Rifugio Dibona, located on the Ampezzo side south of the Tofana di Rozes, accessible by car from Cortina d'Ampezzo via a paved road that branches off the state highway to Passo Falzarego. From the refuge parking lot, take trail 403, an easy dirt road that heads with moderate grade toward the imposing south face. Pass a first junction, keeping direction for the face, then ignore the right turn for the Ferrata della Grotta di Tofana to stay on trail 404. Continue, also bypassing the start of the Ferrata Lipella and the Gallerie del Castelletto. The route, now immersed in the Val Travenanzes, gradually curves north toward Forcella Col dei Bos, then continues until you spot, on the right, the junction leading to the obvious rocky buttress where the ferrata begins. The approach takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Rifugio Dibona. This long approach, mostly horizontal and along the valley floor, gradually prepares you for the severe environment of the north face, contrasting the tranquility of the trail with the imminent verticality.

Via Ferrata

The equipped route is divided into two sections very similar in morphology and character. The first begins with a long series of rungs that ascend diagonally to the left. The grade, initially moderate, progressively evolves toward verticality. The climb is a regular sequence of metal steps, free of significant technical obstacles, but the exposure quickly becomes palpable as you detach from the valley floor. You reach a ledge that offers a moment of rest and a splendid view of a waterfall cascading about a hundred meters to the left. The second section resumes with the same characteristic rungs, with a grade trending to the right and an even more pronounced verticality. The route ends with the last rung, thus concluding the climb of the historic Scala del Menighel. The climbing time for the ferrata is about 20 minutes, for a total of about 3 hours from the start. The rhythm is steady and physical, dictated by the repetition of the movement on a fixed and continuous structure, in an environment of great visual impact but with few alternative progression options.

Descent

The return is a loop, circling the Tofana di Rozes. From the top of the ferrata, you find yourself below the north face and take trail 403 toward the Rifugio Giussani. The initial section is a steep climb with switchbacks, gradually leaving behind the Val Travenanzes and the profile of the Lagazuoi. Turning south, you finally reach the Rifugio Giussani at 2580 meters, about 1 hour from the end of the ferrata. From here begins the final descent along the same trail 403, squeezed between the Tofana di Rozes and Punta Anna, which leads back to the Rifugio Dibona in about 1 hour. The total descent time is about 2 hours, for a total hike of 5 hours. This return section is characterized by marked ups and downs, balancing the verticality of the ferrata with a ridge and pass route, offering a different and broader panoramic perspective on the group.

Useful Notes

The Scala del Menighel is a ferrata that, given the long approach and rather demanding return, might not justify the outing on its own. However, the majestic context in which it is set and its historic charm make it a significant experience. It is also suitable for hikers with moderate experience, thanks to its technical ease, while still requiring concentration due to the exposure. It is often combined on the descent with the Ferrata Lipella or other routes starting from the Rifugio Giussani, such as the Ferrata del Formenton or the Sentiero Attrezzato Olivieri. It can also be included in a broader itinerary that includes the Ferrata degli Alpini at Col dei Bos. For cartography, detailed maps of the Cortina d'Ampezzo area and the Ampezzane Dolomites are recommended. The itinerary is therefore a classic of a specialized nature, whose value lies more in its structural and historical uniqueness than in its technical challenge, offering a linear climbing experience in an environment of great severity and fascination.