Sentiero Attrezzato Astaldi

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato Astaldi is an easy via ferrata that runs along the basal ledge on the southern flank of Punta Anna, in the Tofane group. It offers a landscape of extraordinary beauty with modest technical and physical demands, making it ideal for a half-day outing. The route is predominantly horizontal, traversing ledges that alternate between airy exposed sections and more relaxed passages, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites.

Approach

The starting point is Rifugio Dibona (2,083 m), reachable by car from Cortina d'Ampezzo by taking the marked turnoff on the road to Passo Falzarego. From the refuge parking lot, take trail 403 heading east toward Rifugio Giussani. This wide path climbs the valley between the south face of the Tofana di Rozes and Punta Anna, a stark environment dominated by vertical walls. Shortly after a sharp left bend in the mule track, look for a faint trail that rises to the right across a scree slope, heading decisively toward the south face of Punta Anna. After crossing a small saddle, continue toward the rocky bastion; the start of the Sentiero Astaldi is located to the right of an artificial hole in the rock. The approach takes about 45 minutes from Rifugio Dibona and gradually prepares you for the rocky terrain ahead.

Via Ferrata

The route traverses the striking Formazione di Raibl, characterized by a spectacular color alternation of gray, red, and yellowish rock layers. It begins by descending a few meters into a small gully, then grabbing the first steel cable, which assists on the initial exposed ledge section. The itinerary alternates between wide, unprotected ledges and narrower stretches where you sometimes need to duck under rocky overhangs. The pace is pleasantly varied, with free-walking sequences punctuated by short assisted passages. You then reach a gully that cuts across the ledge, which is ascended with the help of metal rungs that make the footing less slippery.

After crossing this gully, you follow a new ledge, more exposed than the previous one, with direct views of the red rock strata on the wall. Rounding a corner, you face the route's most critical section: climbing a short gully with unstable, unsecured ground. Though not technically difficult, this stretch demands steady footing and caution to avoid slips, representing the only real physical challenge on loose terrain. Immediately after, you cross a short traverse on metal rungs and another debris-filled gully.

You then enter the final section of the route, where the ledge widens considerably and is largely unprotected, allowing for a relaxed, panoramic walk. After a last descending stretch, you tackle the final equipped ledge that ends near trail 421, the link between Rifugio Dibona and Rifugio Pomedes. The via ferrata takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete, for a total of 2 hours from the start. The character of the route is predominantly scenic and horizontal, with simple technique but continuous, spectacular exposure.

Descent

To return to the parking lot, immediately take trail 421 keeping to the right. This easy path, winding between boulders and conifers, leads in just over 30 minutes to Rifugio Dibona, for a total of about 2 hours and 15 minutes from the start of the hike. From the junction with trail 421, you can also turn left to reach Rifugio Pomedes in 10 minutes, a starting point for many other hikes in the Ampezzo Dolomites. The descent is quick and restful, offering a different perspective on the valley you traversed on the way up.

Useful Notes

The Sentiero Attrezzato Astaldi is a route of great scenic beauty with modest difficulty. The points requiring the most attention are the two unprotected debris-filled gullies, where the ground can be unstable and demands a sure step. Wearing a helmet is absolutely necessary, both for the possible fall of debris from the gullies above and for the low rock overhangs encountered along the ledge. This trail also serves as a link between the east and west sides of Punta Anna, fitting into a broader network of via ferratas in the Tofane, such as the Ferrata Lipella, the Scala del Meneghel, the Ferrata Olivieri, and the Ferrata Formenton. It is an ideal route for appreciating the ledge morphology of the Dolomites with minimal technical commitment.