Sentiero Attrezzato Kaiserjager

Overview

The Kaiserjager Via Ferrata is an introductory route that leads to the summit of Piccolo Lagazuoi. Designed for beginners, it offers an accessible and enjoyable experience set within a historically and scenically evocative context. The itinerary, of moderate length and elevation gain, winds along the Austrian side of the World War I front, dotted with wartime relics. The return can be made via the convenient cable car or through the challenging war tunnels carved into the mountain, adding an exploratory character to the descent.

Approach

The usual starting point is Passo di Valparola, reachable via the road connecting Cortina d'Ampezzo to Val Badia, passing through Passo Falzarego. At the pass, near a bar-restaurant, there is a large parking area. An alternative option to shorten the approach by about fifteen minutes is to park in a lot further down, along the road between Passo di Valparola and Passo Falzarego, from which a secondary track connects directly to the main trail.

From the main parking area, descend slightly and take a trail that, with a moderate gradient, heads toward the imposing southern walls of Lagazuoi. After a few minutes, a marked left turn leads decisively toward the mountain. During the approach, you can spot the characteristic gully topped by a suspension bridge high above, the visual target of the first part of the route. The trail proceeds over moraines and debris, approaching the base of the wall. Following the track, you eventually reach an equipped ledge: here begins the actual Kaiserjager Via Ferrata. The approach time from the parking lot is about 45 minutes.

Via Ferrata

The route starts on the ledge and quickly leads to a small gully to ascend. Progress is aided by some wooden beams forming artificial steps, followed by a series of metal rungs fixed into the rock. It is important to note that these rungs are not accompanied by a continuous steel cable; if necessary, you can clip directly into them. This initial section, though short, introduces the typical progression on Dolomitic rock, compact but often sharp-edged. Once past the gully, you emerge onto another equipped ledge that bends to the right.

The ledge, exposed in places, skirts the wall and leads to the suspension bridge, a sturdy structure to cross with confidence. The bridge spans a notch in the rock, offering the first open views of the valley. On the opposite side, the climb resumes over an initial series of easy rock steps, then tackles a steeper vertical pitch. This passage, though equipped, requires greater physical effort and introduces a more discontinuous rhythm, with sequences of climbing alternating with short horizontal sections. Once past it, the view opens majestically onto the Lagazuoi wall and the continuation of the route.

The trail now becomes more comfortable but remains equipped in exposed or slippery sections. Watch out for possible residual snow patches, even late in the season. The climb, while not technically difficult, can be quite strenuous due to the accumulated elevation gain. The route now develops over a debris-covered and rocky flank, with a more regular but consistently uphill gradient. As you ascend, the final objective appears above: Rifugio Lagazuoi. The last meters of trail, in a pleasant Dolomitic setting, lead to the ridge; a right turn brings you to the final easy passages up to the summit cross of Piccolo Lagazuoi at 2778 meters. The time from the start of the via ferrata is about 1 hour and 15 minutes (2 hours total from the parking lot).

Descent

From the summit, descend along the ridge toward the busy Rifugio Lagazuoi, reachable in 15 minutes. From the hut, there are two distinct return options.

The first is to descend by cable car to Passo Falzarego below. From there, walk the 2 kilometers of paved road (or the trail that runs alongside it) to return to Passo di Valparola. This option takes about 40 minutes from the pass (1 hour and 15 minutes from the summit), for a total of about 3 hours and 15 minutes from the start of the hike.

The second, longer and more adventurous option is the return through the Lagazuoi Tunnel. From Rifugio Lagazuoi, descend a steep trail to the entrance of the first, long war tunnel. This tunnel, excavated during the conflict, extends for about 1100 meters in total darkness, and a headlamp is absolutely essential. The tunnel is equipped with a continuous steel cable. Progress is monotonous and requires caution due to the lack of light and the often damp, uneven floor. In the final section, you'll notice some loopholes before emerging onto an exposed equipped ledge in a marked descent. A short drop then leads to a second, much shorter tunnel. Continuing the descent on a less steep trail, you reach a junction after about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the hut. Keeping right on trail 402 and cutting below the cable car, continue on a gentle grade until you reach Passo di Valparola in about 2 hours and 30 minutes from the hut, for a total hike of about 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Useful Notes

This via ferrata is perfect for beginners looking to approach the world of ferratas. While it features exposed sections, it never requires special technical skills, and the vertical passages are few and well-equipped. The itinerary has a predominantly hiking-mountaineering character, with a sustained but non-technical pace, interspersed with panoramic viewpoints. The descent through the tunnel is a unique but challenging experience: it is dark, long, and in places rough. The route offers exceptional views from the summit of Lagazuoi and continuous contact with the history of World War I. For navigation, we recommend using detailed maps of the Cortina d'Ampezzo and Dolomites area or Val Badia. The Passo Falzarego and Valparola area is rich with other equipped itineraries for all levels, such as the Ferrata Fusetti on Sass de Stria, the Tomaselli, the Brigata Alpina, the Averau, and the Ra Gusela.