Sentiero Attrezzato Tru Dolomieu

Overview

The route ascending to the summit of Piz dles Conturines is called the Sentiero Attrezzato Tru Dolomieu. This is a long itinerary with significant elevation gain, unfolding in a grand and relatively secluded setting. The metal fixtures, concentrated exclusively in the final stage of the climb, mainly secure passages across ledges and easy exposed slabs, supplemented by a few ladders. The main challenge, therefore, lies in the duration and physical effort required, rather than in any actual alpine difficulty.

The ideal starting point is the Rifugio Stella Alpina (Capanna Alpina), accessible by car from the Val Badia via San Cassiano and Armentarola, or by descending from Passo Falzarego. Near the bridge over the Rio Sarè, signs for the refuge appear on the left. There are longer and more strenuous approach variants, such as starting from the Badia chairlift towards "La Croce" and continuing along the Ferrata della Croce to Forcella dla Crusc, or the itinerary beginning at Rifugio Pederù to the northwest.

Approach

From the parking area at Rifugio Capanna Alpina (1720 m), take the wide trail 11. This initially climbs with moderate gradient across the Plan de Furcia, heading towards Col de Locia (2069 m), reachable in about 45 minutes. The path winds across a broad grassy slope, typical of the upper Val Badia, offering steady, non-technical progress. After the pass, descend slightly to enter a wide basin, where the majestic silhouette of Piz dles Conturines becomes clearly visible on the left. After a short stream crossing, the hike continues without excessive effort across the Gran Pian, a debris-strewn plateau surrounded by dolomite walls, until reaching an important junction at Forcella da l'Ega (2157 m), reached in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Here, keep left, following signs for Piz dles Conturines and Piz de Lavarella.

The route now enters the valley nestled between these two mountains, climbing progressively among boulders, scree, and sparse dwarf pine vegetation. Pass the former basin of Lago di Conturines, now dry, following trail traces towards a broad saddle. The environment becomes wilder and rockier, with the pace of the climb steady but not steep. At this second junction (about 3 hours and 30 minutes total), keep left to ascend the wide debris ridge, which, with a final strenuous push, leads to the start of the via ferrata, reached in about 4 hours total. This long approach, free of technical passages, demands endurance and a good hiking rhythm in a landscape that progressively becomes more alpine and solitary.

Via Ferrata

The protected progression begins with a metal ladder that overcomes an initial rock step. After rounding an easy corner, follow an ascending ledge with the safety cable on the left, offering a first exposure over the void below. After a short rock step, the fixtures temporarily end. Continue along a ledge until encountering a second ladder, longer and steeper than the first, which overcomes a compact dolomite buttress. Climb a few rock steps and approach two closely spaced, very steep ladders, which form the most challenging and vertical section of the entire ferrata. After a few more protected meters, traverse an unprotected ledge section, which concludes the protected part of the climb (about 20 minutes from the start). The development is short but intense, alternating vertical sections with exposed horizontal traverses, feeling more alpine than purely a via ferrata.

You now find yourself on the final ridge section. The ridge is broad and presents no difficulties, offering an airy, panoramic walk, with the exception of a single unprotected sloping slab that, especially when wet or dirty, can be treacherous and slippery. Traverse the ridge and finally reach the summit of Piz dles Conturines (3064 m), attained about 30 minutes from the ferrata and 4 hours and 30 minutes total. The top rewards with a 360-degree view of the dolomite landscape, crowning an itinerary with a strong hiking and scenic character.

Descent

Descend the via ferrata in reverse to its start. From here, you have two options: retrace the entire approach trail backwards, or cut directly towards the former Lago de Conturines via a faint track through the scree, then rejoin the outward path, saving about 30 minutes (reaching the lake in about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the summit). This direct variant requires careful navigation and sure-footedness on unstable terrain. From that point, return along the outward trail to Rifugio Capanna Alpina and the parking area. The total descent takes about 3 hours, for a total excursion of about 7 hours and 30 minutes. The return down the valley repeats the landscape but with a different perspective, requiring concentration due to accumulated fatigue.

Useful Notes

At Rifugio Capanna Alpina, parking is paid during the high season. The long approach, free of technical difficulties, unfolds in a splendid environment, becoming progressively more solitary as you near the saddle between Piz dles Conturines and Piz de Lavarella. Maximum caution is required on the unprotected sloping slab before the summit, which can be dirty and slippery, especially in damp conditions or with residual debris. For planning, it is advisable to consult a detailed map of the Val Badia. The trail's name, Tru Dolomieu, pays homage to the French geologist from whom Dolomia, the characteristic rock of the Dolomites, takes its name. In the same area, it is possible to combine the hike with other via ferratas, such as the Ferrata della Pace or the Ferrata al Sasso della Croce.