Via Ferrata Fanes Waterfalls

Introduction:

The Ferrata to the Cascades of Fanes is a pleasant trip in a impressive landscape combining views with a easy itinerary suitable for beginners. Technically, the Ferrata report to the Fanes Waterfalls, includes 3 aided routes that could also be climbed individually: the Ferrata Giovanni Barbara, the Ferrata Lucio Delaiti and the Ferrata to the Cengia di Mattia. These routes are mainly developed in ledges and fewvertical sections without significant difficulty, with the exception of the Ferrata Lucio Delaiti which has a vertical wall of 4 meters slightly more difficult.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the parking lot of the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites located about 6 km from Cortina d'Ampezzo (Belluno) along the SS 51 which connects Cortina with Dobbiaco (Bolzano). Departure from Cortina, after about 5 km we will notice a brown sign indicating "Val di Fanes" with the possibility of taking a narrow paved road on the left downhill. We take it all along for about a kilometer up to the parking lot. Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

From the car park (approx. 1300m) we continue along the right side of the stream, slightly uphill until we meet a deviation to the left where we keep track 10 in a westerly direction. We continue on the path 10, we cross the bridge over the Rio Fanes avoiding the path that continues on the orographic left of the stream. We continue on the wide path 10 until we reach the Ponte Alto (1470 m - 45 'from the parking lot) where it is possible to see the development at the top of the Giovanni Barbara Ferrata, further down the Bridge over the Rio Fanes and on the opposite side the first meters of the Ferrata Lucio Delaiti. We cross the bridge and we meet on the right the path that leads down to the start of the Giovanni Barbara Ferrata (1h from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

The Giovanni Barbara Ferrata begins with aexposed but wide ledge which rises to the left until you reach a point where you start a descent in the direction of the first waterfall. The development of the ledge it is very characteristic. There ledge passes under a rocky roof with the waterfall to our right. It is worth stopping for a moment and enjoying the water game before continuing with the path on the opposite side. Let's go up a short sandy gully where the rope helps us not to lose balance. We climb the groove e we pass through a narrow saddle to descend on the opposite side along a stretch of path where some sleepers further reduce the difficulties. We continue in the path without significant difficulty until reaching the key passage (of difficulty however modest) of the Ferrata Giovanni Barbara. We have to go down a wall towards the underlying stream. Let's start by going down one leaning wall with the help of some brackets, we go through a traverse to the right to then descend a further steep section. We go down on some large boulders towards the stream until you meet a sign with which in fact ends the Giovanni Barbara Ferrata (20 'from the start).

We cross the bridge over the Rio Fanes and climb a few easy rocky leaps aided where we meet the metal slab with which the Ferrata Lucio Delaiti begins. In the first part of the ferrata we follow an ascending ledge to the left ascending to the right of the stream. We continue uphill meeting a through a little exposed but short and not difficult beyond which the path continues to lead us under the key passage of the Ferrata Delaiti, probably the most challenging passage of the entire route. We have to go up one vertical wall of 4 meters rather smooth on the right side of the rope while there are good holds on the left side. After this step we continue on one long upward ledge which does not present particular difficulties. The ground is initially of grit to become more stable in the upper part. The ferrata ends by taking us to path 10. just before the start of the Giovanni Barbara Ferrata (20 'from the end of the Giovanni Barbara via ferrata - 1h 40' total).

Although it is possible to return to the parking we continue the trip in the direction of the Ferrata to the Cengia di Mattia. We stay on the path 10 up to a crossroads where we keep the right always on the path 10 following the sign "Scorciatoia" reaching the locality "Bus de l'Orso" (1507 m - 10 'from the end of the Ferrata Delaiti) where we keep the right until meet the metal slab with which the Ferrata della Cengia di Mattia begins. The trail begins with short and easy steps of an aided path until it meets the characteristic point of the route. Similar to the passage of the Giovanni Barbara Ferrata we cover a ledge passing under a waterfall. Unlike the previous one, the exit of this ledge is the key passage of the route. We need to go back one traverse ascending to the right where some brackets help us to face a wet passage that can create some stability problems. Let's go up this brief traverse and the ledge continues under the beautiful waterfall. We climb a few meters of rocks with brackets in the points slightly more challenging and wet rendering also this trait very easy. Let's get around one edge and let's go up a last slightly more pronounced leap with which we end the Ferrata della Cengia di Mattia (20 'from the start - 2h 30' total).

Descent:

The path leads us to cross on a the Rio Fanes wooden bridge and we join the path 10. To return we take it to the left and retrace the way back to the parking lot (1h from the end of the Ferrata Cengia di Mattia - 3h 30 'total).

Notes:

The three ferratas presented in this report are to be considered easy and suitable for beginners. In the proposed itinerary you go down the Giovanni Barbara Ferrata descending slightly increasing the difficulties of the route, in particular in the vertical section with the brackets. It is possible to go up the via ferrata using the path that holds the left bank of the Rio Fanes during the approach.

Opportunities:

The itinerary is quite short and could be combined with the difficult one Via Ferrata Ettore Bovero to the Col Rosà. Along the approach path we will notice on the left the path 408 in the direction of Passo Posporcora. We take it and upon reaching the pass we follow the directions for the ferrata ascending to Col Rosà. It must be said that we are talking about two very different Via Ferratas with very different levels of difficulty. If you want to combine another ferrata, you could climb the Ferrata Strobel at Punta Fiames in Punta Fiames or the Ferrata to the Third Cengia del Pomagagnon. Going up the SS 51 in the direction of Dobbiaco we meet the Ferrata Renè de Pol, however a long itinerary. Going down towards Cortina we can go through the very difficult Via Ferrata Sci Club 18 at Faloria.