Via Ferrata Piccolo Cir

Introduction:

The short Ferrata al Piccolo Cir is a very climbing ferrata that allows us to climb to the top of one of the pinnacles that are part of the Cir Group that extends on the northern slope of Passo Sella. Short itinerary with approach and return that allows you to combine this exit with the other Ferrata Group via ferrata.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the Gardena Pass which connects Val Badia (Corvara) with Val Gardena (Selva). You park in the large square of the pass. Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

We climb through the well-trodden path from the Gardena Pass (2121 m) to the top station of the cable car ascending to Dantercepies (2298 m - 10 ') from Selva di Val Gardena. We follow the clear signs which tell us to proceed north for the climb to the Piccolo Cir. We climb on a steep path on rock and following the red signs and signs, and we reach thestart of the via ferrata after passing some rocks (30 'from Passo Gardena).

Via Ferrata:

Let's go up some easy rocky leaps in the direction of a passage with which we begin to gain exposure. Let's go up one short metal ladder and we go up some rocky jumps exposed. We go around an edge and start going up one vertical beautiful well-laid wall. We continue diagonally to the right and then proceed more vertically before facing a traverse aerial. We climb this medium-difficulty section by using the good grips for the feet and quickly gaining height. We reach a panoramic terrace where you can enjoy the view and stop before the last climb.

Let's go up a more pronounced leap and after a few meters we go out on a path at high altitude with a detrital bottom. We continue in a northerly direction on a track that leads us to the last stretch of the ferrata before the summit. We climb a rocky gully without problems and reach one detrital saddle. From this downhill stretch it will be possible to keep the right slope to descend on an alternative route with respect to the climb. We now climb towards the more difficult passage of the route. We go up a diagonal wall that runs along a crack. The tract is well attached however quite exposed. We go up the stretch with two carabiner passages and we are on a small terrace that represents the narrow peak (2520 m - 30 'from the start - 1h from the Gardena Pass) with stupendous panorama on the group Sella and Odle.

Descent:

We will go back down to the saddle described in the climb. At that point we can consider going down the uphill route or (recommended) going down a gully. This aided gully helps us to go down for about fifty meters along rocks until we reach a detrital path with which we complete the descent of the gully without equipment. We will reach a crossroads:

1. on the left we continue on the hillside trail that leads us to the start of the Ferrata Grande Cir (1h 45 'a / r - 3h 30' total), or
2. on the right we will keep the path that leads us to the cable car encountered on the first leg and then to the car (40 'from the summit - 2h total).

Notes:

The Ferrata at Piccolo Cir is a pleasant and very climbing ferrata. The itinerary is short and it is definitely recommended to combine it with its neighbor - Ferrata al Gran Cir. Both the via ferratas are short but the panorama they offer us from the peaks are of absolute level. Suitable for beginners of via ferratas if they are used to exposure, in particular due to the presence of a more difficult passage to travel both uphill and downhill.

Opportunities:

The Ferrata del Piccolo Cir starts from the Gardena Pass - also the starting point of the Ferrata al Gran Cir. As indicated in the report, the two via ferratas can be easily matched and the trip requires half a day and is highly recommended. Descending from the Gardena Pass in the direction of Corvara, among others ferrata of the Val Badia, we will meet 3 wonderful routes in the Sella side Sella Group: the Ferrata Tridentina at Pisciadù, the Ferrata at the Piz de Lech and the Via Ferrata of Vallon. Going down instead to Selva di Val Gardena you could opt to go up the Via Ferrata at Sass Rigais. Moving instead on the northern side of the Odle we will be able to climb theAlta via Gunther Messner and the Ferrata to the Sass de Putia.

Moving instead towards Canazei you can reach some wonderful itineraries: the Ferrata dei Finanzieri at Colac al Colac, la Ferrata delle Trincee at the Padon and the Ferrata Piazzetta at the Piz Boè.