Starting points

Kreuzbergpass – Südtirol/Belluno

This starting point is described in this book with day 1 on page 30. The Kreuzbergpass is easily accessible from South Tyrol by public transport. There are good train connections to Innichen and from there, in the high season, buses run every half hour to the Kreuzbergpass. There is a parking lot for private cars coming from Sexten at the pass summit on the left side of the road (north). This car park is subject to a charge in the high season (4 euros per day - status 2020). If you want to park your car for free, you can do so in Sexten village at the Helmseilbahn. During the season there is public transport (every half hour), with which you can easily reach the Kreuzbergpass. The Kreuzbergpass can also be reached by public transport from the province of Belluno. However, here the buses do not run as regularly as on the South Tyrolean side. Coming from the south you can take the train to Calalzo. From there you can take the “Dolomitibus” (about 10 rides per day) to Santo Stefano or Padola. From there you can take the “SAS” connection to the Kreuzbergpass (about 10 rides per day). As the timetables change annually and the buses do not necessarily run regularly, it is essential to obtain up-to-date information in advance. (See “Public transport” on page 19)

Kartitsch – Lesachtal - Osttirol

This starting point is described at day 2 on page 34. From the Austrian side you can enter the Dolomiti senza confini from the quiet and quaint Lesachtal. With the entry from Kartitsch, the technically most difficult climb of the via ferrata round is on route right on the first day. By car or taxi, one drives from Sillian/Strassen into the Lesachtal. Immediately after Kartitsch turn right into the Erschbaumer Tal (sawmill). Now you follow the bumpy road for a few kilometers to the end of the valley. There is a free parking lot. This car park is not accessible by public transport. However, it can be reached by a hike of about two hours from Kartitsch. Those who want to travel by public transport can take the train to Sillian and then the bus to Kartitsch.

Obertilliach – Lesachtal – Osttirol

This starting point is described at day 3 on page 42. From the quaint Lesachtal you can also enter the Dolomites without borders via the Dorfertal and the Porzehütte. This cosy hut offers a good place to stay for the night before the start of the tour. Coming from Sillian, at the entrance to Obertilliach turn right into the Dorftal and follow the bumpy road to the Klapfsee. There is a free parking lot. From the Klapfsee you hike along the wide path 461 to the new Porzehütte (250 vertical meters – 45 Minuten). This starting point is not accessible by public transport. However, you can reach the Porzehütte in a 2.5-hour hike (580 vertical meters - 7km) from Obertilliach through the Dorfertal. Those who want to travel by public transport can take the train to Sillian and then the bus to Obertilliach.

Padola - Comelico - Belluno

This starting point is described at day 5, on page 52 . When you enter the Dolomiti senza confini from the beautiful Valgrande, the most demanding stage of the via ferrata in terms of overall requirements is on route right on the first day. An advantage of this start is that it can be tackled well rested. The cosy Lunellihütte is a good place to spend the night before the start. So you can start hiking early in the morning directly from the hut. The hut is accessible by car and offers free parking. Those who wish to arrive by public transport can take the train to Calalzo. From there, take the Dolomitibus to Padola and continue with the SAF to the bus stop “Localita Moé”. From there you can reach the Lunellihütte in about one hour.

Auronzohütte - Auronzo - Belluno

This starting point is described at day 7 on page 64. If you start the Dolomites without borders from the Auronzohütte, you begin the tour at the Drei Zinnen and thus at the most famous and most frequented place of the via ferrata. With this start, comparatively short and technically simple daily stages with only a few vertical meters are on route for the first few days. This starting point is ideal if you want to add the variation in the Cadini group after having climbed the “classic” Dolomiti senza confini. In the Auronzohütte or the nearby Lavaredohütte you will find a good place to stay for the night before the start of the tour. The Auronzohütte is very easily accessible by car. The parking lot is at the end of a toll road. The driveway costs 30 Euros and each additional day at the parking lot costs 5 Euros (2020).

Those who want to arrive by public transport can take the train to Calalzo. Then take the Dolomitibus to Auronzo or Cortina. From these towns you can reach the Auronzohütte again with the Dolomitibus. As the timetables change annually and the buses do not necessarily run regularly, you should obtain up-to-date information in advance. From the South Tyrolean side, you can take the train to Toblach and from there the bus to the Auronzohütte. (See “public transport” on page 19)

Fischleintal – Sexten – Südtirol

This starting point is described at day 8 on page 70. From the town Sexten you can easily enter the Dolomiti senza confini through the beautiful Fischleintal. Ideal if you want to start the via ferrata round “moderately difficult”. The Talschlusshütte invites you to spend the night before the start there. It can be reached in a half-hour walk from the car park at the Fischleinboden (subject to charge: 6 Euro/day; status 2020). The Fischleintal is also very well accessible by public transport. There are good train connections to Innichen and from there, in the high season, buses run every half hour to the Fischleinboden.