I watched a Globe Trekker presentation on TV last night. Wow!

Did anyone see it?

Better yet, has anyone gone on the "Via ferrata" in the Dolomites?

Paging Mr. James...Mr. Steve James...pick up the white courtesy phone, please.

The white phone?! Dammit - I always get that wrong ;

Tuck - Much as I love the Dolomites, I've never done a via ferrata (- I don't do precipices )

You need to be pretty fit for the vie ferrate, that's for sure. But it's undoubtedly the way to go if you want a 'real' Dolomites experience, close-up and personal ...

There are a number of mountain-guide organisations in the various resorts that offer the 'Vie Ferrate' experience - either for a one-day 'taster,' or a week-long expedition through one or more of the Dolomite ranges (- staying at the mountain refuges en route).

Here are a couple in the Gardena/Castelrotto area:
http://dolomiten-alpin.com/eng/klettersteige.htm
http://www.catores.com/cms/index.php?en_Vie_ferrate

Here are some more links on the Vie Ferrate:

http://www.dolomiti.it/eng/itinerari/altevie/dx.htm

http://www.planetmountain.com/english/Trekking/ferrate/

http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/Cortin...ubarea=ampezzo

http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/Cortin...ate/index.html

http://freespace.virgin.net/paul.ben...lo/routes.html

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thanks for the response Steve - with mr_go's help, I just knew you'd come through...

I marvel at not only the hikers and climbers, but the people who built and created these trails in the first place!

It's hard to imagine how they did it. Amazing!

The via ferrata fascinates me and alas, I have concluded my chance has passed me by--too old to teach this dog a new trick. Still, the thought of climbers and "hikers" using this route whilst I hike along the many trails is thrilling. Many thanks to Steve James for showing us this option along with all the other great info on the Dolomites. Paul

The 'Via Ferrata' experience -

Slideshow (- not mine)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ploerr/tags/ferrata/show/

Hey Mr Go - How about checking it out for us?

Steve

Hey Steve, I just watched the slide show. I could actually see mr_go and DD wanting to do some of these (maybe not the ones straight up and down cliffs). They're the ones who went bungy jumping in Australia, after all. I'm afraid it's not for me, though. I don't do heights well

Who will be the first Fodorite to post a Trip Report entitled something akin to "Finding My Footing Along the Via Ferrata" ?

My moneys's definitely on Mr Go, Tuck. From what Ms Go says, if he does bungy-jumping, he'll do anything ...

Hey Mr Go - how about paragliding off the Sasso Lungo while you're at it, too? That looks great. Or ... Tarzaning off the Sella?

'Go' for it You only live once.

Steve

Hey now, let's not get carried away! Bungy-jumping is a bit nerve wracking, but at least there's no discernible skill involved. Paragliding...might be biting off a little more than I can chew!

Nice slide show, btw. Thanks for the link.