Guide To The Terrific Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster In The Sassolungo Group

Stage 1: Approach from Toni Demetz hut to the start of the cables

• Distance: 3 km (1.9 mi)
• Elevation gain: 270 m (880 ft)
• Elevation loss: 400 m (1300 ft)
• Time required: 1.5 hours

You have two choices once you reach the bottom of the gondola station. One, reserved for the purists, is to walk along path no. 525. The other is to jump onto the ‘coffin’ lift and take yourself to the Sassolungo saddle.

If you choose the first, add 1.5 to 2 hours and 500 meters of elevation gain on a steep scree slope to an already long day. I recommend going with the latter and saving energy for the fun parts. The gondola is open in the summer, from mid-June to the first week of October. You will only need a one-way ticket.

On the top of the Forcella Sassolungo stands the Toni Demetz hut, where you will start your hike. You have just gained 500 meters of elevation from the bottom of the gondola, and I don’t have great news for you. You will now lose most of it.

Follow path 525 through a scree valley, signed for the Rifugio Vicenza (Langkoffelhütte). You should reach it in 45 minutes to an hour. At the Vicenza hut, the path splits.

Follow the signs for via ferrata Oskar Schuster up another scree valley parallel to the one you have just descended. You now have a little over 700 meters of elevation to reach the top of the Sassopiatto – the objective for today. 

At first, you will be going up an unpleasant scree path until you reach the first cables on your right-hand side. This shouldn’t take longer than 45 minutes from the hut. Once you do, it’s time for some fun. 

Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster:

• Distance: 0.6 km (0.4 mi)
• Elevation gain: 340 m (1115 ft)
• Time required: 1 hour

Look out for the red paint marks along the route. They will keep you right on track. The cable protection is excellent, although the exposure is significant in places. You have nothing to worry about if you stay clipped in and watch your steps. In some sections, you will also encounter ladders and iron rods. They help tremendously with tackling the almost vertical walls.

From the top of Sassopiato, you can look down toward Alpi Di Siusi, the famous and iconic photo spot in the Italian Dolomites. To the Southwest is the Rosengarten group, where you can find via ferratas Catinaccio, Sentiero Massimiliano, or Laurenzi, to name a few. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fortunate with the conditions. As soon as we reached the summit, clouds rolled in, and visibility deteriorated.

Descent to Rifugio Sassopiatto

• Distance: 2.5 km (1.6 mi)
• Elevation loss: 590 m (1940 ft)
• Time required: 1 h 20 min

To descend from the peak, follow path no. 527. I recommend purchasing a map to better visualise the whole route from start to finish. The Tabacco map no. 6, which I linked to in the stats, will be perfect, especially if you plan on exploring more of Val Di Fassa.

The scree path no. 527 zig-zags down for about 1 hour to Rifugio Sassopiatto. This is the perfect place to grab lunch and rest before returning to Passo Sella.

Rifugio Sassopiatto to Passo Sella

• Distance: 6 km (3.7 mi)
• Elevation gain: 130 m (430 ft)
• Elevation loss: 240 m (790 ft)w
• Time required: 2 hours

Take the straightforward, gently undulating path 557 from the Sassopiato hut (pictured above). You should return to where you started in about 1.5 -2 hours. This part of the route intersects with the Sassolungo Circuit hike.

The total time required to complete Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster, including the approach and return, is around 6 hours (without breaks). If you decide to walk to Forcella Sassolungo at the start instead of taking the gondola, you should plan to finish in 8 hours.