Via ferrata Passo Santner is a short but exhilarating route amongst the chimneys and gullies of the western part of the Rosengarten group in the Italian Dolomites. The ferrata leads to one of my favourite views in the Dolomites – the Vajolet Towers. A climber’s playground and a landscape photographer’s dream, the Vajolet towers prove that Mother Nature is the perfect sculptor.
Total round-trip distance
8.1 kilometres/ 5 miles
Elevation gain
870 meters / 2854 feet
Difficulty
Beginner (B)
Time required
5-6 hours
Overview of the Via Ferrata Passo Santner
Via ferrata Passo Santner is a beginner-level route located in the Rosengarten Nature Park in the Italian Dolomites. Thanks to its exciting features, it is one of my personal favourites. The route stretches between Rifugio Fronza and Rifugio Passo Santner. The latter was built only recently, and thanks to its beautiful A-frame design, it quickly became one of the most famous mountain huts of the Alps.
TIP: If you have a few days in the Dolomites and would like to spend them hiking between the Alpine Huts, consider following my 3-5-day Rosengarten Traverse. Via ferrata Passo Santner is crossed on the second day of this backpacking trip.
The map & elevation profile of Via Ferrata Passo Santner
Important info about the via ferrata Passo Santner
Via Ferrata Passo Santner is a beginner-level route that is well-marked and easy to follow. The cable protection is placed nicely in difficult sections. You will also come across ladders and bolts protruding from the wall. They help tremendously with tackling the tricky parts. The route isn’t as exposed as other iron paths I’ve done in the Dolomites, but it still makes up for an exciting excursion in the mountains.
When to go: June – mid-October
Via ferrata exposition: west
Trail numbers: 542, 541, 550
Highest point: 2720 meters / 8924 feet
Map required: Tabacco map no. 029 (Rosengarten) or Tabacco map no. 06 (Val Di Fassa)
Parking: Nova Levante or Malga Frommeralm
Start/End: Rifugio Fronza (Kölnerhütte)
Nearest towns: Welschnofen, Carezza
Getting there
Via Ferrata Passo Santner begins at the top of the König Laurin II gondola, next to the Fronza Alpine Hut (Kölner Hütte). There is a three-tier gondola that runs from Nova Levante (Welschnhofen) to the hut. You will first have to take the Nova Levante – Malga Frommer gondola, then the Königh Laurin I and Königh Laurin II gondolas to reach the Fronza hut. Nova Levante can be reached via public transport or by car. Alternatively, you can skip the first gondola and take a bus or drive to Malga Frommer Alm. You can check the summer lifts here under the Carezza tab.
By bus
The bus stop near the gondola station in Nova Levante is called Nova Levante Centro. Buses 180 and 184 operate on this route.
If you choose to start at Malga Frommeralm instead, you will need to take bus 186 and get off at the Frommer bus stop.
You can look for bus connections on the Südtirolmobil website.
By car
If you choose to begin in Nova Levante, park your car near the gondola station. Use the link for navigation.
If you start at Malga Frommeralm, search for the Albergo Frommeralm near Carezza in your GPS or Google Maps. There is a paid parking lot at the bottom of the König Laurin I gondola.
Nova Levante is easier to drive to compared to Malga Frommeralm. The latter requires driving on very narrow, winding roads.
Stages of the via ferrata
Approach:
Starting right behind the Fronza hut, you will reach a fork after a short but intense scramble with some intermittent cables on path no. 542/550. Soon, you will emerge onto a path right underneath the western wall of the Rosengarten/Catinaccio group. From here, you will get a clear view of where the route leads. After 15 minutes of mostly flat walking, the path starts climbing again, and the fun begins.
Via Ferrata:
Via ferrata Passo Santner follows a tight gully, so the exposure doesn’t pose challenges. The cable protection and the placement of ladders and iron rods are excellent, making scrambling quite easy. Around two-thirds of the way along Via Ferrata Passo Santner, you will find yourself in a gully with a fantastic view of the spires, typical for the Dolomites. It will give you a great taste of what’s coming ahead – The Vajolet Towers.
After around 2-2.5 hours, you will reach the end of the via ferrata and the objective for the day—the Santner Pass. A newly built mountain hut (Rifugio Passo Santner) is right on the saddle, with amazing views of the Vajolet towers.
Descent & Return:
To return to the top of the gondola and avoid going back the same way, which I do not recommend, you can use path no. 542 down to the Vajolet hut. From there, turn onto path 541, followed by no. 550 via Passo Da La Colonelle. This should take you another 2.5-3 hours.
TIP: If your base is in any town in Val Di Fassa and you travelled to the Via Ferrata Passo Santner trailhead by bus, you can take the faster exit to Ciampede after you complete the route. The Vajolet I+II gondola will take you down to Pozza Di Fassa. This article describes this route.
Overnight stay & dining possibilities
There are plenty of opportunities for lunch or an overnight stay in an alpine hut on the via ferrata Passo Santner. Apart from the already-mentioned Rifugio Passo Santner, you can stay at Rifugio Re Alberto Primero (pictured above). Both huts are within eyesight of one another, and both have amazing views of Vajolet Towers.
The huts stay open from mid-June until mid-October. They are both privately owned, but the fees for the huts in this area are typically reasonable and include food. That means fewer things to carry in your backpack.
If both huts are fully booked, two more are along the exit route: Rifugio Vajolet and Preuss.
Where to stay nearby
If you would like to discover the wonders of the Rosengarten Nature Park in the Dolomites, I recommend choosing the Fassa Valley as your base. Canazei, Campitello or Vigo di Fassa are just some towns in the valley, and they all lie within a few minutes’ drive of one another. Here are a couple of my recommendations for hotels in Val Di Fassa
Best Value
Self-catering apartments are only a 10-minute walk from the centre of Canazei in the Fassa Valley.
Top Rated
Locanda degli Artisti Art Hotel
This lovely hotel has a fantastic bar and restaurant. It is a great place for art lovers, and the hotel boasts some quirky art decorations.
Other activities nearby
Travel resources for the Dolomites
Shop my via ferrata gear essentials
Black Diamond Helmet
Rockfall is a significant concern on via ferrata routes. Unbeknownst to you, other climbing groups above you may accidentally dislodge a small rock and send it down the mountain. If it hits you on the head, it could have serious consequences. A helmet on your head (not inside your backpack) is necessary.
Shop on: Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Black Diamond Momentum Harness
Another must-have on a via ferrata route is a climbing harness. A harness works as an anchor point for your via ferrata lanyard. Try it before your trip to ensure it fits snugly without limiting your movements. Aim for a lightweight harness that will be comfortable to wear between the cable-protected sections when hiking.
- Shop Women’s on Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
- Shop Men’s on Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Edelrid, Camp or Black Diamond Via Ferrata Lanyard
A via ferrata lanyard connects the climber and their harness to the cables along the route. Its two arms and a hidden extra coil work as an energy absorption system in case of a fall. The two carabiners at the end of the lanyard clip into the cable. Make sure the carabiners are equipped with the palm squeeze mechanism. It’s the safest and most comfortable.
Shop on Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Black Diamond Crag Gloves
The gloves protect your hands from cuts and scratches you may otherwise get if you haul yourself on the cable without them. I prefer full-finger gloves for extra protection against blisters. If your hands sweat quickly, go for the fingerless version.
Shop on: Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Salewa Wildfire Edge Approach Shoes
This is my go-to pair of hiking shoes for more accessible trails or via ferrata, where I don’t need extra ankle support. They provide excellent grip on the rock and are very durable.
Shop on: Amazon (Worldwide) / Backcountry (US)
Reeloq Smartphone Securing System
If you want to take great photos on a via ferrata without worrying about losing your phone, Reeloq is the best tool for it. It’s a smartphone-securing system that allows you to use your phone on any adventure. This has been a great addition to my tool arsenal.
Shop on: REELOQ
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If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!
Is the snow typically melted from this via ferrata by mid June? Do the rental shops rent micro spikes or crampons and would you recommend those for the 5-day Rosengarten via ferratas in mid June? Thanks for all the great information!
Hi Julia. You may run into snow on this via ferrata in June, since it runs through a gully that stays in the shade for much of the day. It is also west-facing. As for microspikes, you’ll need to ask directly in the rental shop, as I am not sure.
Hi. Thanks for the blog, really useful. However, when I clicked on the Gondola link to check for prices, the Koenig Laurin gondola is not listed on it. It may come in another name, but it’s quite confusing for Dolomites beginners!
Hi Rachel. I just updated the link. The original website that I was linking to changed its design. Now it links to the correct area. Thanks for pointing it out.
Hi, Marta, I was so glad to read about Via ferrata Passo Santner. Thank you so much for sharing. Do you have any tips where it would be possible to rent via ferrata sets nearby?
Much appreciated!
Hi Gaile. Thanks for the great feedback! There are rental shops in Fassa Valley. I simply recommend google a sports shop (or noleggio which is rental in italian).
Hello,
we have planned a four-days trip in the Rosengarten group with our kids (13,11 and 8 years). Because of availability of the huts, we want to do the Via ferrata Passo Santer from Rifugio Re Alberto till Rifugio Kolner/Fronza. So it will be the opposite direction as you describe here. Do you think that will be possible?
greetings,
Lore & co
Hi Lore, Thanks for visiting. Via Ferrata Passo Santner is meant to be done from Kolner/Fronza hut up to Passo Santner. If you do it the other way around you will be downclimbing the whole route. It will also mean you will be going against traffic. Since you are a group of 5 that will make it very inconvenient for anyone going up and also for yourself. So while doable, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Hello Marta,
Thanks for your response. We managed to change our route so we can do it from Fronza Hutte to Passo Santner.
Do you think the Via Ferrata will be possible for our 8 years old son? What to take into consideration?
Hi Lore. That’s great to think. As for your question about your son, I really don’t know and I can’t answer that. I’ve seen plenty of kids on via ferratas harder than Passo Santner, but all kids are different. I often see parents carrying an extra rope with them and tying themselves to their child for extra protection.
Hi Marta,
Thanks for all the descriptions and the pictures. My boyfriend and I are going to the Dolomites in September and would like to do a via ferrata. Do you recommend a guiding agency ? We find Pow Rock but there are not a lot reviews about that agency. Thanks in advance !
Hi Catherine. Thanks for visiting. Unfortunately I never did any guided via ferratas, so can’t recommend any, but there are plenty of guides living in the Dolomites, whose job is to take tourists on outings. Cortina has some guiding agencies and places in Val Gardena or Val Di Fassa too.
Hi Marta!
My husband and I completed this route yesterday (absolutely stunning and wonderful adventure, thank you for the route description!), and we found that the Laurin chairlift (now a gondola) has changed its pricing astronomically from what you had posted here a few years ago. We ended up hiking up from the bottom of the lift to Rosengarten Hut which tacked on another hour.
Thanks again for this wonderful description that guided our great day!
Hi Rea! I am glad to hear you liked that ferrata. Thanks for the feedback! I am slowly updating the blog posts with new prices. This one is still on the to do list. You must be fast if it only took you an hour of walking up.
Hi. Thanks for your posts. They are fantastic! I am going to the Dolomites with my family the first week of August. We have never done via Ferrata and I was wondering if we could reach the new hut just hiking. Thanks
Hi Veronica. You can hike to Rifugio Passo Santner along the trail via rifugio Vajolet. I am talking about it here.
There is however a short chain protected section between rifugio Vajolet and Rifugio Re Alberto. It’s not a via ferrata section, but you should take care when hiking up and down along this section.
Hi, Marta, I plan to go to Dolomites this September. I like to hike Via Ferrata Passo Santner. I am interest in take pictures in Sun rise and Sunset. I need to stay at least one night at Gartlhuette Rlfugio Re Alberto. Are there a lot of people? Do I need to make reservation?
thanks, in advance.
Jason Lee
Hi Jason. I would definitely recommend prebooking the hut as it is a popular one. September is quieter but after the pandemic things got a bit crazy so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Hi! You mention to purchase map Tobacco nr 6 … do you know where to buy it?
Hi Ryan. I have updated the post with the amazon link to the map. I hope that helps!
Hi Marta, thank you so much for the incredibly helpful information! My boyfriend and I will be staying at Santner pass hut in September, and would like to do the via ferrata to get there. Is there a place close by to the start near Carezza where you would recommend renting via ferrata gear?
Thank you!
Courtney
Hi Courtney. Thanks for stopping by. I am stoked to hear you are staying in the Santner Pass hut. You are up for a treat. As for your question try contacting Sport Laurin – Skiverleih & Bikeverleih Welschnofen. It’s a ski rental but they run summer rentals too. If not I know some shops in Campitello di Fassa rent out VF gear, but it’s a bit further into the valley. I hope that helps! Let me know if they do. I am sure other people can benefit from that information.
Thanks so much for all the recommendations Marta! Loved this via ferrata (especially the great cafe at Refugio Santner) as well as many of the other beginner ones you posted, a great starting spot for anyone doing there first ones in the Dolomites as I was. A note on timings, I was rushed to do this but did the full loop, including Vajalot, in 4hrs so it’s doable as a half day adventure for those with the legs! Thanks again for the recommendations.
Hi Kel! Thanks for the great feedback. Sounds like you really zoomed this route. I had others giving me feedback that they spend a half day going up to Passo Santner alone. Just goes to show it’s all down to individuals, their skills and fitness.
Hi Marta,
Love your photos! I’ve been reading a ton of your posts while planning our trip to the Dolomites.
I’m interested in both the hike to Vajolet Towers and Via Ferrata Passo Santner. I’m wondering, is it possible to combine these two in one day? Or do you recommend doing one more than the other?
Hi Cassie. Thanks for stopping by. It absolutely is! My description of VF Passo Santner includes the hike to Vajolet towers. You just use it as the exit route after doing the VF. It will be a full day excursion but so worth it! Let me know if you have any more questions!
Did the Passo Santner route at the weekend with my girlfriend, both totally new to Via Ferrata and it was excellent, suitably challenging and exhilarating and unbelievably picturesque.
Just a quick note on the return time as article mentions 2-2.5hrs. We completed the actual Via Ferrata section up to the Santner Hutte in about 2hr40 expecting the 2.5hr walk down a trail back to Koln Hutte…realistically this walk is 3.5-4hrs as you drop down to Vajolet then have to go back up and over the Tschager Joch pass,, we found the sign at Vajolet stating a time of 2hr20 from that point to be pretty accurate and we were moving pretty quickly. Just something to bear in mind when doing what is a fantastic loop
Hi Tom! Thanks for stopping by and for your feedback. I usually give walking times in my posts, they never involve breaks/total elapsed time. It is also a very individual thing. I did however update the post to 3-3.5 hours because you are not the first person to provide me with that feedback. I appreciate your input very much! On another note, I am stoked to hear you had a great time!
Thank you so much
Hello
The articles and pictures are amazing.
My girlfriend and I are fit and want to do via ferrata
We go in Val Gardena from Jun 2 to 12
We do MTB and trail running
When you say for beginners does it mean we can do on our own without guide?
Thank you again
Hi Guillaume. Thanks for the compliments! All routes whether beginner, intermediate or advanced don’t require having a guide with you. Whether you hire a guide or not is entirely up to you. The important thing is that you know how to use the gear to ensure your own safety. Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster is one of my favourites in Val Gardena. Sass Rigais is a great beginner one so start with this one. A very easy one also close to Val Gardena is Gran Cir. This one would only have a few meters of cabled section. Brigata Tridentina is just on the opposite site to via Ferrata Gran Cir. I hope this will help!