Every time I read that a ridgeline traverse is mentioned in the description of a route, whether it’s a hike or via ferrata, I immediately add it to my list. Why, you may wonder? Because they always offer the best views-to-effort ratio. When I first read that the Via Ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano runs along a ridgeline, it quickly made its way onto my Dolomites adventure bucket list.
Total round-trip distance (excl. approach)
4.4 kilometres/ 2.7 miles
Elevation gain (excl. approach)
270 meters / 886 feet
Difficulty
Beginner (B)
Time required
2-3 hours
Overview of the via ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano
Via ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano (in German: Maximiliansteig) is one of 6 iron paths in the Rosengarten Mountain Group in the Italian Dolomites. The via ferrata crosses the Terrarossa ridgeline and culminates at the peak of Terrarossa, offering fantastic views over the surrounding mountains. Even though this is a beginner-level via ferrata, it shouldn’t be underestimated. The real challenge is the short, but unprotected scrambling sections characterised as class I climbing. Being free from vertigo is a must on this route.
TIP: Via ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano can be done as an extension to a 3-5-day hut-to-hut route through the Rosengarten Group.
The map & elevation profile of the via ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano
Important info about the via ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano
When to go: June – October
Via ferrata exposition: variable
Highest point: Cima di Terrarossa 2655 meters / 8710 feet
Map required: Tabacco map no. 029 (Rosengarten) or Tabacco map no. 06 (Val Di Fassa)
Parking: Depends on the approach (refer to the getting there section)
Start/End: Rifugio Alpe Di Tires
Nearest towns: Campitello di Fassa, Siusi
Getting there
The two nearest towns from which you can start the approach to the ferrata are Siusi and Campitello di Fassa. You can reach both by car or public transport. Your journey will depend on which approach to the Alpe di Tires hut you pick. I discuss them in the next section.
By bus
If you start in Siusi and choose option 1 for the approach to Alpe di Tires, you can catch bus no. 177 and get off at the Seis, Kabinenbahn Seiser Alm bus stop. Check for connections on the Süd Tirol Mobil website.
If you start in Campitello di Fassa (options 2 and 3), you can catch bus no. B101 or B104 and get off in Campitello di Fassa town centre, then walk to the Col Rodella cable car or to the Micheluzzi taxi meeting point. You can check for this connection on the Trentino Trasporti site.
Tip: I usually look for the nearest bus stop by zooming into Google Maps.
By car
If you travel by car, you can leave it at the huge parking lot near the bottom of the Siusi gondola in Siusi (Seis am Schlern)
If you are starting in Campitello di Fassa, leave your car parked at the bottom of the Col Rodella parking lot.
It’s ok to leave cars overnight at both parking lots.
Approach options to the Alpe Di Tires hut
Via ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano starts and ends at the Alpe di Tires hut. Even though it is a relatively short route that can be done in 2-3 hours, you must account for the long approach to the hut as well, before you add the route to your adventure list. Below, I describe a few options to reach the hut.
Option 1: Top of the Siusi gondola to Rifugio Alpe Di Tires across Denti Di Terrarosa saddle
- One way distance: 7.8 km / 4.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 657 m / 2154 feet
- Elevation loss: 63 m / 208 feet
From the town of Siusi, take the Alpe di Siusi Gondola up to Compatsch. From there, follow path number 7, then path number 2. The total time to reach the rifugio from Compatsch is 2,5 hours one way.
Option 2: Top of the Col Rodella cable car to Rifugio Alpe Di Tires
- One way distance: 11.8 km / 7.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 430 m / 1413 feet
- Elevation loss: 443 m / 1454 feet
From Campitello di Fassa, take the Col Rodella Cable car, then hike first toward Rifugio Sassopiatto, then toward the Alpe Di Tires hut. This is my favourite approach. Part of it intersects the Sassolungo Circuit hike.
Option 3: Rifugio Micheluzzi to Rifugio Alpe di Tires
- One-way distance: 7 km / 4.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 592 m / 1942 feet
- Elevation loss: 0 m / 0 feet
From the village of Campitello in Fassa Valley, you can take a taxi to Rifugio Micheluzzi and then hike for 2 hours along path no. 532 across Duron Valley. You can read about the Taxi services on the Rifugio Micheluzzi website.
TIP: Options 2 and 3 can be combined. You can choose one for the approach to the hut, and follow the other on the return to Campitello di Fassa.
Via ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano route description and my experience
You will find the signs for Maximiliansteig right near the hut. After a short but intense 15-minute hike, you will reach a narrow gully.
Because the gully stays in the shade most of the day, it’s prone to icing. The day I picked to traverse the via ferrata, Sentiero Massimiliano, was only a couple of days after a snowfall. At the start of October, the daytime temperatures are still relatively high. They often plummet below zero Celsius at night, melting the snow during the day and then refreezing it overnight. This is the perfect recipe for some icy conditions in a few places.
After the gully crossing, you will quickly reach a col, where you’ll get an aerial view of Alpi di Siusi – one of the most iconic photography spots in the Dolomites. After a section of cables, you will arrive at the first of two summits on today’s agenda: The Dente Grande di Terrarossa (2653 m / 8704 ft).
Marmolada’s south face – the highest peak in the Dolomites and Catinaccio – the highest summit of the Rosengarten group, which we bagged the day before, is visible in the distance. You will also get the first clear view of the entire ridgeline and the Terrarossa peak.
If, for some reason, you are not feeling your best, or the weather has turned for the worse, this is where you will encounter the escape route back to the Alpe Di Tires, clearly marked with the “Notausstieg” sign. It means Emergency Exit.
Due to icy conditions along the route, there was more than one time when we thought about turning back, but I’ve got to admit, I had a bit of summit fever. The prospect of returning after already putting in all that work didn’t seem too appealing.
In the end, we decided to push through and hope the conditions would improve. As a result, my gloves got soaked from grabbing snow-covered rocks and cables, but after a few more cable sections, we were at the top of the Cima di Terrarossa. Tired but happy, we made it in one piece and just in time for sunset. We hung around to watch the sunset and then quickly rushed back to the hut, taking advantage of the last bit of light. The path and refuge are visible from the summit. Forty-five minutes later, we were back at the hut, drinking hot chocolate and already planning our next adventure.
Overnight stay & dining possibilities
Because of the long approach, I recommend an overnight stay in the Alpe di Tires hut when attempting Via Ferrata Sentiero Massimiliano. Otherwise, you will look at a long mountain day (10+ hours). Rifugio Alpe di Tires is a very popular hut, with great amenities. This is a privately owned hut, and it is definitely one of the more luxurious rifugios in the Dolomites. Make sure to book your bed in advance.
TIP: Stay two nights in Rifugio Alpe Di Tires and tackle the nearby Via Ferrata Laurenzi the next day. It is another fantastic ridgeline traverse.
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
Hikes
- Sassolungo Circuit
- Piz Boè Summit
- Sella Group Traverse
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.
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- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
Hello,
I was wondering if it is possible to start the hike from Ortisei. I am staying in Rifugio Firenze the night before. Do you know if the chairlift in Ortisei will take you to Compatsch or will it add extra time to the hike to Alpe di Tires?
Hi Maxwell. The gondola from Ortisei won’t take you to compatsch but up to Alpi Di Siusi. It will be around 1 hour extra to walk from there to Alpe Di Tires. Longer, but most certainly doable in a day. I hope that helps!