If you want to escape the Tre Cime Nature Park crowds and see the famous three peaks from a slightly different angle, consider tackling the via ferrata Severino Casara. This route has been on my to-do list for too long, but the wait was worth it.
Total round-trip distance (incl. approach)
21 kilometres / 13 miles
Elevation gain
1585 meters / 5200 feet
Difficulty
Intermediate (C)
Time required
8-10 hours
Overview of the via ferrata
Via ferrata Severino Casara circles one of the prominent peaks in the Tre Cime Nature Park – Croda Dei Toni, also known as the Zwoelferkoffel in German. The peak marks the border between the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Belluno.
TIP: Via ferrata Severino Casara is one of the routes I tackled on my 4-day/3-night hut-to-hut Monte Popera Circuit. Check it out if you are after a multiday adventure.
The map of the via ferrata Severino Casara
Important info about the via ferrata Severino Casara
Most of the via ferrata is A/B difficulty, with a few short, steeper sections that require more scrambling (Difficulty B/C). It’s great if you want to graduate from beginner routes and try something slightly more complex.
When to go: July – September
Exposition: east, south, west
Trail numbers: 102, 103, 107
Highest point: 2524 meters / 8281 feet
Parking:
46.66683, 12.35358
Trailhead:
46.66625, 12.3537
Nearest towns: Moso, Sesto, San Candido
Route description
The Via ferrata Severino Casara should be followed clockwise. First, you must tackle the long approach hike from the parking lot to Rifugio Carducci, passing Rifugio Zsigmondy (2.5-3 hours).
You will find the first cables on the Forcella Maria (saddle), a couple of hundred meters from Rifugio Carducci. Soon after, the first of the two suspension bridges will appear. Follow the intermittently placed wires around the mountain until you reach Forcella De l’Agnel. Here, you will find a small alpine bivouac (Bivacco Croda Dei Toni). The bivouac was non-operational when I did this via ferrata in September 2023. The ground, where it was placed, has shifted, and the bivouac was standing precariously on the saddle.
After the saddle, you must come down a steep, unpleasant scree slope and traverse beneath Croda Dei Toni’s western face. Keep your gear on, as a short section of via ferrata is still coming up. Once at Forcella Croda Dei Toni, you can spot Rifugio Zsigmondy in the distance. This is where you can take off your gear.
The total time from Rifugio Carducci to Zsigmondy is 4-5 hours. Once you reach Zsigmondy hut, it’s another 1.5-2 hours downhill back to the parking lot on the same path you hiked in the morning.
Getting there
You can reach the Via ferrata Severino Casara trailhead using public transport or a private vehicle. The latter, however, is only possible outside the high season.
By bus
The bus stop’s name is Pian Di Val Fiscalina. During the summer, bus no. 440 operates along the route. Check the Sued Tirol Mobil info website for the schedule.
By car
Beware of the seasonal driving restrictions in the Fiscalina Valley. For detailed information, head to the official tourism website.
Overnight stay & dining possibilities
Even though the route isn’t challenging, consider the distance and elevation gain in your planning. I only know a few people who can tackle almost 1600 meters (over 5000 feet) in one day. More leisurely hikers might want to consider breaking this route into 2 days and staying overnight at one of the huts: Rifugio Zsigmondy or Carducci (I marked both huts on the map).
The first will make more sense because you pass it twice. That means you can drop some gear off first, then head out to tackle the via ferrata with a much lighter pack.
TIP: If you’ve never stayed in an alpine hut before, read my guide to staying in mountain huts in the Dolomites first.
Where to stay nearby
I recommend staying in an accommodation in any of the small towns in the Puster Valley. There is plenty to do in the area.
Best Value
A cosy small B&B nestled in the mountains with a restaurant serving local produce
Top Rated
Beautiful apartment with Alpine flair and fantastic views towards the Tre Cime Nature Park peaks
