recommended route
Via Ferrata Osvaldo Orsi, Brenta Dolomites
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Photo: Apt Madonna di Campiglio Pinzolo Val Rendena FA, APT Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo, Val Rendena
This panoramic via ferrata is not particularly difficult and runs along the mountainside to connect Rifugio Tuckett and Rifugio Pedrotti. The trail runs along the east face at the base of the cliff faces of the Sfulmini range in the central section of the Brenta group.
Running parallel to the Bocchette route but at a lower altitude, this itinerary provides an opportunity to discover some of the more secluded, alluring corners of Brenta, such as Busa degli Sfulmini and Busa degli Armi. The trail runs along scree slopes and glacial drift connected by narrow, partially equipped ledges beneath Cima Baratieri and Punta Iolanda.The trail may be used for the return trip to Rifugio Pedrotti from Bocchette Centrali and Bocchette Alte and on to Bocca del Tuckett.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Safety information
Outlets: none. Warning: this itinerary is very long and physically demanding and requires stable weather conditions.
Please note that the practicability of the itineraries in a mountain environment is strictly linked to the contingent conditions and is therefore influenced by natural phenomena, environmental changes and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this page may have changed. Before leaving for a tour, make sure the path you will approach is still accessible by contacting the owner of the mountain hut, the alpine guides or the visitor centres of the nature parks, the info offices of the local tourist board.
Tips and hints
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
From Rifugio Tuckett & Sella (2,272m / 7,454 ft), climb up along trail O303 and the Brenta Inferiore hanging glacier to Bocca di Tuckett (2,647m / 8,684 ft), where pickaxe and crampons are recommended and often necessary.
Continue down through the gorge on the opposite side of the col, where there may be snow, and shift to the east face of the mountain range.
At the base of the scree slope at a large boulder where there is a fork with the Val Perse trail (no. O322), turn right and follow the trail that runs along the base of the Cima Brenta. Continue across a number of fissures, in which there may be snow, and then follow along the equipped ledges at the base of Torre della Sega Alta.
You will then reach the base of the east face of Spallone dei Massodi and enter a natural amphitheater beneath Cima Spallone dei Massodi, Punta Iolanda, Cima Molveno, and Cima degli Armi. Cross this basin to the base of Campanile degli Armi. Once you have passed this, you will be at Busa degli Sfulmini. If you look up, there is an amazing view of the amphitheater formed by Torre di Brenta, Sfulmini, Campanile Alto, Sentinella, Campanile Basso, and Brenta Alta.
Here, you are at the junction with the via ferrata Felice Spellini. Once you have passed Brenta Alta, the trail heads up towards Rifugio Tosa Pedrotti (2,491m / 8,173 ft).
Public transport
- Shuttle bus service (in summer, from late June to early September) from Madonna di Campiglio (Piazza Brenta Alta) to the Grostè gondola lift and Vallesinella. Check schedule and prices online or ask for the booklet from the tourist office at Via Pradalago 4.
- You may also check the bus schedule of Trentino Trasporti www.ttesercizio.it.
By road
To get to Rifugio Tuckett:
- from Vallesinella, which you can get to by taking trail no. 317 from the south of Madonna di Campiglio (approx. 2 hours);
- from Grostè Pass along the easy-to-intermediate trail no. 316 (approx. 1.5 hrs), which you can reach by way of the Grostè gondola lift. From here to Bocca di Tuckett and to the start of the via ferrata.
You can do the Osvaldo Orsi via ferrata in the opposite direction by starting from Rifugio Tosa Pedrotti, which can be reached on foot from Vallesinella in about 3-4 hours.
Parking
Ample paid parking is available in Vallesinella, although access is restricted (check summer schedule and pricing online).
Ample paid parking is also available at the base of the Grostè gondola lift.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
- "La via delle Bocchette e le vie ferrate. Dolomiti di Brenta", by Pio Ferrari (Italian edition published by Rendena)
- "La Via delle Bocchette e le Ferrate del Brenta", by Roberto Ciri (Italian edition published by Idea Montagna)
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Equipment needed:
- technical mountain clothing
- hiking boots with Vibram or similar sole
- via ferrata gear
- harness
- helmet
- gloves
- pickaxe and crampons (when necessary)
- a length of rope (recommended)
Questions and answers
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