Via Ferrata Torre di Toblin
Hike overview
The Via Ferrata delle Scalette, also known as the Torre di Toblin, is located in the heart of the Tre Cime Nature Park. It leads to the summit of a rock tower facing the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. This short but steep route is named for the numerous metal ladders that link chimneys, corners, and exposed ledges.
It is an intense via ferrata with a magnificent view, though high-season traffic can sometimes cause congestion on the cables.
Remarks
Access: To reach Rifugio Locatelli, the starting point of the via ferrata, refer to the guide for the Tour of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The quickest route is to start from Rifugio Auronzo and follow trail no. 101 counterclockwise (about 1 hour and 15 minutes).
Equipment: A helmet, harness, and via ferrata lanyard are mandatory. Gloves are recommended for the ladders and cables.
Best period: From early July to October, depending on snow conditions. Be aware that late or early snowfall can leave ice on the north face for several days.
Description and difficulties of the hike
The approach from Rifugio Locatelli is short and well-marked: you circle Torre di Toblin in a clockwise direction, passing the foot of a World War I military shelter, and reach the start of the via ferrata in about fifteen minutes.
The ascent follows the north face, which remains in the shade — the rock can be damp or icy long after a snowfall, even in the summer. The difficulties are concentrated in a few technical passages: an initial vertical corner, a long chimney where footholds are sparse in places (arm strength required), and a final exposed rock step before the summit. Between these sections, the route mainly proceeds along highly exposed iron ladders. The 2,564-meter summit, marked by a cross, offers a breathtaking panorama of the Tre Cime, Monte Paterno, and the main ranges of the Sesto Dolomites.
The descent follows a second equipped route, the Hosp Via Ferrata, on the east slope: it is significantly easier and less steep and brings you back to the base of the tower in about twenty minutes. It is strongly advised that you follow the recommended route, ascending via the via ferrata delle Scalette and descending via the Hosp. Reversing this order or doing an out-and-back on the same slope creates dangerous crossings on the vertical ladders.
What you'll love
- The short but intense route that combines iron ladders and chimneys in less than an hour—ideal for complementing a day on the Tre Cime.
- The magnificent 360° panorama from the summit cross, with the Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the foreground and the most beautiful peaks of the Dolomites on the horizon.
Map and elevation profile of the hike
Slideshow
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