Italy’s Via Ferrata
Translating as ‘iron way’, a via ferrata is a protected climbing route. The ‘iron’ of the description relates to the system of cables and ladders, securely fixed to the mountainside, onto which you are clipped, so you can scale steep crags and exposed routes safely. You’ll be wearing a body harness with safety ropes securely attached, and a helmet, too. So, although via ferrata vacations often fall within the bracket of ‘walking’, in fact, they are much more akin to rock climbing. This is no walk in the park, though; it’s not even trekking. This is protected scrambling on high mountain routes that, were it not for this system of cables, would only be accessible to mountaineers.
Our Italy walking Vacations
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Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
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US $1649 to US $1949
8 days
ex flights
Tuscany tours, walking and wine tasting in Italy
Walking and wine tasting in Tuscany
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8 days
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Snowshoeing vaction in the Dolomites
Michelin recommended cuisine & inspiring walks
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Piedmont walking vacation, Vineyards of Barolo
A gastronomic gem quietly tucked away
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£2095 to £2249
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Sicily walking vacation, Sicilian Volcanoes
Discover Mt Etna and the beautiful volcanic achipelago
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US $1449 to US $1679
8 days
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Dolomites walking vacation in Italy
Sandwiched between the spectacular peaks of the Dolomites
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US $1879 to US $2349
8 days
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Tuscany hiking vacation, Italy
Discover Tuscany hiking from town to town
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€780 to €950
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Cinque Terre walking vacation
Walk the stunning coastal routes of the Cinque Terre
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US $1749 to US $1879
8 days
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Puglia and Basilicata walking vacation in Italy
Unique regions between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas
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US $1879
8 days
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Umbria self guided hiking vacation, Italy
Easy hiking tour, through vineyards and cultural heritage
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€730 to €1900
7 days
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Umbria self guided walking vacation, the North Valley
Along Saint Francis trails through the Green Heart of Italy
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€1300 to €2500
7 days
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Mont Blanc Circuit trek, with hotel accommodation
Classic Tour, using small inns and guesthouses
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US $4349 to US $4449
15 days
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Walking vacation in Tuscany
A variety of daywalks in the beautiful Tuscan countryside
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US $1749 to US $2099
8 days
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Mont Blanc Circuit hiking vacation
Probably the most dramatic walk in Europe
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US $2449
15 days
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Sardinia walking vacation, Italy
Superb daywalks amid rich and charming scenery
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US $1879
8 days
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Mont Blanc vacation, Tour du Mont Blanc
The best of the Tour du Mont Blanc
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US $1879 to US $1949
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Lake Como family walking vacation, Italy
Lake Como; a panoramic hike, suited to do with children!
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€693 to €956
8 days
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Italian Alps walking and cooking vacation
Experience the Grandeur and Gastronomy of our Italian Alps
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€1100
8 days
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Bergamo circular walking tour in Italy
Begamo; start hiking at about 5 km distance from the airport
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€725 to €999
8 days
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Amalfi coast small group hiking vacation
This walking vacation explores the spectacular Amalfi Coast.
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US $1450
8 days
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Amalfi Coast budget walking vacation
The hidden trails of the Amalfi Coast
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£585 to £710
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Prosecco Hills walking vacation, Italy
The Prosecco Road, Italy’s oldest wine route
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US $1799 to US $2099
8 days
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Cinque Terre hiking vacation, Italy
Cinque Terre self-guided walking along vineyards and seaside
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€910 to €1235
8 days
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Magna Via Francigena walking vacation in Sicily
Travel the ancient road from Palermo to Agrigento
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US $1190
8 days
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Francigena Way walking vacation Lucca to Siena
Walking vacation through the Tuscan countryside
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US $1159 to US $1206
8 days
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Piedmont walking vacation, self guided
Great walking, mouth-watering food and wonderful wines
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US $975
8 days
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Walking vacation in Italy, in the Footsteps of St Francis
Wonderfully scenic walking and historic hilltop towns
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£1435 to £1499
9 days
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Lake Como walking vaction
A relaxed walking vacation on Lake Como
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US $1590 to US $1680
8 days
ex flights
Dolomites guided walking vacation in Italy
Hike the Dolomites in northern Italy
From
US $1450
7 days
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Via Ferrata in the Dolomites
The craggy peaks of the Dolomites in northeastern Italy attract thousands of walkers and hikers each year, but adventurous souls who are up for a new challenge and enjoy a bit of scrambling can opt to tackle the via ferrata system that runs through these dramatic mountains. This is a chance to follow routes that are rugged, high and exposed, along ridges and up rock faces, far away from the day trip walkers. The via ferrata in the Dolomites involves climbing to a maximum of 2,910m, but an average height of 2,300m so, it goes without saying, this via ferrata is not suitable for vertigo sufferers.
What does the via ferrata in the Dolomites entail?
Obviously, you can’t head out on the via ferrata in the Dolomites alone – it’s way too dangerous and requires specialist guides and equipment – so joining a small group, center based vacation is the best bet. This will take a group of no more than 16 people out on a series of high level mountain walks, including via ferrata for the ascents, with the guidance of a local, English speaking UIAGM guide (one guide for every eight people on the trip). The UIAGM is the Union Internationale des Associations de Guides de Montagnes (aka the International Federation of Mountain Guides). Its guides are trained to a very high standard in rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering and ski mountaineering, and they also bring lots of local knowledge – you’ll be in safe hands.
At the start of the trip you’ll have an introduction on how to use the via ferrata equipment safely, and your first day’s excursion is typically some high level walking involving only a few sections of via ferrata, to ease you in gently. After that, your guides will simply pick the best route each day, depending on the group’s ability and the weather. There are a number of via ferrata routes threading through the Dolomites, so there’s always choice and flexibility. You’ll have a free day, too, for walking, biking or just relaxing.
At the start of the trip you’ll have an introduction on how to use the via ferrata equipment safely, and your first day’s excursion is typically some high level walking involving only a few sections of via ferrata, to ease you in gently. After that, your guides will simply pick the best route each day, depending on the group’s ability and the weather. There are a number of via ferrata routes threading through the Dolomites, so there’s always choice and flexibility. You’ll have a free day, too, for walking, biking or just relaxing.
It’s probably no surprise that tackling the via ferrata on high mountain routes demands a good level of physical fitness. Some sections take you up or down vertical rock faces, so you’ll not only need to be fit, but will need good upper body and arm strength, too. Don’t sign up for a via ferrata vacation unless you’re totally confident of your physical fitness, and your ability to deal with heights and difficult underfoot terrains such as scree, snow or steep paths. You don’t need previous climbing or via ferrata experience, but some experience of high level mountain walking and a good head for heights are necessary, as you’ll often be walking or scrambling on high and exposed sections – not the place to discover you have vertigo.
The via ferrata in the Dolomites includes steep ups and downs on gravel or rocky terrain, and you’ll be notching up an average ascent/descent of about 800m each day. Walking days are long – think between six to nine hours, sometimes even longer during busy periods and on days when you’re crossing high passes. Add stamina to your ‘must pack’ list.
You will also need to be ready for any curve balls the weather decides to lob at you, too, so pack some mental resilience and all-weather kit. In the Dolomites – as with any mountains – the weather can change rapidly. In the summer you can expect rain on one day in two, which typically falls in heavy, short-lived downpours, rather than prolonged showers. It’s always cooler at altitude, but you can still work up a sweat climbing here in high summer, only to be drenched by a thunderstorm. So be prepared for anything and everything. Pack shorts as well as warmer clothes, full waterproofs and sun cream.
The weather can be very variable: take walking gear to cover both warm and cool days, e.g. a thick and thin pair of trousers & shirt.![]()
– Tim Stapenhurst in a review of his via ferrata walking vacation in the Dolomites
Our top Italy walking Vacation
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1649 to US $1949
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 19 Dec
2021: 20 Feb, 6 Mar, 27 Mar, 10 Apr, 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 23 Dec, 30 Dec
2022: 12 Feb, 19 Feb, 26 Feb, 5 Mar, 12 Mar, 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 30 Apr, 7 May, 14 May ...
2020: 19 Dec
2021: 20 Feb, 6 Mar, 27 Mar, 10 Apr, 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 23 Dec, 30 Dec
2022: 12 Feb, 19 Feb, 26 Feb, 5 Mar, 12 Mar, 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 30 Apr, 7 May, 14 May ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Italy walking or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Best time to do the via ferrata
Organised small group tours that scale the via ferrata in the Dolomites only run in the summer months of July, August and September, when the weather is warm and reasonably settled, and there’s not too much snow at high altitude. Down in the valleys during this time, daytime temperatures range from 12°C to 22°C although they can push up to 25°C in July and August. Up in the mountains, it will be a few degrees colder.
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Travel either side of the hotter summer months and you’ll find the best time to go on a walking vacation in Italy.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: TimOve] [Top box: Amir Zmora]
[What it entails: Amir Zmora]
[Tim Stapenhurst review: Amir Zmora]
[Best time to go: TimOve]
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