SOSAT, a via ferrata in the Brenta Dolomites

SOSAT, a via ferrata in the Brenta Dolomites - Description

Directions

• Start

  Rifugio Tuckett & Sella
  
  From Rifugio Tuckett & Sella (2,272m / 7,454 ft), take trail 0303, which runs in the direction of Bocca di Tuckett. After just a few minutes, take trail 0305/B through the valley at the base of Brenta Inferiore hanging glacier. The start of the via ferrata is just a few meters away. Iron cables, steps and rungs will help you to get past a number of rock climbs and outcroppings to a ledge. Follow this ledge along the entire north face of Punta Massari.The trail continues through typical sections of boulders, outcroppings and the remains of a rockslide from a century ago to the highest point of this via ferrata at 2,460m (8,070 ft). From here you have a spectacular view of Crozzon di Brenta and the Adamello-Presanella group. It is also from here that the most technical section begins as the trail winds through the gorge that descends from Punte di Campiglio along a series of ledges and over a number of equipped outcroppings down to the bottom of the gorge. To this day, you can see the remains of the via that was used long ago to climb up the opposite side of the gorge, whereas today the right side is used a bit more thanks to the new fittings, but this is still certainly the most physically demanding section of the trail. Once you have reached the ledge above, follow it around the corner of Punte di Campiglio. Once around the corner, you will have an amazing view of the central section of the Brenta group, where you will be able to see Rifugio Brentei below and Rifugio Alimonta higher up, as well as (from right to left) Crozzon di Brenta, Cima Tosa, Cima Margherita, Cima Brenta Bassa, Bocca di Brenta, Cima Brenta Alta and, with a bit of luck, if the clouds separate it from Brenta Bassa, Campanil Basso, Campanile Alto, Sfulmini, and Torre di Brenta, as well as Bocca degli Armi, Cima degli Armi, Cima Molveno, Spallone dei Massodi, and Cima Brenta. In just a few minutes, you will reach the final equipped sections of the trail, where a plaque notes that the via ferrata was constructed in 1960 in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the SOSAT Foundation. Continue on to trail 0323, which connects Rifugio Brentei with Rifugio Alimonta, then follow this trail down to Rifugio Brentei (2,182m / 7,159 ft). From the start of trail 0323, Rifugio Alimonta is a climb of about half an hour up to an altitude of 2,580m (8,465 ft).

• end point

  Rifugio Maria & Alberto ai Brentei

required 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)

Tips for the tour

Despite its popularity and relatively low level of difficulty, the length and exposure of this via ferrata call for both experience and physical fitness.

Difficulty

• Difficulty

  Medium

• Fitness

• Experience

• Landscape

Directions

self-arranged arrival
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. You can also take the SOSAT trail starting from Rifugio Maria & Alberto ai Brentei, which you can hike to from Vallesinella in about 2-3 hours.
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.

public transport
Shuttle bus service (in summer) from Madonna di Campiglio (Piazza Brenta Alta) to the Grostè gondola lift and to Vallesinella (from late June to early September).    Check schedule and pricing online or ask for the booklet from the tourist office at Via Pradalago, 4.    You may also check the bus schedule of Trentino Trasporti at www.ttesercizio.it.