Overview
Hanging bridge on the Kaiserjägersteig Via Ferrata
The Kaiserjägersteig (Italian: Sentiero dei Kaserjäger) is a Via Ferrata to the summit of Lagazuoi Piccolo. The route is graded “A” (Austrian gradation) or “K1” (German gradation) and therefore best described as “easy”. The route starts at the Falzarego pass and goes up along the south Face of Lagazuoi Piccolo. It is one of two Via Ferrata routes present on the south face of Lagazuoi. The other route is the Galleria/ Tunnel Via Ferrata. The Kaiserjägersteig is named after the Austrian soldiers who fought against the Italians on Lagazuoi during the first world war. The word Jäger (meaning "hunter" or "huntsman") is a characteristic term used for light infantry or light infantrymen in German-speaking military context.
Kaiserjägersteig / Sentiero dei Kaiserjäger & Marmolada
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The 3 Tofana's from the summit
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The Kaiserjägersteig can be combined with the Galleria/Tunnel Via Ferrata to create a nice roundtour. It is also possible to descend using the Lagazuoi cablecar, but only in summer when the cablecar is operating. The route is a combination of a hiking trail and a "true" Via Ferrata. The most famous asset of the route is the large wooden hanging bridge along the route that enables climbers to cross a large ravine. The route takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete starting from the Falzarego Pass and up to the summit of Lagazuoi Piccolo. The best time for climbing this route is during the summer months and the period after summer when there is no snow on the mountain.
A perfect ZigZag (hiking trail) on the Kaiserjägersteig
Route Description
Route Topo (left part) The route starts at the
Falzarego pass and is the only trail heading towards the North-NW from the Pass. The trail more or less follows the line of the cableway going up the mountain. Follow the
well-marked trail up and soon the trail changes direction towards the west. Keep following the trail until the Via Ferrata starts. This first part takes about 30 minutes. The Via Ferrata is easy at all times (
K1/A) and is partly a Via Ferrata and partly a hiking trail. The route crosses a wooden hanging bridge to cross a
large ravine. The route goes up along the
south Face of Lagazuoi until the crest is reached. At his point you have arrived on the
west ridge of Lagazuoi and you can see towards the northern side of the mountain for the first time. This point is marked by a wooden sign stating
Kaiserjägersteig. At this poiont you can already spot the summit cross of Lagazuoi Piccolo in the distance. From here an easy hiking trail goes towards the east and up to
the summit of Lagazuoi Piccolo. It is also possible to use this route descending Lagazuoi towards the Falzarego pass. Also see
the map at left for further details.
Route: Photo Overview
This photo overview shows the whole route from Passo Falzarego up to the summit of Lagazuoi Piccolo:
Essential Gear
Good hiking/Via Ferrata shoes are mandatory as well as warm clothing. A Via ferrata set is also needed for Climbing this route. If you plan on descending along the Galleria/Tunnel Via Ferrata be sure to bring a headlight/flashlight for the tunnels.
Getting There
Passo Falzarego The starting point for most routes on Lagazuoi is the
Falzarego Passroad (2105m). This passroad is located at a junction of 3 roads coming together near the actual Falzarego pass. From the east the Falzarego pass is reached along road
SR48 from
Cortina d’Ampezzo (about 30 minutes). From the west the Falzarego Pass is reached along route
SR48 in about 30 minutes coming from
Arabba. The third and last route comes from the north. It takes about 30 minutes to get from
Badia, via the Valparola Pass, to Falzarego. The route starts directly behind the parking lot you can see on the photo at left. The photo is taken from near the start of the route.
For a route planner (Google) to get to the Falzarego Pass click here.
When to climb
Still a lot of snow on route in May Lagazuoi can be climbed best during the
summer months until fall (June / October) when there is
no snow present on the mountain. Especially the Via Ferrata routes are
increasingly difficult (or impossible) with snow present, so be sure to check the present conditions.
Maps and books
Books:Klettersteigfuhrer Dolomiten-Sudtirol-Gardasee
Publisher: Alpinverlag Jentzsch-Rabl (German withEnlish summaries)
ISBN/EAN: 9783902656179
Maps:
Kompass WK55 Cortina d'Ampezzo - 1:50.000 – ISBN/EAN 9783850265119
External Links
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