The Latemar Via Ferrata – also known as Attrezzata Campanili del Latemar – is a scenic, long tour in the westernmost group of the Dolomites. It leads past brittle, bizarrely shaped rock formations between the imposing Latemar towers. The varied route passes through the impressive rocky landscape of the Latemar, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
Since the flanks are not exceptionally steep, the steel cable protections are limited to a few, yet highly interesting key sections. The via ferrata features a combination of natural ledges and climbing passages. Whenever the rock opens up towards the north, you get fantastic views of the Rosengarten (Catinaccio) group. The change of rock types in the notches is also geologically fascinating; you often ascend from a clay-like flat section directly onto the following steep rocky step. About halfway along the route, a trail allows you to summmit the Großer Latemarturm (Torre Diamantidi, 2,842 m), which is highly rewarding. From the end of the via ferrata, at the notch where the bivouac box (Bivacco Rigatti) is located, you can hike up to the Latemarspitze in about 30 minutes.
For long stretches, the tour leads through very rough, brittle terrain with steep scree and loose rocks. Surefootedness is therefore absolutely essential, even in unsecured alpine terrain.
