Croce di Fai - C
Elevation: 300 m / Lenght: 320 m
Approach: 30 min / Duration: 1,5 hr
Rating: 4/5
If you are travelling through Italy from Bolzano towards Trento and want to stop at a nice via ferrata for half a day, I recommend Crode di Fai. You can park for free opposite the Tamoil petrol station. From there, you can already see the rock face, and you will probably also notice a sign warning about bears in the area. That surprised us a little, but risk is gain.
It takes about half an hour to reach the via ferrata, walking uphill through the forest. It was quite hot that day, and the whole group got properly warmed up before the first clip.
For about half of the via ferrata, I felt like I was just climbing a ladder. I have probably never seen so many metal rungs on a rock face. Surprisingly, though, it did not bother me at all. The climbing is easy going, but at the same time quite fun. The via ferrata is also pleasantly exposed, and you get beautiful views of the surrounding area.
It is divided into two sections. After climbing two rocky towers, with a short ridge between them, you have to walk along a short section that takes you to a very unusual place. Before starting the next rock wall, you have to go around a scree gully where hundreds of small stones are constantly falling and sliding down. It is like watching a stream made of rocks. I had never seen anything like it before, especially with stones moving down with such intensity.
This dangerous section can be bypassed relatively easily, so you do not have to worry. After that, you join the cable again and face the final, fairly vertical wall.
Just before the end, the main attraction is waiting for you. A vertical, slightly swinging ladder. Here, you will definitely feel the exposure and the air beneath you, and for beginners it can be quite an "interesting" experience. Still, it is only a B rated via ferrata, so it is nothing particularly difficult.
At the top, there are beautiful views again, and then you follow a pleasant forest path back down. I think you can be back at the car in about an hour. Definitely recommended.