Via Ferrata Averau is a short steep climb to a fairly recognizable peak in the region. It’s visible from all of the Cinque Torri region as well as easily identifiable from Mount Lagazuoi. The cable section was among the most vertical of all of the via ferrata we did on our trip and with very little added help. This is one via ferrata that although short, I was extra appreciative of all my via ferrata gear and experience.
Trail/ Via Ferrata Description
Trailhead
The trail as described here starts from Rifugio Averau. Getting to rifugio Averau is a whole other matter. I recommend doing the Via Ferrata to Ra Gusela and Nuvolau since you’re already hiking with via ferrata gear. You can read more about that experience here. OR You can hike in from the Cinque Torri hut, or park at the Fedare refuge and take the Fedare cable car directly to the Averau hut. Check cable car times and prices here. I also recommend staying in the hut overnight as sunrise or sunset on the peak is magical.
Trail Details
Distance: 1.5 miles RT from the Averau hut
Elevation change: 790 feet
1 cable section
Time: 1- 2 hours
The trail can really be broken down into three 15–20-minute sections.
The approach
There are 2 trails that are both steep and braided. The footing is very loose and neither seemed to be much better than the other. If you’re not a fan of climbing loose shale… this isn’t the trail for you. If you take the first left branch, the trail will go between a tower on the main peak and just after that the cables will start.
The cables
The cables take only 10-15 minutes if you’re a small group. While short, this was one of the most technical “climbs” I felt we did on our entire trip. The wall is a vertical climb (not a scramble) and there’s not a lot of “good” holds for your feet and hands. At one small section there is a fork in the cable. If you’re climbing during a busier time, the left fork is used more for descents as it is the only place the climb is assisted with ladder like holds. Take the right fork on your way up, and the left fork down.
The final summit scramble
After the cables, turn left and you’ll see a braided trail climbing to the summit cross. There’s some cairns to help mark the easiest way. For the most part, there wasn’t too much scrambling although the footing is always loose. Watch your step!
My experience:
Braden decided to sit this via ferrata out so I went as a sunrise mission while he slept in so he wouldn’t be waiting around for me. I found the trail “mostly” easy to follow though I did get confused by a side trail in a gully that I climbed up for about 5 minutes before thinking it probably wasn’t the way. If you can, having alltrails open is definitely helpful. It doesn’t have the chain section but it DOES have the rest of the trail outlined.
Even with the slight deter, I made it to the start of the chains in about 25 min. The climb up was more vertical than I expected and it was a little intimidating going solo. 10 minutes later though I was done and moving on. From the top of the chains, it only took me another 10 minutes to the summit cross which I had all to myself. The sunrise was astounding and one of the best of our trip in terms of visibility and colors. I hung out for about 30 minutes at the top and then head down which only took me 35 minutes from top to the hut.
*Climbing back down the vertical sections with no one to spot me WAS a little scary. There is one section that offers ladder rungs as a work around, so I took that route on the way down. If you were doing this during busier times, that would be the proper way down and you’d want to take the other cable up.
I didn’t see a single person on my entire climb and it was glorious! I definitely recommend going for sunrise. Then when you finish, you can return to your hut for a big hot breakfast! Scroll on for a few more sunrise photos.
And that’s it! What do you think? Was this via ferrata worth the early morning- solo mission or what!