Sass Rigais is, together with the nearby Gran Furchetta, the highest peak of the Odle group (Geisler in German), from which you can enjoy an incredible view of the beautiful Val di Funes below.
Access: from Bolzano, continue along the Valle Isarco towards Chiusa. Before the town, turn towards Val Gardena in the direction of Ortisei. Continue on the same road to the village of S. Cristina, where you can leave your car and take the cable car to Col Raiser or continue on foot to Firenze hut.
Itinerary: leave your car in S. Cristina and decide whether to take the Col Raiser cable car to the Col Raiser hut (2107 m) or walk along the dirt road that connects the cable car station in the valley with the Firenze hut (2037 m). Depending on whether you reach Col Raiser or the Firenze hut and whether you intend to climb the E or W ferrata, the approach route is different. From Col Raiser you can follow the little white road in the direction of the Piera Longia hut (2297 m), and then take path no. 2b in the direction of Plan de Ciautier (2263 m, a vast plateau at the foot of the Odle). This route can be used by those who wish to climb the via ferrata on the W side. Here you will find a description of the traverse from E to W and the cable car ascent to Col Raiser.
From Col Raiser follow the path immediately to the right which descends about 70 m in height to the visible Firenze hut (20 min). When you reach the hut, follow the signs for path no. 13 towards Sass Rigais: the path climbs up through beautiful meadows to Plan de Ciautier. From Plan de Ciautier continue to the right, remaining below Sass Rigais and climbing diagonally up towards the entrance to the Val Salieres valley. Go up the whole valley along a path that twists and turns along the scree until you reach the wide pass between the Gran Furchetta on the right and Sass Rigais on the left (1h).
From the fork head left towards the rocks of the base, climb up the first easy unequipped rocks (I) and then a short ridge of rocks and scree that leads to a scree ridge. This is where the via ferrata begins (1.30 h).
Descent: It is possible to descend along the same route as the ascent or, alternatively, along the north-east face, thus making a complete crossing of the mountain. From the summit, descend on the north-east slope along a steep marked path (be careful at the beginning of the season, there may be icy or snowy stretches). At the end, near the notch in the gap between Sass Rigais and Furchetta, you will find the most demanding section equipped with ropes and metal steps. Once this has been overcome, the path continues southwards down the gravel of the Val Salieres, until it meets path no. 13, which soon takes us back to Plan Ciautier and from here to Col Raiser or the Firenze hut.
Technical details: ferrata largely equipped with steel cables. There are also iron stirrups on the steep attack wall. Free climbing sections (grade I), exposed path.
Type of route: 60 % steel cable, 30 % exposed path, 10 % easy climbing.
Total ascent height difference: 925 m, 3:00-3:30 hours.
Height difference to the via ferrata start: 600 m, 2:00-2:15 hours.
Height difference via ferrata: 325 m, 1:00-1:15 hours.
