Giro del Sorapiss

The Sorapiss Circuit, Dolomites, August 2020. A long day going right around the massif on cable, from Passo Tre Croci and back.

Giro del Sorapiss, high point 2670 m / Ferrata Vandelli - Sentiero Minazio - Ferrata Berti

C / 26.5 km / 1950 m ascent / 12-16 h / dolomite limestone

The loop strings together three ferratas at the foot of the Sorapiss walls: Vandelli above the lake, then the long traverse of the Sentiero Minazio, then Berti on the far side. Vandelli is the most continuous cabled part; Minazio is graded easier but goes on for hours across exposed ledges and scree, and that is where the day is actually won or lost.

Sources put the full circuit at roughly 26.5 km with about 1950 m of ascent, high point 2670 m at the Forcella del Bivacco Slataper, and 12-16 hours for a competent party — so most people split it at the Vandelli hut or a bivouac. Typical Dolomite rock: solid where it matters, loose on the ledges.

Logistics

Approach

From Passo Tre Croci (1805 m), the usual trail to Lago di Sorapiss and Rifugio Vandelli, about 5.5 km and 1.5-2 hours.