Ferrata La Rota - Caprioli: vertical adventure

Mid-June, the weather has been stable for several days and in San Vito di Cadore it hasn't rained for practically a week. It's the perfect time to tackle the new Caprioli via ferrata, or for completeness La Rota - Caprioli!
Together with my friend Enrico we wake up very early and at 9 we reach the Baita Sun Bar, but not before enjoying an excellent coffee at the beautiful and unexpected hotel Il Cardo, nearby.
The day is already scorching, the sun is starting to melt us even as we prepare ourselves for departure. We are not the only ones to have made the same reasoning: in fact, a large group of other hikers is gathering to reach this new via ferrata.
We leave the car parked and head left, gaining vegetation that in vain manages to protect us from the heat. We are on CAI track 228, the same path that leads to the Scotter Palatini refuge and that runs along the winter ski slopes of San Vito. The track is a dirt road, nice and wide. We cross the Ru Seco and continue to proceed in the Sora Costa forest.
We reach a crossroads where there are signs for the San Marco refuge, with the arrow pointing right. On the left, however, the sign "Rota" indicates our path to follow towards the via ferrata.
From here the path becomes very steep, with a steep climb that gives no respite until reaching a more open space, where there is an exceptional view of the Pelmo and the Tofane on one side, and of the Re Antelao on the other. Today the day is so beautiful that these peaks seem to be drawn on a blue colored cardboard.
Here you can see the signs that indicate the correct path for the via ferrata: a nice logo that depicts the head of a roe deer. We soon reach the first rocks and the sign that identifies the La Rota - Caprioli via ferrata. We rest for a few minutes, preparing for the adventure: harness, via ferrata kit, gloves, helmet... and we are ready to go!
The La Rota - Caprioli via ferrata, as indicated by the Cortina d'Ampezzo mountain guide Enrico Maioni in his blog, takes its name from the Caprioli San Vito Sports Association, which has promoted sports activities, for young people and beyond, since the post-war period. Born from the initiative of a group of young people from San Vito, the association has grown with the aim of contributing to the development of the entire community. Initially, the main activities were skiing and rock climbing, and then gradually expanded to all mountain sports.
Fully prepared, we have to follow a thin path that makes us lose a bit of altitude to the left, and then go back up to where the via ferrata actually starts, at an altitude of 1,470 meters.
We let a large group of hikers go ahead of us, so as not to be anxious about having people on our heels. We hook the two carabiners to the first bolt... and off we go!
At first glance, the initial part seems quite challenging, not so much for the verticality, but for the unstable, crumbly rock, which forces us to constantly cling to the metal cable to avoid dropping rocks on the people behind us. And that's exactly what happens to us: the column that precedes us sees several inexperienced people who, out of fear, hang and uproot large pieces of rock that inevitably brush us, and others who tap on our helmets. I too, from a simple hold, find myself with a nice piece of rock in my hand and I stick it back into the ground to prevent it from falling on Enrico's head, below me. The route develops in a north, north-west direction, going around rocky ledges that leave us suspended in the void for a few meters before returning and proceeding on more supported slabs. The footholds are almost always clearly visible, but even these - given that the via ferrata is really recent - retain unstable gravel that can inevitably detach.

• Mountain

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  Monte Antelao

• Address

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  San Vito di Cadore, Veneto

• Altitude

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  1828.00 m

• Refuges

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  Rifugio San Marco

• Information

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  Rifugio San Marco

We continue to climb, holding on to the metal cable, which guarantees our stability and safety. We alternate between points where we have to pull ourselves up vertically and others that are almost horizontal, until we reach an embankment, a natural balcony that allows us to catch our breath and enjoy a breathtaking view. In front of us, the verticality of the rock that awaits us, but behind us the Cadore valley with San Vito di Cadore in all its splendor and the majestic Pelmo standing guard. The Caregon del Padre Eterno stands alone like a throne awaiting the Creator in an idyllic landscape and a weather that enhances its spectacular nature even more. Continuing with our gaze to the right, we notice the Becco di Mezzodì with the Croda da Lago and, further away, the legendary Tofana di Rozes. On the opposite side of San Vito, on the left, the legendary Mount Antelao stands out with its snow-capped pyramidal slopes. A view that helps us regain our strength for the second part of the via ferrata.
This first part of the via ferrata could prove treacherous with slippery terrain. We continue on a section that descends slightly and makes us lose a bit of altitude, wedging ourselves into a rocky ravine that runs alongside a scree slope. In a short while we go back up, and from here the style of the via ferrata changes: smoother rocks are the basis of this section. There are no more grassy clods but only bare rock, which alternates with brackets and pegs that help to overcome the most critical points. Although this part of the route is indicated as the most difficult, I personally found it at the same level as the initial part. Of course, there are a couple of vertical points where you need to pull yourself up and have good arm strength to progress, but the safety of the supports is considerably greater than what we found at the beginning. And today the day is perfect and without humidity!
An aerial section develops horizontally, with several brackets to ensure the correct support of the feet. This heralds a new vertical section (the most technical) that leads to the final chimney. Here it is mandatory to take a look behind you to enjoy the view, immensely enhanced by the point where we are, surrounded by the Dolomite rocks that we are passing.
We soon emerge onto a beautiful green panoramic terrace, the Pra de Mason, at an altitude of 1750 meters. The via ferrata ends right here: the view is now to be enjoyed without hesitation and without thoughts of new difficulties. We free ourselves from the harnesses and the tools that have allowed us to do this via ferrata safely and we head east, on CAI trail 225, towards the San Marco refuge.
After having overcome a forced detour that forces us to lose a bit of altitude, to then go back up thus avoiding a recently collapsed section, in less than half an hour we reach the refuge. The seasonal opening is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, but the very kind managers allow us to buy a couple of Coca-Colas that refresh our thirst.
We leave the refuge and take path 228 towards the Scotter refuge. Here a Fantozzi-style cloud refreshes us for a few minutes (too little to combat today's heat!). In about an hour we return to the car at the Baita Sun Bar, concluding the circular tour.
An exceptional adventure, a via ferrata that I recommend to everyone. The La Rota - Caprioli via ferrata is labeled as medium difficulty, but it should absolutely not be underestimated: the possibility of finding wet ground could increase its classification. The presence of vertical sections on smooth rock requires a non-trivial physical preparation. I conclude by saying that the new Caprioli via ferrata in San Vito di Cadore presents itself as an unmissable opportunity for well-trained mountain enthusiasts. It combines technical passages and spectacular panoramic views in a route that promises strong emotions and breathtaking views. Located in the heart of the Dolomites, it represents a great addition for those looking for authentic and engaging experiences at high altitude!