The Sass Rigais traverse (Geislerspitzen)
The traverse of the main peak of the Geislerspitzen, the Sass Rigais, is a demanding but extremely rewarding undertaking in the dreamlike scenery of the Dolomites combined with the adventure of a not too difficult via ferrata over a real three-thousand-metre peak.
difficult
Distance 15.8 km
The Sass Rigais is the main peak of the Geisler Group. It impressively separates the Villnößtal valley in the north from the Grödner valley in the south. The neighbouring peaks of the Puez Group, the Rasciesa and the Sassolungo are always impressively in view. The traverse of the three-thousand-metre peak - the Sass Rigais is, after all, a proud 3025 m high - from the Wasserrinnental to the Mittagsscharte, i.e. from east to west, is an alpine undertaking. However, the panorama during the entire tour is overwhelming. First the Langkofel appears at our back, then the Geisler with Fermeda, Sass Rigais and Furchetta rise in front of us. To the right is the mighty Montischella. The panorama from the summit surpasses all previous impressions. The Marmolada and the mighty Sella massif are within reach. The view of the Villnöß valley to the north and the Raschötz is fantastic. The via ferrata is initially moderately difficult if you cross the Sass Rigais from the east (i.e. from the Wasserrinnental). A vertical and somewhat exposed passage awaits you right at the beginning, but it is well secured. Absolute surefootedness and a head for heights are a prerequisite for the entire undertaking. On both the east and west sides, there are some passages in easy climbing terrain (I, UIAA). There is also a risk of falling rocks in some places, so it is highly recommended to bring a helmet. Orientation is easy in good visibility, in poor visibility the ascent into the Wasserrinnental can be a little more challenging to find. The Regensburger Hütte is an excellent place to stop and spend the night along the way. If you want, you can shorten the ascent with the Col Raiser cable car. It is a good idea to spend at least an entire weekend at the Regensburgerhütte. The touring possibilities are almost inexhaustible and worth the longest journey.
Difficulty
B/C
difficult
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Sass Rigais, 2,977 m
Lowest point
Car park in S. Cristina, 1,542 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
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Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cardinal direction
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The via ferrata is suitable for beginners, sure-footedness and a head for heights are a prerequisite. It is recommended to check the current weather forecast for the destination region.Start
Cable car valley station in S. Cristina (1,541 m)
Coordinates:
DD
46.564585, 11.736317
DMS
46°33'52.5"N 11°44'10.7"E
UTM
32T 709709 5160417
w3w
///escapes.interacts.repute
Turn-by-turn directions
Access:
From the car park of the Col Raiser cable car, we turn north and climb along a mountain stream on the service road in the direction of the Regensburger Hütte. A few arbors provide shade and gentians line our path. At a fork in the service road, we turn right, and a little later a marked path branches off to the left towards the Regensburger Hut.
From the Regensburger Hut, a hiking trail leads eastwards and a little later north-eastwards through the high valley "Val Mont dal Ega" between the Geisler peaks and Montischella. At the foot of the Sass Rigais, we turn a little to the east in order to climb steeply to the left into the water channel valley to the col of the same name.
Route:
From the col, we first climb a 10 m high steep ascent (A/B) via some stepping pins and stirrups. The wire rope now leads us considerably less steeply uphill and partly along the ridge to the summit of the Sass Rigais at 3025 m.
For the traverse, we take the actual normal route downhill on the east side (A). Some passages are without wire rope. Here we also pay special attention to loose stones and scree so as not to endanger other climbers. Concentrated, we descend to the Mittagsscharte.
Descent:
From the Mittagsscharte we descend again into the fantastically beautiful high valley with alpine meadows to return on the marked path to the Regensburger Hütte. From here we return to the starting point on our ascent route.
From the car park of the Col Raiser cable car, we turn north and climb along a mountain stream on the service road in the direction of the Regensburger Hütte. A few arbors provide shade and gentians line our path. At a fork in the service road, we turn right, and a little later a marked path branches off to the left towards the Regensburger Hut.
From the Regensburger Hut, a hiking trail leads eastwards and a little later north-eastwards through the high valley "Val Mont dal Ega" between the Geisler peaks and Montischella. At the foot of the Sass Rigais, we turn a little to the east in order to climb steeply to the left into the water channel valley to the col of the same name.
Route:
From the col, we first climb a 10 m high steep ascent (A/B) via some stepping pins and stirrups. The wire rope now leads us considerably less steeply uphill and partly along the ridge to the summit of the Sass Rigais at 3025 m.
For the traverse, we take the actual normal route downhill on the east side (A). Some passages are without wire rope. Here we also pay special attention to loose stones and scree so as not to endanger other climbers. Concentrated, we descend to the Mittagsscharte.
Descent:
From the Mittagsscharte we descend again into the fantastically beautiful high valley with alpine meadows to return on the marked path to the Regensburger Hütte. From here we return to the starting point on our ascent route.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
By train to Klausen, continue by busGetting there
Italy: Brenner motorway A22 to Klausen, continue on the SS242 into the Val Gardena valley to S. Cristina.Parking
At the valley station of the Col Raiser cable car in S. CristinaCoordinates
DD
46.564585, 11.736317
DMS
46°33'52.5"N 11°44'10.7"E
UTM
32T 709709 5160417
w3w
///escapes.interacts.repute
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Equipment
Via ferrata equipment with rockfall helmet and via ferrata gloves.Localization
Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language
Reviews
Difficulty
B/C
difficult
Distance
15.8 km
Duration
9:30 h
Ascent
1,601 m
Descent
1,601 m
Highest point
2,977 m
Lowest point
1,542 m
Statistics
Maps and trails
- 6 Waypoints
- 6 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
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