Via Ferrata Gran Cir, Dolomites

Gran Cir (2592 meters) is a prominent peak in the Cir Group (Pizes de Cir in Ladin, Gruppo del Cir in Italian, Cirspitzen in German) within Puez-Odle Nature Park in the Dolomites.

This popular hiking destination is easily accessible from Passo Gardena/Grödner Joch, the mountain pass connecting Val Badia with Val Gardena. From the mountain pass, it takes only 1:30 hours to reach the summit of Gran Cir. 

Serving up deliriously majestic views of the Sella Group, Langkofel Group, and Val de Chedul, Gran Cir is widely regarded as one of the region’s finest spots for sunrise and sunset.

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Gran Cir Hiking Map

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Essential Trail Info

Trailhead | You can approach Gran Cir from Passo Gardena (accessible by bus and car), the Frara gondola mountain station (from Val Badia), or the Dantercepies cable car mountain station (from Val Gardena).

Cable Car Access | These cableways usually operate from mid-June until early October.

• If you’re based in Val Gardena, ride the Dantercepies cable car from Selva to the top station.
• If you’re based in Val Badia, ride the Plans – Frara gondolas to reach Jimmy Hütte.

Parking at Val Gardena | There are several paid car parks at Passo Gardena. I recommend arriving early, or late in the day.

Transit | Take Bus 473 to Passo Gardena. Use the Südtirolmobil website to plan your trip.

Hiking Season | Mid/late June until mid/late October, depending on snow conditions. If you’re visiting early or late in the summer season, I would ask the tourist office in Colfosco about current trail conditions.  The best months to watch the sunrise on Gran Cir are September and October, when skies are generally clear and the sun rises relatively late (around 7 am). Related: Best Time to Visit the Dolomites.

Best Time of Day | This is a wonderful peak for watching the sunrise and sunset. We hiked up for sunrise, and it was a truly magical experience. We’ve heard that the peak can get quite crowded, but in our experience, we only shared the summit with two local trail runners, who descended before the sun even made an appearance. For anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable hiking in the dark with a headlamp, we recommend starting the hike shortly after sunrise. The light will still be beautiful, and you’ll likely have the trail largely to yourself. If you hike up for sunrise, pack:

• Headlamp: Black Diamond Equipment Spot 350 Headlamp
• Extra Shirt to change into on the summit. You don’t want to be sitting/standing in your sweat as your body cools off atop a windy summit. If you wear a bra, we’d also recommend changing it. 
• Puffer Jacket
• Water & Snacks

Difficulty | Gran Cir is technically a Sentiero Attrezzato Grade A, an easy secured trail. Nonetheless, it’s a difficult hike due to the crumb

Trail Variations | Some via ferrata hikers combine the Ferrata del Piccolo Cir (Grade B / via ferrata kit nequired) with the Sentiero Attrezzato Gran Cir. After hiking Gran Cir, you can also return to Jimmy Hütte and extend your hike to the summit of Sass da Ciampac.

Where to Eat | Jimmy Hütte

Responsible Hiking | This trail is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site Puez-Odle Nature Park, a protected nature park. Wild camping, flying drones, picking flowers, and lighting fires is forbidden. 

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Via Ferrata Gran Cir Difficulty

Gran Cir is categorized as a sentiero attrezzato, or an easy Grade A via ferrata (fixed cable route). We’d describe it as a moderately difficult hike with two secured passages and light scrambling. These fixed cables facilitate your safe ascent and later descent. 

The actual “via ferrata” part of the hike is very short.

Some of the stones along the fixed route are very polished, and thus slippery, due to so much foot traffic. So, holding onto the cables ensures that you don’t slip. 

In my opinion, what makes the hike difficult is the terrain more so than the via ferrata section. If you’re confident hiking in typical limestone/dolomite terrain, then this hike won’t pose too much difficulty. If you’re not so familiar with uneven, loose rocky terrain, it’ll be more difficult. 

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Gran Cir Special Equipment

The most important thing for this hike is proper hiking boots or approach shoes. Don’t wear sneakers!!!

I also recommend wearing climbing gloves like these Black Diamond Crag Half-Finger Gloves. They help you grasp the cables more easily (especially if your hands are sweating). They also protect your palms, when you’re scrambling and grabbing rocks. 

Wear Cat 3-4 Sunglasses like Julbo Fury Sunglasses. I can’t stress this enough: Dolomite rock reflects light like snow. Investing in high-quality sunglasses is essential when hiking in the Dolomites as well as any other limestone range. 

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Do You Need a Full Via Ferrata Kit?

A full via ferrata kit includes a climbing helmet, climbing harness, and a via ferrata lanyard. Do you need to bring the full kit? It really depends on your experience and level of comfort. 

I encourage everyone to wear a climbing helmet at the very least. Given the popularity of this trail, you’re better protected from falling rocks, if you wear a helmet. 

Women’s Climbing Helmet: Black diamond women’s climbing helmet

Men’s Climbing Helmet: Black diamond men’s climbing helmet

We both wore a climbing helmet, climbing gloves, and of course sturdy boots. Having hiked dozens of secured passages across the Alps, we felt confident hiking without the harness and lanyard. 

In no way are we endorsing not wearing the full via ferrata kit. Everyone needs to decide what’s best for them, depending on their level of experience.

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Gran Cir Trail Description

Passo Gardena to Rifugio Jimmy (15 minutes)

First, head to Jimmyhütte, a mountain hut nestled at the base of the Cir peaks. 

If you parked at the gated parking lot (Sella-side), cross the street cautiously, and follow trail 2 (where the flower/wildlife info boards are) up to the Jimmy mountain hut. This is the clearest path. 

However, if you parked at the other parking lots (closer to the chapel), head towards Hotel Cir first. And, then follow the wide track to Jimmy hut.

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Rifugio Jimmy to Gran Cir Trail Intersection (10 – 15 minutes)

When you reach Rifugio Jimmy, there will be a large terrace on your left and a small children’s playground on your right. Follow the narrow path leading uphill, past the playground and bird sculpture, to the trail 12A/2 intersection. Turn left onto the wide gravel track (12A). 

You’ll walk along the mostly level path for about 15 minutes, in the direction of the Dantercepies cableway station. 

Keep your eyes peeled for a Gran Cir trail sign on your right side.

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Gran Cir Ascent (1 hour)

The ascent to Gran Cir is waymarked with painted red dots. Following the red waymarks, ascend a series of switchbacks up the gully.

The terrain is characterized by loose rocks and scree. After about 20 minutes of ascending, you’ll come to the base of the first fixed cable passage. 

Grasp the cable and ascend along the secured route (7 minutes max). Some of the rocks are semi-polished and slippery due to the high-volume foot traffic over time. After the fixed cable route ends, you’ll continue ascending. Some scrambling might be needed. 

You’ll hike to the base of another secured passage. Once you reach the top of this cable route, you’re almost at the top. 

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Gran Cir Summit

Gran Cir is marked with a giant cross, like all notable peaks in the Alps. 

At the summit, the Sella Group steals the show. However, the view of the Chedul mountains flanking Chedul valley is also fantastic. You’ll also see Sassolungo/Langkofel, the razor-sharp Odle/Geisler Peaks, the Stevia Alp and the oval-shaped Col dala Pieres, Piz Duleda and the Puez Peaks, Sciliar/Schlern, and the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm Plateau. 

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Gran Cir to Passo Gardena (1 hour)

Enjoy the view and descend safely the same way you came up.

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Where to Stay for the Gran Cir Hike

Passo Gardena 

In addition to Gran Cir, Passo Gardena is the starting point for many interesting hikes including: Cima Pisciadù and Sass da Ciampac and the Crespëina High Plateau.

Midrange | Hotel Cir is situated directly at Passo Gardena. If you’re eager to hike early (before the crowds descend), or photograph sunrise and sunset, this is the best place to stay. Rooms are simple, but clean. The hotel offers a range of rooms including single, dormitory, and double rooms. Breakfast and dinner are available. 

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Colfosco in Alta Badia

Colfosco (Calfosch in Ladin) is the highest village in Alta Badia, situated at an elevation of 1645 meters, between Corvara and Passo Gardena. It lies at the foot of the Sella Group and Sassongher and enjoys mesmerizing views of the Sella Group.

Budget-Midrange | Pension Mirandola is a family-run guesthouse with spotless rooms and an on-site restaurant (half board available). Stay here for the warm hospitality, affordability, and location. 

Midrange | Crëp Sella is a sparkling clean B&B with spacious and comfortable rooms. 

Luxury | Hotel Kolfuschgerhof excels on every level, from its excellent wellness facilities and superb Dolomites views to its fine dining, featuring local and Italian cuisine. The hotel’s design is a winning combination of Tyrolean chalet-style and alpine-modern. Expect extraordinary service and the best spa views of your life.

Luxury Apartments | We stayed at the stylish Aparthotel Lüch de Costa, a historical farmstead in Colfosco which was transformed into several high-end apartments in 2017. This unique accommodation is perfect for anyone who wants the independence of an apartment but the convenience and finer features of a hotel. Here’s what we loved:

Outstanding View. Each apartment has a view of the Sella Group. From our apartment, we could see the following Sella peaks: Dent de Mezdi, Mittagskofel (Cima di Mezzodi)l, Piz Pisciadu, Torre Colfosco, Sas da Lech, Brunecker Turm (Torre Bruneck), and Sas dla Luesa. 

Apartment Kitchen. The kitchen is outfitted with high-end Miele appliances, including an oven, stove, dishwasher, and refrigerator. With ample granite countertop space and every cooking utensil you could possibly need, this is an apartment you’ll actually want to cook in. If you’ve visiting the Dolomites in October, when many restaurants are closed, it’s ideal (Grab groceries in the Gourmet Spar in Corvara). Other Kitchen tools: microwave, cheese grater, citrus press, hot water cooker, electric Italian coffee maker (ask for directions), etc.. 

Daily Apartment Cleaning. Apartments are tidied up each day (bathroom/bedroom/living room), excluding the kitchen. However, the kitchen garbage is removed daily. 

Modern saunas, indoor pool, and outdoor whirlpool. Y’all know we love saunas. The steam sauna, bio hay sauna, and finnish sauna are heavenly.

Book your Stay at Lüch de Costa.

Look for accommodation in Colfosco. 

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Selva in Val Gardena

Selva di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein in German), the highest village in Val Gardena (1563 m), is blessed with a dramatic setting at the base of the Sella massif. Selva is also the closest town in Val Gardena to both Passo Gardena and Passo Sella, the starting point of the Sassolungo Circuit Trail and the Oskar Schuster Via Ferrata (Grade B/C).

From Selva, I recommend hiking up to Steviola Plateau and completing the Vallunga Valley and Val de Chedul circuit trail. Ride the Col Raiser gondola to start the Piz Duleda and Col dala Pieres summit hikes.

Budget | Hotel Garni Morene is a clean and comfortable family-run guesthouse, set in an idyllic location outside the town center of Selva. Stay here for the unbeatable price, mountain views, and hospitality. Breakfast included.

Midrange | Garni Hotel Bel Vert is a B&B in Selva, located on the Biancavieve Slope, outside the town center. Rooms are beautiful and spacious. There’s even a small spa. 3 nights minimum stay.

Midrange-Luxury | Hotel Freina is a welcoming family-run hotel in Selva with an excellent on-site restaurant (serving vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options), wonderful spa, and free garage parking. 

Luxury | Hotel Tyrol is a traditional alpine hotel centrally located in Selva. The hotel’s restaurant offers creative interpretations of Ladin tradition with a Tuscan twist. Stay here for the cozy ambience, the wellness area (saunas, indoor and outdoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpool, salt cave with chromotherapy), and comfortable rooms. Outdoor parking is free and garage parking is an extra charge. 

Luxury | Hotel Sun Valley is a 4-star hotel with a feel-good atmosphere, nice rooms, friendly management and staff, and a great restaurant (half board available). The spa comprises an indoor pool, whirlpool, Tyrolean parlor sauna, Brechel bath with fresh pine branches, and a steam bath, and relaxation areas. 

Luxury | Linder Cycling Hotel stands out with its bold architecture, stylish urban accents, and laid-back atmosphere. Beyond the captivating design, Linder Cycling Hotel boasts excellent facilities, including a rooftop terrace, indoor pool, bar, and the à la carte Luis Eatery restaurant

Find an accommodation in Selva di Val Gardena.

Related: Best Hotels in Alta Badia

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Dolomites Hiking Guides

Sentiero Attrezzato (Secured Hiking Trails):

• Piz Duleda Peak Hike (Val Gardena)
• Sentiero Bonacossa North Trail (Misurina)
• Lichtenfelsersteig: Vallon to Piz Boè (Alta Badia)
• Sassongher Peak Hike (Alta Badia)

Via Ferrata Climbs:

• Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster (Passo Sella)
• Via Ferrata Sass Rigais (Val Gardena)
• Via Ferrata Sas dla Crusc (Alta Badia)

Dolomites Hikes:

• Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites
• Easy Walks in the Dolomites

Travel Itineraries:

• Val Gardena Itinerary

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