Via Ferrata Piccolo Cir (Grade B/C), Dolomites

Via Ferrata Piccolo Cir is a short, but nonetheless exciting, Grade B/C secured climbing route which leads to the summit of Piccolo Cir (Pitla Cir, Kleine Cirspitze), 2520 meters, in the Cir Group, Dolomites.

I loved this circular route, because it’s generously secured on both the ascent and descent and offers spellbinding views of the Sella Group and Passo Gardena. In order to catch the sunset along the way, I set out 3 hours before sunset in mid-September.

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Via Ferrata Piccolo Cir Map

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Essential Trail Info

Trailhead | You can access Via Ferrata Piccolo Cir from Passo Gardena (car / bus),  Dantercepies mountain station (cable car from Selva), or Frara mountain station (cable car from Colfosco). 

Hiking Season | June – October, when the route is snow-free. See Best Time to Visit the Dolomites.

Difficulty | According to the information board at the start of the via ferrata, Piccolo Cir is graded B/C, indicating an intermediate level of difficulty. However, the vast majority of the route is either “A” or “B.” 

The route features sustained vertical climbing and airy, exposed sections all of which are robustly secured. There are no unprotected scrambling passages; almost the entire ascent and descent is secured by fixed cables. Although some of the vertical sections felt extreme, I felt very secure throughout, thanks to the excellent climbing aids and natural footholds in the rock. Compared with the routes below, several of which feature a great deal of unsecured exposure, Piccolo Cir felt far easier for me:

• Lichtenfelsersteig: Vallon to Piz Boè – Grade A/B
• Via Ferrata Sas dla Crusc – Grade A/B
• Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster  – Grade B/C
• Via Ferrata Sass Rigais – Grade B/C

Trail Variations | You can combine this short via ferrata with Gran Cir (Grade A), Sass da Ciampac, or even the Colfosco High Trail. 

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. 

Special Equipment | It’s imperative to wear a full via ferrata kit for this secured climb. 

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Via Ferrata Piccolo Cir Description 

Approach: Passo Gardena – Jimmy Hütte – Dantercepies Mountain Station – Via Ferrata Piccolo Cir Starting Point (50 minutes)

From Passo Gardena, follow signs to Jimmy Hütte (20 minutes). The trail merges with the hut access road, winding steadily toward the imposing, dramatic peaks of the Cir Group. Hike around Jimmy Hütte to reach a higher path. At the junction, turn left on Trail 12A in the direction of Dantercepies. 

The mostly level path runs beneath the craggy Cir Towers. Ignore the turn-off to Gran Cir. When the track splits, veer right on the upper trail that rises above the Dantercepies cable car mountain station. After passing the mountain station, turn right at the sign for Piccolo Cir and follow the steep, rocky path uphill.

In about 10 minutes, you’ll arrive at the via ferrata starting point, marked by an info board. I put on my kit here. 

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Ascent: Via Ferrata Piccolo Cir – Piccolo Cir Summit  (1 hour)

With the exception of a few short sections, the entire route is continuously secured with fixed cables. Much of the climb involves sustained vertical climbing, but fortunately, none of the steps felt excessively difficult or required an awkwardly long reach. 

At the halfway point, there is an opportunity to exit the route. Ignore the escape route, bear left to “Cima / Gipfel / Top,” and then climb up the short ladder. 

When you reach the junction beneath the summit, you’ll see how the route unfolds. One steep line of cables leads to the summit, while another parallel route brings you back to this same point, where you’ll continue your descent.

Naturally, Sella upstages all peaks. But, the summit also affords views of Sassolungo, Col dala Pieres, Sass Rigais, and Piz Duleda.

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Descent: Piccolo Cir Summit – Jimmy Hütte – Passo Gardena (1:15 hours)

The cables continue back down to the junction. The descent is steep and, at least for me, felt considerably harder than the ascent.

From there, the via ferrata continues down to a wind gap before hugging the left wall of a scree-filled gully. Fortunately, most of the descent is secured. The scenery is breathtaking: the walls of the gully frame the Sella Massif, and with every step, more of the massif comes into view.

The final section through the gully is unsecured and marked with red waymarks. After crossing to the right side, the trail soon splits. The right-hand path leads back toward the start of the via ferrata and down to the Dantercepies mountain station, while the left-hand path continues down through the scree before branching toward Jimmy Hütte.

Take the left path and follow it down to join Trail 12A back to Jimmy Hütte, where you can celebrate your summit achievement with a delicious, and admittedly pricey, meal.

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Where to Stay near Piccolo Cir

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Selva

Selva offers a wide variety of accommodations from charming guesthouses to 5-star wellness hotels. Check out these B&Bs: Garni Sunela B&B, Garni Morene, and Garni Hotel Mezdi.

The best hotels in Selva are Linder Cycling Hotel, 4-star Hotel Freina, 4-star Hotel Continental Dolomites, and 5-star Hotel Tyrol.

For an adults-only environment, check out Alpstay – Hotel Acadia.

Learn more: Best Val Gardena Hotels 

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Colfosco

Colfosco is the starting point of numerous hikes including the Pisciadu Waterfall Trail, Colfosco High Trail, Edelweiss Valley to Puez-Odle Plateau, and of course Sassongher.

I recommend Ciasa Altonn (budget-friendly apartments), Residence Costa Burjada (budget-friendly apartments), Crëp Sella (3-star B&B), Hotel Jägerhof (3-star hotel and restaurant), Hotel Tabladel (3-star hotel with half board), and Mountain Hotel Mezdi (4-star hotel).

Learn More: Where to Stay in Alta Badia

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Dolomites Hiking Guides

Dolomites Hiking Trails:

• Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites
• Easy Walks in the Dolomites
• Val Gardena Hikes
• Cortina d’Ampezzo Hikes
• Sexten Dolomites Hikes

Dolomites Travel:

• Dolomites Travel Guide
• Places to Visit in the Dolomites
• Things to Do in the Dolomites
• How to Get to the Dolomites
• How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car

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