Punta Fiames (2,240 m a.s.l.) is a peak in the Dolomites, located a few kilometers north of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The classic Strobel via ferrata leads to the summit, with difficulties reaching grade C, and was built as early as 1964. The route was guided along the easiest line through the exposed western face of Punta Fiames. During the tourist season, Strobel is among the most popular ferratas in the Cortina region. I invite you to a report from the crossing of this fantastic route!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Approach to the ferrata from camping Olympia
- Strobel Via Ferrata [C]
- Punta Fiames Summit (2,240 m)
- Punta della Croce (2,297 m)
- Descent via the stone trail
- Tour map
Approach to the ferrata from camping Olympia
We begin today’s excursion shortly before 7:00 AM, leaving directly from our accommodation base – International Camping Olympia (approx. 1,300 m a.s.l.). We observed the western face of Punta Fiames yesterday, wondering how it was possible that a relatively accessible ferrata was led across such a vertically looking surface. At the same time, we are glad to be in such a good location, providing direct proximity to interesting hiking trails. Finding this place was a matter of luck—at campsites in the Dolomites, a reservation system usually doesn’t apply, but rather the principle of “first come, first served.” You arrive, there’s a piece of ground for you – you stay. No? You pack into the car and look for another option. It sounds quite nice, but I must tell you from experience that there are so many tourists in the Dolomites in summer that spontaneously finding a free spot at a campsite is neither easy nor pleasant.
Leaving the campsite, we cross the bridge over the Boite River and then turn left. For several meters, we follow the main asphalt road, and a moment later we turn right onto a wide forest path. A few minutes and another left turn, followed by a 400-meter flat traverse. Then, we use one of the forest shortcuts, reaching the wide pedestrian-bicycle trail No. 208. We turn left and then make another 400-meter traverse. The end of the flat section is announced only by a sign informing us that we have reached Pisandre (1,355 m a.s.l.). At this point, we turn right, starting the actual approach to the beginning of the Strobel ferrata.
Just three minutes are enough to pass the line of compact coniferous forest. The landscape is now determined by grasses and clumps of mountain pines. Behind us, a panorama opens over the campsite and sports complex in the Boite River valley and the monumental Tofana massif. Almost from the beginning, the path goes steeply up, effectively shaking us out of our morning half-sleep—over the next 600 meters of distance, we gain over 300 meters of elevation difference. Along with the acquired height, the grasses give way to extensive scree fields, and the trail becomes increasingly loose. But what would hiking in the Alps be without these stony, laborious approaches?
Strobel Via Ferrata [C]
At 8:00 AM, we arrive at the iron plaque informing us of the beginning of the Strobel ferrata. The iron road is named after the Italian guide and climber, Michielli Albino Strobel, who died in the mountains in 1964. The most difficult fragment of the ferrata is rated C, but its predominant part is B/C, and even easier sections (exact topo can be found here). Fragments protected with a safety cable are mixed here with longer trekking stages (approaches on a stony path).
We reach the first fragments protected with iron cable nearly half an hour after passing the information plaque. Although the beginning is very simple, real difficulties quickly appear on our way—an interesting crack rated B/C. After forcing this fragment, a section of ordinary, unprotected approach follows. However, the moment of respite does not last long—a few minutes later we grip the rock again, overcoming as many as three elements rated B/C in a row. We finish the first stage of the ferrata after an hour of climbing, exiting onto a fantastic viewing terrace. The place offers an incredibly captivating panorama of Cortina d’Ampezzo and the prominent peaks surrounding it from every side.
So far, the Strobel ferrata is both pleasant and very accessible. Overcoming successive fragments of the iron road does not cause major problems—neither for me nor for Ada, who has the opportunity to walk this type of trail for the first time. We overcome all difficulties using rock holds, without the need to pull ourselves up on the safety cable.
Another fragment of stony approach follows behind the viewing terrace. In this way, we reach the most difficult stage of the ferrata – a dozen-meter rock wall, rated C. The place has been protected with iron rungs, which must be climbed literally like stairs. After overcoming the wall, we make a small traverse, and then we climb further, this time using… a several-meter ladder. Then we pass the last climbing fragment of difficulty B/C and thus finish the passage through the Strobel ferrata. Out of chronicler’s duty, I mention that completing the route requires overcoming about 600 meters of elevation difference, and it takes us about two hours. Due to the slight difficulties and relatively short distance, the ferrata will be good for beginners who want to check if this way of spending free time is right for them.
Punta Fiames Summit (2,240 m)
Reaching the summit from the end of the ferrata takes a few minutes and requires a slight diversion from the main trail. We greet the Punta Fiames summit (2,240 m a.s.l.) at 10:40 AM, therefore less than four hours since leaving the campsite. At the top, there is a small cross and a box with items left by tourists. Inside, I find a notebook for signing in, plenty of notes with various messages, a die, and even… a condom. Because you know, mountain safety is paramount :D.
Punta Fiames offers an amazing, panoramic view of all directions. Since this is my first summit in the Dolomites, I am primarily delighted by the very characteristic landforms. I have the impression that each peak has its own unique shape: mountains with gentle, friendly slopes are adjacent to a swarm of menacing spires and rocky turrets. In the west, the monumental Tofana massif looms; in the east, the sharply cut wall of the nearby Punta della Croce (2,297 m a.s.l.). In the south, we see a mass of peaks, and many of them cross the magic 3,000 m a.s.l. barrier. A fairytale panorama of Cortina d’Ampezzo stretches to the south, surrounded on all sides by high mountains. The most impressive is Punta Sorapiss (3,205 m a.s.l.) growing on the left side of the landscape, decorated with a magnificent comb of rocky turrets.
Punta della Croce (2,297 m)
After a long break at the summit, we head to the nearby Punta della Croce. For this purpose, we return to the main trail, to divert a moment later onto an inconspicuous, unmarked path. We reach the peak after a short but intense approach on stony scree. Since we quickly lose the chosen variant, we reach the summit largely “by feel.” Although Punta della Croce (2,297 m a.s.l.) is 50 meters higher than Punta Fiames, it offers practically the same views. We spend just a few minutes here, after which we start the way back. We begin with the correct variant marked on the map, but even now we quickly lose sight of it. The return to the main trail therefore takes place in uncomfortable, stony conditions.
Descent via the stone trail
A dozen minutes of descent on a stony but clear path and we are back on the marked trail. We quickly reach the Pomagagnon pass (2,178 m a.s.l.), separating Campanile Dimai (2,310 m a.s.l.) from Croda de Longes (2,443 m a.s.l.). At this point, we begin the most difficult part of today’s excursion, namely the descent through a tragic, extremely loose scree. In such terrain, there is no sense in searching for an illusory sense of control at all costs—you will slide on the pebbles in any footwear and even with the highest concentration. However it sounds, sliding must be mastered and you must try to get used to it.
Nonetheless, when we meet after dozens of minutes at a place marked as Gravon del Pomagagnon (approx. 1,800 m a.s.l.), we all feel strongly tired by the fragment covered (even more mentally than physically) and are glad to have it behind us. At this point, one can either continue the excursion via the Terza Cengia (A+) ferrata or choose the descent variant to the Boite River valley.
The next stage of the descent is already much more pleasant: the stony road is still quite loose, but it is already much better. Along with the loss of altitude, more clumps of mountain pine appear around us, and after approx. 20 minutes from Gravon del Pomagagnon, we enter directly into a dense forest. We are now walking surrounded by intense, beautiful greenery, giving a lot of breath from the already strongly operating Italian Sun. Someone would say a forest like a forest, but for some reason, I am directly delighted with this fragment, and the walk to the campsite is an extraordinary pleasure for me!
We return to the campsite a few minutes after 2:00 PM. A two-hour break for dinner and lounging in the afternoon sun awaits us now. And then? Then we plan a return to the rock, namely passing another nearby ferrata – Ettore Bovero on Col Rosà (2,166 m a.s.l.) with difficulties reaching C/D. Allow me, however, to tell you about it already in a separate post, which you can find under this link.
Date of the trip: August 10, 2025
Trip statistics: 9 km; 1,120 meters of elevation difference
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