Sas Rigais
3,025 m
Italy
Also known as Sass RigaisAlso known as
Sass Rigais
- Elevation
- 3,025 m
- Prominence
- 264 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2Sources differ: VF B/C (hoehenrausch.de, sehn-suchtberge blog) · VF C (alpenvereinaktiv (AVS Meran))
The historic normal route up the highest of the Odle/Geisler spires: from the Col Raiser gondola past Rifugio Firenze to the Plan Ciautier meadows, up a steep boulder gully and then about 500 m of cabled ledges, short ladders and exposed ridge on the south-west flank to the summit cross. About 1,000 m of ascent; 4 hours up from the lift.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 4.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +999 m
- −77 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 3,025 m
- Time Up
- 4h 05m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 52m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the top station of the Col Raiser gondola (2,107 m) above Santa Cristina, take path 4 down to Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte, 2,037 m) and path 13 north across the meadows to the flat terrace of Plan Ciautier (2,322 m) below the south faces of the Odle; alternatively go direct on paths 4A/2B. Turn left (signposted) onto path 29 towards the Forcella de Mesdì (Mittagsscharte) and climb the narrow, steep gully in many zigzags. About two-thirds of the way up, some 70 m below the notch, red 'SaasRi' lettering and a wooden sign mark the start of the ferrata (about 2,826 m), roughly 2 hours from the lift. The first steep steps are well protected with steel cables and two small wooden bridges. The cables then give way to a steep but easy path slanting right over broken rock (some unprotected grade I). In the upper part cables return over steep rock bands to the most exposed section, a well-equipped but airy ridge leading to the summit cross. Most sources grade the climbing B, some B/C or C; allow about 2 hours on the ferrata. Descend the same way (about 3 hours to the lift) or by the east ferrata into the Val dala Saliëries, which is slightly harder and often holds snow early in the season. Both lines are dangerous when wet or snowy. The last gondola down runs at 17:00–17:30 in summer and 16:30 from mid-October; if the lift is not running, start from Daunëi above Selva (1,687 m) on path 3 to Rifugio Firenze, about 1½ hours.
Start
Col Raiser2,103 m
- Santa Cristina – Col Raiser gondola (2026: 22 May – 1 November, from 08:30; last descent 17:00–17:30 in summer, 16:30 from mid-October)
- Buses run through Val Gardena to Santa Cristina; the Col Raiser valley station is a short walk or local bus ride from the village.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Col Raiser → Sas Rigais | 4.9 | 999 | 77 | 4h 05m |
Waypoints
- Lift: Col Raiser2,103 m
- Hut: Rifugio Firenze2,039 m
- Summit: Sas Rigais3,025 m
Key Passages
- Steep boulder gully towards the Forcella de Mesdì
- First cabled steps with two wooden bridges
- Exposed cabled summit ridge
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
With the neighbouring Furchetta the highest of the Odle (Geisler) spires (3,025 m), above Val Gardena and Val di Funes. Two moderate via ferratas reach its summit cross from the Col Raiser gondola.
Sas Rigais stands at the centre of the Odle (German Geislerspitzen), the jagged row of dolomite towers between Val Gardena to the south and Val di Funes (Villnöss) to the north, inside the Puez-Odle Nature Park. It and the Furchetta, just to the east across the Val dala Saliëries, both measure 3,025 m; Sas Rigais is usually treated as the main summit because of its massive form. The Ladin 'sas' means rock; the origin of 'Rigais' is uncertain.
Unlike the sheer north faces of the Furchetta, Sas Rigais has two straightforward via ferratas, on its south-west and east flanks, which make it one of the most popular 3,000 m summits in the Dolomites. They are moderate (mostly B, with some C and unprotected grade I sections) but long, with about 1,000 m of ascent from the Col Raiser gondola, and the final ridge is airy. Reinhold Messner, who grew up in Val di Funes, has said it was his first 3,000 m summit, climbed at the age of five.
The summit view takes in the Sassolungo, the Sella and Puez groups and, on clear days, the Austrian Alps to the north. The surrounding Seceda and Col Raiser meadows are among the busiest areas of the Dolomites in summer.
Climbing Notes
Suitable for walkers with some via ferrata experience, a head for heights and the fitness for a 6½–7 hour day with about 1,000 m of ascent from the Col Raiser lift. Carry a full ferrata set and helmet; a short rope helps protect less experienced partners. Altitude is rarely noticeable.
Most people start with the first Col Raiser gondola at 08:30 to be down before the last descent (17:00–17:30 in summer) and before afternoon thunderstorms, which are frequent and dangerous on the cables. The traverse, up one ferrata and down the other, is popular; the east side is slightly harder and holds snow longer. Both are dangerous when wet or snowy, so in June and after summer snowfalls take crampons and an axe or choose another day.
Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte) below the route is a convenient overnight stop for an early start. If the Col Raiser lift is closed, start from Daunëi above Selva.
History
Chamois hunters from Val Gardena, probably including Johann Baptist Vinatzer, are thought to have reached the summit in the 1860s. The first recorded ascent was on 4 July 1878 by Giorgio and Giovanni Battista Bernard, Bruno Wagner and Franz (or Eduard) Niglutsch by the west side, roughly the line of today's south-west ferrata, which was protected in the early 20th century. The east ridge was first climbed on 13 September 1888 by Hans Hess, Robert Schmitt and Karl Schulz.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; ferratas snow-covered
- Feb
- Winter conditions
- Mar
- Winter conditions
- Apr
- Snow on the routes
- May
- Col Raiser lift opens late May but the gullies are still full of snow
- Jun
- Rifugio Firenze opens in June; snow in the gully and on the east side
- Jul
- Main season; busy; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Main season
- Sep
- Often stable and quieter
- Oct
- Lift runs to 1 November (2026) with earlier last descents; early snow and ice make the routes dangerous
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Rifugio Firenze / Regensburger Hütte: book directly with the hut (rifugiofirenze.com, +39 0471 796307).
- Fees
- Col Raiser gondola (summer 2026): about EUR 23 up, EUR 34 return (third-party figures; check at the ticket office)
- Paid parking at the Col Raiser valley station (2025: EUR 1.50 per hour for the first 3 hours, then EUR 1 per hour)
- Rules
- Puez-Odle Nature Park: stay on marked paths and do not walk across the meadows; rules are enforced by rangers
- Via ferratas are not suitable for dogs
- Getting There
Santa Cristina / St. Christina in Val Gardena; Ortisei and Selva nearby
Bolzano (BZO); Innsbruck (INN), Verona (VRN) and Venice (VCE) are larger
- By car or bus to Santa Cristina in Val Gardena, then the Col Raiser gondola (valley station above the village) to 2,107 m
- Without the lift: from Daunëi (1,687 m) above Selva on path 3 to Rifugio Firenze, about 1½ hours
- From Ortisei the Ortisei–Furnes–Seceda lifts (2026: 22 May – 2 November; Dolomiti Super Summer passes not accepted) also give access
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 2,037 m