I hiked Ferratas Ra Gusela, Nuvolau, and Averau from Passo Giau, and did a round tour back to the Pass, and here is my report, so keep reading.
If you decide to climb Ferrata Ra Gusela, Ferrata Nuvolau, and Ferrata Averau from Passo Giau and make a round tour, plan around 7 hours for the tour without rush. Maximum elevation difference is around 412 meters only, so the tour is not particularly hard. There are two huts on the route for water and food.
Coordinates, numbers & details
- Elevation at the Passo Giau car parking: 2236 m (7336 ft).
- Nearest place for supplies: Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Mountain group: Dolomites, Italian Alps.
- Route difficulty: easy to moderate ferratas.
- Elevation difference from the car parking: 412 m (1352 ft).
- Parking coordinates: 46.4824494 N, 12.0536875 E.
- Time needed from the tour: up to 7 hours.
- Useful map: Cortina d’Ampezzo e Dolomiti Ampezzane, Tabacco, 03, 1:25000.
Access roads and map
I have prepared the interactive and zoomable map below that shows some important points on this route:
- Marker 1: Start at Passo Giau.
- Marker 2: The fork point where Ra Gusela Ferrata route splits from the route to Cinque Torri.
- Marker 3: Ra Gusela Ferrata.
- Marker 4: Ra Gusella summit.
- Marker 5: Nuvolau Ferrata.
- Marker 6: Nuvolau hut.
- Marker 7: Averau hut.
- Marker 8: Averau Ferrata.
- Marker 9: Averau summit.
- Marker 10: Descent route back to Passo Giau.
Please zoom out to see access roads to this area. Note that some maps show Nuvolau and Ra Gusela Ferratas as one under the name Ferrata Ra Gusela. But these are two separate peaks, Ra Gusela and Nuvolau, and cables are separated by 600 meters or so. This is why it makes no sense using one name for both of them.
You can find the Nuvolau Ferrata part also on AllTrails. Yet another map for Averau ferrata is also available on the same site.
Route description
This tour has several different stages and those are presented in the text below. Note that it includes climbing to the summit of Ra Gusela (2595 m) which is not compulsory, but this is the crux of the route so definitely do it.
From Passo Giau to Ra Gusela Ferrata start
This is an easy part, you start from Passo Giau and follow the route 443 in the direction of Cinque Torri. There is usually lots of free parking space, but the Pass can be very crowded. The route goes below the east side of Ra Gusela peak which is on the left side above the route.
Without much elevation change, after half an hour or so, you get to the point where the route to Ra Gusela Ferrata splits to the left and up the mountain. This is the marker 2 in the map above. You are on the east side of the mountain, and if the sky is clear you will enjoy morning sunshine.
On Ra Gusela Ferrata route to Ra Gusela summit
The first part of this stage is a steep switchback route where you gain around 250 meters of elevation before getting to the cable passage, the photo below. The route number is now 438.
The cable passage is easy (check my rating below), and you do not have to use any equipment. But you will likely have a helmet, so it is best to put it on here. Below is the view back when you are close to the end of the cable. It is not particularly exposed.
After this first cable, you are at an elevation of around 2450 meters and on a large and beautiful plateau, you will see it in the video below.
Now you can continue directly to Nuvolau hut which you will see as in the photo below. But you can also turn to the left to climb the summit of Ra Gusela. This is the best part of the tour so I would not miss it. Whatever you decide, what remains is a simple walk.
So assuming that you will go to the summit, the path is marked and it navigates through a rocky but very pleasant area, first very mild and then a bit more steep below the summit. There are no exposed passages here at all.
Here is the view of Passo Giau directly below the summit of Ra Gusela (2595 m):
Remember, at this point, you are watching from the sharp peak that is shown on the top picture above.
From Ra Gusela to Nuvolau
The route from Ra Gusela summit to the Nuvolau Ferrata and to the hut itself is completely visible from the summit.
Although it may look hard as you see in the photos below, all the time this is an easy walk without exposed passages. Averau summit is also visible behind slightly left from the center.
Below you can see the beginning of the Nuvolau cables, initially very mild, and higher up a bit more exposed, and you have to climb a ladder as well.
Here is a view back towards Ra Gusela and the route passed so far. The peak looks very sharp and dangerous, but the access route which you already know is very mild.
When the cables are over, you have Rifugio Nuvolau (2574 m) in front of you, as you realize from the photo it is on an incredibly spectacular position:
From the hut, you can see Passo Giau and Ra Gusela summit, far in the background are Monte Civetta and Monte Pelmo.
On the opposite side are Cinque Torri and Tofana group in the background:
From Rifugio Nuvolau to Averau summit
On this stage, you first descend around 170 meters till Rifugio Averau. This part is easy, with excellent views of some of the most attractive places in the Dolomites. Below is the view of Averau hut seen as I was approaching it from above.
The photo shows also the access route to Averau, it goes to the right a bit around the mountain. After a short and easy walk, you are under a vertical cliff, so here you put your ferrata gear on and start climbing.
The beginning is quite demanding and steep, and you pass through this beautiful chimney shown in my photo:
There are a few more cables, some rather steep and typically crowded; here are a few scenes from that part:
The remaining part to the summit is surprisingly simple and easy, without any exposed passage. The photo below shows view up, and the summit cross is also visible.
The peak of Averau looks sharp when you see it from some distance, but in reality the summit is very mild and wide.
When you are there, and if you have followed the route as described here, you realize that this is already the third peak of the tour (see the second photo below). So the feeling of accomplishment is definitely there. Here are a few photos from the summit of Averau:
From Averau back to Passo Giau
The descent route from Averau summit is the same, there is no other normal route here. So you climb down the same way and walk back to Rifugio Averau area.
At Rifugio Averau, you continue by following the route 452 towards Passo Giau, it goes below the west side of Nuvolau and Ra Gusela. There are shortcuts on this part so you can follow them, but in general no exposed passages anywhere.
You can see more in my video, please have a look:
Rating of the three ferratas
Ferratas Ra Gusela and Nuvolau
My rating is based on the three essential criteria:
| Rating Criteria | Rating (A-E; 1-5) |
|---|---|
| Technical difficulty | A |
| Ferrata length | 1 |
| Access route difficulty | A |
| Overall Score | A1A |
The total length of the two separate cables is probably in the range of 50-100 m, hence my rating for the length.
As for Access rating, you have less than one hour walk from the parking to the first Ra Gusela cables, and for this I give A.
Rating of Ferrata Averau
The rating is assuming that you walk from Passo Giau directly, not over Nuvolau as described here.
| Rating Criteria | Rating (A-E; 1-5) |
|---|---|
| Technical difficulty | C |
| Ferrata length | 1 |
| Access route difficulty | B |
| Overall Score | C1B |
This ferrata is very short, but there are very steep passages, hence the Technical difficulty C. You need up to two hours direct walk from the Pass to the ferrata start.
Gear for this tour, water & food
For Ra Gusela and Nuvolau cables, you do not need ferrata equipment, but having a helmet may be a good idea. However, for Averau, you need a full ferrata set.
I used Mammut Sapuen GTX boots, a pair of trekking poles, and my Mammut Lithium 40 backpack. In the backpack, as usual, I had a rain poncho and rain pants, plus a rain jacket.
There are two huts on the route, so you do not have to carry food, but have water with you.
Final thoughts
In summary, this round tour from Passo Giau to via Ferrata Ra Gusela, Nuvolau, and Averau delivers three summits with minimal 412 m elevation gain, two huts for supplies, and no water sources elsewhere.
The crux is Ra Gusela summit, optional but essential for the sharp views over Passo Giau and beyond to Monte Civetta and Monte Pelmo.
Crowds build on Averau ferrata, so start early from the pass parking.
Ferrata gear is mandatory only for Averau, helmet advised for Ra Gusela and Nuvolau cables. Total time caps at 7 hours without rush, route 443 to 438 to 452.
Use Tabacco map 03, follow markers 1-10 shown in my map above, and hit the huts for food. This loop ranks easy-moderate overall, ideal for a solid Dolomites day.
Thank you for reading. Let me know if you have questions or comments, there is a comment section below. Please join us at our Facebook group Dolomites Visitors Hub.
FAQ
Is this tour suitable for beginners in via ferrata?
No, Averau has steep C-rated sections that demand full ferrata kit and experience. Nuvolau cables are short and easy (A rating), but the full loop needs solid footing on loose rock and comfort at height. New climbers should train on easier Dolomites routes first, such as Ferrata Col dei Bos.
What are the best months to do this round tour?
Mid-June to mid-October works once snow melts off cables and huts open. July-August sees heavy traffic and afternoon storms; start by 7 am. September gives clear skies and thinner crowds, based on Cortina mountain rescue logs.
Can I refill water only at the huts?
Yes, no springs exist on the route or at Passo Giau. Rifugio Nuvolau and Rifugio Averau sell bottled water and hot drinks. Carry 1–1.5 L from the car; a filter bottle adds no value here.
Is parking always free at Passo Giau?
Free unmarked spaces line the pass roadside, but they fill fast by 9 am in summer. A small paid lot sits close to the restaurant (5–8 €/day). Arrive before 8 am or park 1 km down the road and walk up.
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