3. Ferrata Monte Cavallino – Große Kinigat (2,689 m)

Arrival and starting journey

Towards Austria in the direction of Sillian, after Sillian at Tasssenbach right towards the Tyrolian Gailtal Valley towards Kartitsch. Through the town until you arrive at Kartitsch-district Erschbaum. Arrived take detour to the right towards the sawmill. At the sawmill starts a gravel road into the Erschbaum Valley. Access to the small parking lot, right before the road ends, rise permitted (vehicle with a higher wheelbase required). If you park your car at the sawmill, you have to calculate with additional 1,5 hours approach time.

Character and general information

The Via Ferrata on the “Große Kinigat” is a difficult one with an alpine touch. The route leads up upon a big pillar and specially in the lower parts there are some tricky climbing passages, some cliffy ledges with only few spots for the feet. You shouldn’t’ underestimate the tour, climbing distance are 650 meters. Overall form the landscape points it’s an impressive tour, on the descent over the “Hintersattel” you could also take a rest at the Filmoor Standschützen hut.

Ascent to the wall

From the parking space in the Erschbaumer Valley, follow the hiking trail in the direction of the Filmoor Stanschützen hut. After a small cabin on the road, you reach a small, green, nearly shallow high valley. Right in the middle of that there you find a rock formation, from which you leave the trail and after the before mentioned rocks you go to the right to the ascent.

Route Info

Already at the beginning the trail leads steep uphill, and right afterwards it leads over slabs, across a buttress and a steep wall on the Kartischerköpfel. From there over a step in the wall across sleeper slab to the “Silver slab”. Forward through the “red channel” (red rock) and then to the right from the edge across easier terrain to a plate traverse. Finally, across scree after 25 minutes you reach the summit cross. The difficulties in the lower parts are along the so called Ivory buttress and the Schwitzer Wall, but also the slab after Kartitscher unfold, is kind an intensive part.

Descent

From the exit along the spot mark to the hiking trail and following this up to the peak. From the peak, you have to go uphill for a small distance and then to the left on the ramp to the foot of the wall. From there left to the “Hinter” col (from there it’s possible to make a sortie to the Filmoor Standschützen hut) continuing to the left across another col back into the “Tscharr” Valley, there you run into the trail, which you made uphill.

Version across the “Sandy Runscht”: From the peak, you follow the trail into western direction (Kleiner Kinigat) after a short passage secured by rope (difficulty A to B) you arrive to a grassy saddle with direction signs and bunkers. From there in northern direction up the “Runschten” to the ascent trail (Unmarked, clear trail signs, cliffy rock fan).

Making the Runschten you save from 30 to 45 minutes compared to the trail over the “Hinter” saddle, but scenic not that impressive.

Equipment

Complete Via Ferrata set and shoes with anti-slip sole (maybe also climbing shoes). For weaker eventually also a rope.

Comment

Via Ferrata secured with a rope and some clamps. In case of humidity you should avoid the trail. People with modest climbing technique will have some difficulties.
Specially in the lower part, you should be careful not to set stones in motion.

Attention: On the entire Via Ferrata there is no emergency exit.