La parete sud della Grande Fermeda.

Every time I set foot in the Odle mountains, it’s a leap into the past—back to childhood walks with my family among the alpine pastures of Val di Funes, beneath the Dolomites’ most photogenic range. On long-hike days, we’d cross Forcella di Mesdì to reach the sun-drenched slopes facing Val Gardena. It’s here, on the south faces of the Odle, that the area’s most popular climbs converge: rock solid and beautiful, unlike the dramatic but chossy north aspects.

The Fermeda peaks—a jagged cluster of spires—gave the Odle their name (“Needles” in Ladin). Both Piccola Fermeda and Grande Fermeda offer many fun, easy rock routes suited for a wide audience.

The normal route up Grande Fermeda is a rewarding climb for novice alpinists—the Cima Grande di Lavaredo of Val Gardena, if you will. First ascended in 1887 by guide Michele Bettega (the first guide from Primiero) and companions, it’s easily accessed from the Col Raiser lifts. The south face delivers delightful, never-grueling climbing. Who’d guess, gazing up from Alpe di Cisles, that you can even walk midway up the wall? The rock shines brightest here: magnificent steep slabs (max Grade III – 5.4 YDS) rich with holds and footholds.

Climbing the Grande Fermeda, Odle. Val Gardena.

Despite numerous cairns, Grande Fermeda sees few crowds, route-finding intuition and terrain mastery are essential, especially since the descent retraces the lengthy ascent. In short: a summit for lovers of quiet journeys, off the beaten tracksm, echoing the spirit of alpinism’s golden age.