Italy’s Dolomites continue to face danger amid what CNN has dubbed “the deadliest hiking season of the century.” Starting July 30 and 31, and into the first days of August 2025, a series of rockfalls swept down the Cima Falkner in Italy’s Brenta Dolomites region. Standing at a height of 9,840 feet, Cima Falkner is one of the tallest and most renowned peaks in Italy’s famous Dolomites. Its summit is reachable only by the Sentiero Attrezzato Alfredo e Rodolfo Benini via ferrata.
A via ferrata, meaning “iron path” in Italian, is a protected climbing route that combines elements of hiking and rock climbing. They feature fixed cables, ladders, and other metal fixtures attached to rock faces, allowing climbers to traverse steep terrain with the aid of a harness, lanyard, and carabiners. The airy but straightforward via ferrata is extremely busy with climbers in the summer. Due to the limited travel options and dangerous nature of the area, trails and local huts were closed and hundreds of hikers and climbers were forced to evacuate the area in the wake of the slide.
Hikers initially reported hearing a loud bang, followed by a shower of rocks raining down from above. All hikers in the area were immediately evacuated to the top station of the Groste chairlift or to the Stoppani al Grostè refuge. In a statement, Trentino rescue corps announced “All climbing routes and hiking trails directly affected by the area have been immediately closed, including the Benini via ferrata (No. 305) and trails No. 315, 316, and 331.”
The following morning, geologists from the provincial geology service flew to the summit of Cima Falkner to further investigate the stability of the region. After thorough investigation, it was concluded that the area remained unstable due to the thawing of permafrost. The local Trentino government released footage from the drone, showing dramatic footage of the 1.27 million cubic feet of rock that were affected in the slide.
Experts attribute the increased frequency and intensity of these rockfalls to the melting of permafrost caused by rising temperatures and climate change in the Alps. Geological inspections confirm the instability of the affected area, with significant expansion of existing fractures in the rock. While some sections of trails may have reopened, the Trentino authorities urge visitors to stay on marked paths and exercise caution due to the ongoing risk of further rockfalls. Notably, the Benini via ferrata (trail 305) and trail 331 (connecting 316 and 305) remained closed as of August 6. Trentino authorities and rescue organizations stress that these closures must be respected for the safety of all hikers and visitors to the area.
The slide comes in the wake of other ongoing issues in the Dolomites throughout the summer. Issues with overcrowding, falls, missing persons, and fatalities have plagued the region. In a single month—between June 21 and July 23—83 people lost their lives in the Italian mountains, while five people are still missing, according to the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS). Authorities hope that the recent closures will give rescue teams and visitors alike a chance to regain control and prevent further unnecessary loss of life.
