In the southernmost chain of Puez group, starting on the east on Passo Cir, 2469m, and finishing on the west in Val Gardena near Wolkenstein, the highest summit is an elegant tower, standing just above the very frequented Passo Gardena / Groedner Joch, 2121m. Due to the fact that the main road ascends so high towards it and that further on the summit a medium hard ferrata helps you, Gran Cir / Grosse Cirspitze is very frequently visited. So, if you are in that region, looking for an idea where to find a nice, short (3h) tour, this can be one recommendation. Besides the normal ascents in the steep rocky walls of Gran Cir / Grosse Cirspitze also some hard climbs can be done.

The view from the summit is great. On the south the great colossus of Sella is covering half of the horizon. During the ascent you can enjoy looking at every detail of Sella's north side. On the southwest mighty Sassolungo/Langkofel attracts all views. Behind it, you will recognize Sciliar/Schlern. On the northern and eastern side the whole Geisler-Puez group is stretching in front of us.

The route of the normal ascent follows the one from famous J. Santner.

Summit Views

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Routes Overview

Normal ascent

From Passo Gardena / Groedner Joch, 2121m, you go northwards into a ravine and with a help of steel ropes and pegs out of it on a steep roof and over it to the summit. Medium hard ferrata, 1h 30min.

Harder climbs

I could find only these two routes, please add more!
1. Via Baldessari-Campanelli. (6).
2. Tartarin sur les Alpes. (6+/A2 - free?).

On March 14, 2005 Gangolf Haub adds according to E. A. Striebitz's guidebook: Dolomiten Puez / Peitlerkofel, Rother Verlag, ISBN: 3 7633 1307 9 the following routes:

- Normal Route. F.A.: J. Santner, G. Merzbacher (1887). Grade I, length 400m.
- East wall chimney. F.A. unknown. Grade V, length 200m.
- East Face. F.A.: E.E. Striebitz, R. Pollner (1978). Grade V, length 350m.
- South-West Face "Via Camerun". F.A.: Glück, Demetz, Camerun (1931). Grades V / A1, length 350m.
- Direct Access; Variation of the Normal Route. Grade V
- Direct South Face. F.A.: P. Pelegrinon, M. Gottardo (??). Grades VI / A, length 160m.
- South-Eastern Edge "Via Demetz". F.A.: unknown. Grades V / A1, length: 600m.
- Adang Chimney. F.A.: J. Adang, F. Pospischil, A. Rudiferia (1901). Grades unknown - too brittle to climb today...
- West Face "Herbstführe". F.A.: I. and T. Rabanser (1984). Grade V-, length 280m.

On March 14, 2005 Lupino lists two more routes:

- SE edge, Demetz-Groppello route (UIAA V+), 210 meters;
- S face, Camerun route (UIAA V+), 150 meters.

Getting There

For the broader overview see the pages: Puez-Geisler (Odle) Subgroup and Dolomites.

Passo Gardena / Groedner Joch, 2121m, can be reached by a good road either from the west (Bolzano/Bozen - Val Gardena / Groedner Tal) or from the east (Corvara).

Red Tape

The summit stands within The Natural Park Puez-Geisler. Parking on Passo Gardena / Groedner Joch is free.

When To Climb

The best time is summer and autumn. An ascent in winter conditions can be even by the normal route quite hard.

Huts and Camping

No huts and camping needed for the ascent. If you wish to stay in the region, you can find more information on the Puez-Geisler (Odle) Subgroup page.

Images



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