The 3,025 m high Sass Rigais (Sas Rigais in Ladin) in the Puez-Odle Nature Park is the highest mountain of the Odle Group
The Sass Rigais with its 3,025 m a.s.l. is as high as the neighbouring Furchetta, but due to its massive and dominant shape it is regarded as the highest mountain of the Odle Group. The name Rigais either goes back to the old Ladin word for a vertical fold (referred to the north wall) or to the large number of deer here in former times.
In 1878 the Sass Rigais was climbed for the first time across the west side by Giorgio and Giovanni Bernard, Bruno Wagner and Eduard Niglutsch. In 1890 the first ascent in winter succeeded by Johann Santner who also gave name to the Punta Santner in the Sciliar Massif. Today the Sass Rigais is a famous hiking destination during summer.
Two via ferrata routes proceed up to the peak: the Via Ferrata East starts in S. Cristina in the Val Gardena valley and proceeds via the Col Raiser and the Rif. Firenze in Cisles across the south-west route. Starting point for this five-hour hike is the mountain station of the Col Raiser Cable Car. The Via Ferrata South is a bit more difficult and proceeds along the Saliëries Wind Gap in the Val dla Salieries valley across the east flank to the summit. On the top a spectacular panoramic view on the Odle peaks and the mountain groups of the Valle Isarco and Val Gardena valleys awaits you.
