Via Ferrata Cabirol

Introduction:

The Ferrata del Cabirol winds along a wall overlooking the sea on the Capo Caccia promontory in the northwestern part of the Sardinia. Between ledges, traverses and exposed vertical walls, this via ferrata is a pleasant, very rewarding landscape itinerary that will not leave disappointed those who decide to follow it.

Update June 2018: the Ferrata del Cabirol is temporarily closed due to municipal ordinance.

Starting location:

The starting point of the trip is Capo Caccia. To reach the car park where you leave the car, go along Provincial Road 55 bis (panoramic) leading to the Capo Caccia promontory. Near the Alghero airport continue towards the sea following the signs for Capo Caccia. The car stands on a widening of the panoramic road at the Belvedere for the Foradada island.

Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

Park the car and follow a trail that continues south along several cliffs. The trace is evident even if signs are missing. Continue past the Grotta delle Brocche Rotte and continue for a few minutes to reach the Cabirol via ferrata signposted (20 'from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

The via ferrata begins with an easy stretch of descent towards the low ledge. Follow a wide ledge to the left without protections. After this stretch the ledge narrows on a sandy and slippery surface and faces an aided rocky roof. After this stretch, continue along the ledge up to a vertical stretch with a slight overhang. The technical difficulties are greatly reduced by the brackets present and after the overhanging section some passages are started on exposed but not difficult traverses. A more athletic traverse is reached with the cable positioned so as to push us outwards and then to cross quickly to avoid tiring the arms. At this point two non-difficult vertical walls face down. At this point one faces an overhanging traverse in which one must not waver to avoid unnecessarily tiring the arms. Turn an edge and descend a vertical and exposed section where the pegs present guide us along the descent. We are in the final stretch of the ferrata that leads us to the end of the Ferrata del Cabirol between ledges and small vertical sections (3h from the start - about 3h 20 ').

Descent:

Continue left downhill along the edge of the cliffs until you reach the cars (15 'from the end of the via ferrata - 3h 40' total).

Notes:

The Ferrata del Cabirol is also feasible in the opposite direction to this review. In this case, at the initial junction, continue along the edge of the cliff for a hundred meters until you reach a stone man where you descend and reach the start of the via ferrata.

Opportunities:

Just south of Sassari there is the Via Ferrata Giorrè which is less than an hour's drive from the Ferrata del Cabirol as well as the Ferrata della Regina. Moving to the east coast of Sardinia, near Olbia, we can climb the spectacular Via Ferrata degli Angeli. In the hinterland of Nuoro you can walk the Ferrata of Badde Pentumas while in that of Oristano we meet the recent Ferrata of the Castle of Medusa. In the province of Carbonia Iglesias we can cover the Ferrata of Gutturu Xeu inland and the magnificent Ferrata del Pan di Zucchero on the homonymous rock.