Via Ferrata Covarey

Introduction:

The Covarey Ferrata is a generally easy and short via ferrata. An overhanging passage and a pair of swinging ladders slightly raise the degree of difficulty. However, it could be a good route for a mountain novices.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is Covarey in the province of Aosta. At Covarey continue on the road where you arrive continuing towards the Chevrere Mont Avic Wildlife Park. We park in the park's large parking lot.

Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

From the parking lot continue towards the Visitor Center of the Covarey Park where we will find a bulletin board illustrating the via ferrata and behind it we can see the wall on which it will develop. Take the wide path taking the right at the first saddle. Pass over a small bridge over a stream to continue on the now narrower path with faded yellow signs until you reach the Covarey Ferrata after a few steep and difficult sections (30 'from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

The via ferrata starts with a horizontal traverse with wooden frames as a footbridge. So we come to a ladder. This staircase of about 40 pegs is not the usual metal staircase, but rather a ladder with pegs composed of round wooden frames anchored to the support ropes of the staircase. The ladder is quite mobile. You pass a horizontal section up to a small, expansive terrace where a canapone helps us to climb it. Then we reach a vertical but pleasantly climbing stretch, reaching the second staircase, similar to the first but shorter. So we come to the rocky outcrop where Covarey's Ferrata ends (45 'from the start - 1h 15' total).

Descent:

From the end of the Covarey Ferrata, continue uphill along the stony ground until it intersects a path that goes down the forest to the right as far as the piazzale di La Ville. Following the paved road we reach the point where we parked the car (20 'from the end of the via ferrata). Attention that the indications are absent.

Notes:

This short ferrata is a combination of three different short aided sections. The (few) difficulties are concentrated in the central section between the first staircase and the short overhanging section. The stretch to pay more attention to is probably the return path.

Opportunities:

The Covarey Ferrata is a short and not strenuous itinerary that allows you to follow another ferrata during the same day. We suggest the most difficult Via Ferrata del Gorbeillon going up the road towards Cervinia or the Via Ferrata Casimiro or the Ferrata Josè Angster.