Via Ferrata Rocca dei Corvi

Introduction:

The Ferrata Rocca dei Corvi is an aerial and demanding via ferrata that extends on the Rocca dei Corvi that overlooks the Mongia stream in the province of Cuneo. The via ferrata is satisfying, tiring, never dull despite the abundance of brackets present. Wide variety of passages, in particular horizontal and diagonal cross-sections, sections in unpaved, Tibetan bridges. In summary, a little-known but certainly interesting and engaging via ferrata.

Starting location:

The starting point is the Chapel of Santa Caterina not far from the town of Viola in the province of Cuneo. You can reach Viola by exiting the A6 at the Ceva tollbooth, then going up the SS 28 of the Valle del Torrente Mongia up to Ceva first, Mombasiglio then and then Viola. Once in Viola you must continue towards Saint Grèe and pay attention to a yellow sign on the left indicating the Ferrata Rocca dei Corvi. Go along a narrow and paved road to the chapel where you park, or continue further downhill along the dirt road for another kilometer where there is a parking lot shortly after passing a river.

Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

Continue along the dirt road to the parking lot after the river, then uphill along the dirt road. continue until you see the signs with a yellow arrow for the via ferrata. The path descends steeply to a rocky clearing where we have a signposted junction:

• on the left "Via Ferrata ascending the Mongia stream",
• on the right "Via Ferrata from the Tibetan bridge".

Going right, the first part of the via ferrata is cut. This report follows the saddle to the left, thus covering the entire via ferrata.

At the saddle to the left you go down for about 10 minutes of descent leading us to the start of the via ferrata on the left side of Mongia (30 'from the parking lot) after passing an unstable wooden walkway.

Via Ferrata:

A short and slippery vertical wall is attached near a waterfall that in spring can be particularly insidious given the flow of the stream. Some metal brackets present help in the climb. Continue ignoring a footbridge over the river until you reach a wooden staircase that goes up a vertical wall of about 5 meters in a slight overhang. Continue around an edge over the stream with the help of brackets for both hands and feet. Go around the edge and climb up the rocky ridge, gaining altitude. Back up the corner above us is the suspension bridge that will be covered on the way back. Continue along a ridge and then climb over a tree and go around a large stone. At this point you attach a quite oblique traverse over which you climb a vertical wall and then turn right on another horizontal first diagonal then uphill cross that takes us to a comfortable terrace where you can make a comfortable and panoramic stop (40 'from the start). Despite the abundant presence of brackets, the progression requires a good physical shape given the different overhanging sections.

A leaning wall is attached where you continue diagonally until you reach another vertical wall with a slight overhang. The brackets present simplify an otherwise difficult passage. After this stretch you join the easier stretch of the via ferrata. Continue on easy rocks, go up a slab leaning you reach a saddle in the road. On the right the easiest path crosses to the base of the wall, while on the left a short chimney is attached to be climbed paying attention in the case of a bulky backpack. Continue on a traverse to a ladder to go downhill. We will then reach a small terrace from which an uphill ledge starts. This ledge gradually becomes narrower until it becomes an exposed traverse to travel diagonally. We meet at the easy via ferrata for a short stretch up to a later crossroads: the easy via ferrata continues to the left along a rocky spur, to the right along the last uphill sections towards the summit of the Rocca dei Corvi (1h 15 'from the start). You return following the via ferrata on the easiest route. Descend the spur of rock and then follow the east ridge to a rocky pulpit. You tackle a more difficult downhill section, or go round a corner downhill using some brackets. This passage is aerial and not trivial when going downhill. Continue the descent until you reach the chimney that was previously uphill. At the next junction, take the left along an easy gully with a metal cable until you reach the rocks on which the Tibetan bridge is aided. We pass the suspension bridge and passing a short traverse we are at the end of the Ferrata di Rocca dei Corvi (2h from the start - 2h 30 'total).

Descent:

Go up the route taken on the outward journey to the car (20 'from the end of the via ferrata - 3h total).

Notes:

The equipment is excellent and plentiful. The entire itinerary can lead people who are not fit to tire their arms very much. Therefore it may be useful to refer back to a couple of traverses. For inexperienced hikers, the easy route can be taken, that is by crossing the Tibetan bridge immediately and going up and down the same route.

Opportunities:

The Ferrata of the Rocca dei Corvi is located in the Ligurian Alps in the province of Cuneo. The nearest via ferratas are: la Via Ferrata of the Artists (in the province of Savona - 1h 45 '), the Via Ferrata Funs, the Ferrata Rocca Senghi and the Via Ferrata of the BEC Valletta (in the province of Cuneo - all about 1h 30 'by car). Among the others via ferratas in Cuneo that we suggest to deepen there are also the long climb to the Dronero with the Ferrata degli Alpini and the Ferrata di Chiaronto in Val Varaita.

Wanting to move to the south instead you can reach the beautiful Via Ferrata of the Artists in the province of Savona.