Via Ferrata Gabrielli at Cima d'Asta

Introduction:

The Ferrata Gabrielli at the Cima d'Asta is an easy ferrata inserted in a long and suggestive ring route that will allow us to reach the highest peak of the Lagorai chain. The itinerary goes back up a good gap and for the most part is not difficult and is suitable for beginners.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is Malga Sorgazza (1451 m) in Valsugana in the province of Trento. From Trento Nord follow the signs for Valsugana and Padua passing Caldonazzo and Levico. After about fifty kilometers from Trento take Pieve Tesino on the left and upon reaching this town, go up via Marchetto to the left until a bend where you continue straight on to Malga Sorgazza and Cima d'Asta. After a few kilometers of mountain road we will reach the large parking lot. Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

The first part of the approach consists of a walk along a forest (CAI 327) that leads us uphill to pass next to a artificial lake first and then to the Sorgazza War Cemetery. We continue ignoring the crossroads for CAI 386 for Monte Coston (right) and CAI 360 for Buse Todesche (left) in the direction of the valley station of the cable car of Rifugio Brentari. At the following crossroads (1650 m - 40 'from the parking lot) we will keep the CAI 380 which branches off to the left initially in a slight slope, then on a rising slope in a zig zag direction Magna Saddle. We continue on this path for about 1h and 15 'up to reach the saddle where we will keep on the right the CAI 326 which goes up towards the Rifugio Brentari and the Ferrata Gabrielli. We continue for about a quarter of an hour and we will find a crossroads: straight ahead 326 towards the hut, we will keep the left uphill along a mule track following a signpost on stone with directions for the Ferrata Giulio Gabrielli (CAI 375). The path proceeds without difficulty bypassing just below Punta Socede (2345 m). Now we continue downhill towards Tellina saddle (2249 m) from which we can see the wall on which the ferrata will develop. Once we reach the saddle we hold the left side of the mountain following the white red signs and in short we are at the start of the via ferrata indicated by the distinctive red sign and from a singular bright yellow wall (2260 m - 2h 45 'from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

The Ferrata Giulio Gabrielli begins by climbing up one series of rocks to the right for then bend to the left and go up some rocky jumps a little exposed but not particularly difficult. We continue on a rocky ledge that is not difficult and soon the aided sections end. We now begin a stretch of path that is an intermezzo between the two sections of the ferrata.

We now come to the second stretch of via ferrata, more vertical than the previous one. Let's start with one aided wall from a series of metal brackets. Go up one first section, then cross a short terrace to the right to go up a second stretch and left again to undertake the third trait always vertical on solid brackets.

We continue now with a path at high altitude in the direction of Cima di Col Verde - without directions - which we reach (1h after the Ferrata Gabrielli start - 3h 45 'total) after having covered a couple of exposed sections aided with in front of us the impressive silhouette of Cima d'Asta. From Cima Verde you descend on a stony ground marked in the direction of the Passo di Socede (2518 m - 4h total).

From Passo Socede we have some alternatives:

• keeping to the right on CAI 375, reach Cima d'Asta by going up the Canalone dei Bassanesi (marked as Sentiero Alpinistico) which presents passages I + degree. Go up a steep gully following red marks on the rocks that will lead us to the Bocchetta del Canalon (2664 m - 45 'from the Socede Pass) from where we will climb on the ridge to the right with passages of I + degree following the red signs that will lead us to Cima d'Asta (2847 m - 45 'from the Bocchetta del Canalone - 5h 30' total) passing next to the Cavinato shelter.
• keeping right on CAI 375 reach the Rifugio Brentari (2473 m) and then following the CAI 364 go up to Cima d'Asta with the normal route (1h 30 'from the Socede Pass).

Descent:

From Cima d'Asta we descend along the normal route that leads us to the CAI 364 where we will keep the right side of the hill in the direction of Forzelletta - reachable by an aided uphill section - to descend to the Brentari Hut (1h 15 'from the Cima d'Asta - about 6h 45' total).

From the Hut we continue downhill going around the beautiful Lake Cima d'Asta in which we will keep the CAI 327 downhill. We continue in descent on slabs ignoring the crossroads on the right for the 327B first and for Forcella Magna then continue downhill up to meet the junction of the outward journey near the cableway (1h 45 'from the Rifugio Brentari - 3h from Cima d'Asta - about 8h total). We continue now on the path traveled to the parking area (8h 30 in total).

Notes:

The Ferrata Giulio Gabrielli is a via ferrata that from the technical point of view is of an easy level, presenting no point of particular technical or physical commitment. The trip in the complex is very beautiful and the level of difficulty Ferrata on a moderately difficult level is to be understood only for the stretch of the Canalone dei Bassanesi which presents some passages that are not difficult but certainly higher than the rest of the route. The view from Cima d'Asta absolutely deserves the length and difference in height of the hike, ranging 360 degrees from the Small Dolomites to the South, the Pale di San Martino to the east, the glaciers on the border with Austria to the north and the Brenta Dolomites and the Adamello to the west.

Opportunities:

The Ferrata Giulio Gabrielli is inserted within a long ring-route and the same day it will not be possible to chain new aided routes. The Lagorai area is not full of aided paths and you could move towards Bassano - Via Ferrata Sass Brusai, Ferrata Guzzella, Aided path of Heroes or Ferrata Santa Felicità. Alternatively, towards Trento we will meet the first Aided path Chiesa in the Val Scura or the Aided path Bertotti near Lake Caldonazzo. Moving towards the Fiera di Primero, we will be able to enter Val di Scala and take the homonymous via ferrata.