Introduction:
The Ferrata Mario Minonzio is a beautiful ferrata that extends along a stretch of ridge that will lead us to the Zuccone Campelli above the Piani di Bobbio. The ferrata does not have extremely difficult stretches but a high variety of passages, never banal, with high exposure. The environment is austere and, despite the relatively low altitude, it is high mountain and therefore the necessary precautions are needed.
Starting location:
The starting point of the itinerary is the top station of the cablecar at Piani di Bobbio. To reach the valley station of the cable car continue from Lecco in the direction of Val Sassina passing Ballabio and reaching Barzio. Once in Barzio take the signs for the center and then for the cable car. Go up the road for a few bends and you will reach the parking area of the cable car.
If desired, it could also rise from the opposite side in the province of Bergamo but in this report we consider the top station of the cable car as the starting point of the itinerary.
Directions for Google Maps available here.
Approach:
From the cable car station we will start by reaching the Lecco Hut above the ski slopes and from there we continue up the Valle dei Camosci through an evident path on the left side of the valley. We will reach a crossroads with the normal road to the left for the Zucco di Barbisino and straight with yellow signs the direction for the Aided Minonzio Path. We continue along the beautiful path with yellow signs up to reach the first metal chains..
Although the aided sections are starting, it is not the real start of the via ferrata. However, it is advisable to wear the harness at this point. We cover a ledge beyond which we begin to climb the first aided sections diagonally to the right uphill and then subsequently to another stretch aided up to the start marked with a red arrow in addition to the usual yellow signs.
Via Ferrata:
The immediately vertical ferrata is attached. The very first meters are climbable and it is pleasent to climb then increase the difficulty levelwith a stone that slightly obstructs the passage and therefore requires more attention. After the first 10 meters traverse to the left bypassing an edge . It goes around and starts vertically for a climbing stretch.
Now we come to a narrow, ridge-like path with which we reach the next yellow sign and start the equipment again. Climb some rocks, initially easy then less. We are now back on the ridge with the peak of Zuccone Campelli ahead of us as we begin a series of aided ups and downs in which to pay attention also because of the sometimes crumbly bottom. In fact we continue along the ridge standing at times on the right side, sometimes on the left side. Some of these traits must be taken with caution, particularly downhill.
Thus we come to what could be called the key passage of the via ferrata: a long gully to downclimb. The descent is long and definitely full of adrenaline, despite there are plenty of holds for hands and foot. We descend between carvings and spiers in a crescendo of emotions until we pass on the opposite side of the gully where we will begin to climb again. The climb alternates vertical sections with ledges and short traverses until it reaches a metal ladder. Gone up the ladder continue on some easy rocks to reach a ledge. Follow it and you reach the last stretch with some difficulty: you go up a crack with the chain on our left side and many natural holds on the right side. Go up it and come to a gully that we descend and then climb again on a stony path and reach the yellow sign that indicates the end of the Mario Minonzio Ferrata. From the end of the ferrata we continue on the small path until we reach the highest point of the Zuccone Campelli (2173 m - 1h 45 'from the start - 2h 30 from the top station of the cable car).
Descent:
For the descent you have two options with the first section in common. From the end of the via ferrata, looking at the cross, continue to the right up to the saddle where the ferrata ends. We continue now on the ridge path towards a summit where a repeater is located. Just beyond the repeater we will have a crossroads:
Notes:
The Ferrata Mario Minonzio is a beautiful ferrata of the ridge, artificially aided with moderation and a surprising environment. Easy sections alternate with adrenaline and technical traits (such as the downhill couloir). The difficulty is never excessive but always present. Plenty of exposure along the way. Not recommended in the event of unstable weather. Pay attention to the approach couloir which, even at the beginning of the season, often presents snow.
Opportunities:
An interesting opportunity is to combine the Mario Minonzio Ferrata with the Aided path of the Stradini, along the latter before the ferrata. In this case, instead of going up to the Piani di Bobbio cableway, take the cable car up to the Piani d'Artavaggio and, via the Stradini Trail, reach the Lecco hut in 2 hours, from where it continues as indicated above in the approach. At the end of the Ferrata Minonzio you would then descend via the normal route towards the Rifugio Cazzaniga and then towards the Piani d'Artaveggio.
Another possibility for the more experienced is to walk the neighbor Via Ferrata of Zucco Pesciola uphill and then take the Ferrata Mario Minonzio downhill. In this case, from the end of the Ferrata Zucco Pesciola we proceed towards the Cristo delle Vette where to reach it we will have to go up an exposed wall with passages of I and II degree. From the Cristo delle Vette descend to the Dente dei Campelli until the end of the Ferrata Mario Minonzio which will be covered downhill.
Finally, if instead you wanted to opt, once the single ascent to Mario Minonzio ended, to another route in the lecco area, you could take another via ferrata among those with a short approach, for example the Via Ferrata of the Morcate Tunnel or the most difficult Ferrata to the Corno del Medale.
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Vincenzo
12/10/2020 at 09:20Ferrata moderatamente difficile, qualche tratto un po delicato in discesa.
Roberto Librio
23/07/2019 at 17:40Done 23-06-2019 as a return to the Pesciola via ferrata. From the Pesciola gourd to the Minonzio, if it is done as a return, it is necessary to go through an aided uphill section first and then a beautiful, aerial and panoramic ridge trail, absolutely worth seeing. The Minonzio, made as a return, contains several downhill sections, has no particularly difficult points, although it is not advisable to do so unless you have some experience with the fixed-rope routes or the exposed trails, because in the downhill sections the difficulties may seem greater. At the end of the via ferrata I found a long path, at times aided with a metal cable, sometimes not, and in some parts, especially at the end, I had some doubts that I had followed the right route, in my opinion some more yellow signal not to hurt . On Wikiloc I recorded the track for those who wanted to follow it.
federicagaldelli
23/06/2019 at 20:41made on 6/23/19. a bit long approaching but it's really worth it ... fantastic, dolomitic landscapes. rightly aided.
Filippo Rosi
16/04/2019 at 11:05Done downhill after the Ferrata allo Zucco Pesciola. Beautiful context. Ferrata that is aerial above all if traveled downhill. Not difficult and full of holds and supports. Found some snow on the way back but nothing difficult.