Via Ferrata Nasego

Introduction:

The Ferrata Nasego is a via ferrata that extends on 5 distinct sections and is of medium difficulty with some difficult sections. The ferrata is on average exposed and varies in its passages, alternating walls, traverses and ledges, stretches of the ridge with different levels of difficulty. The via ferrata is quite long but it has many points where you can catch your breath and take any breaks. The low altitude makes it practicable most of the year.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is near the town of Comero near Lodrino, Brescia. Past Casto along the provincial road you will notice on the right a road that goes back in the opposite direction to that from which we come. At this junction we will also notice the signs for the Rifugio Nasego. We go up this road to a crossroads where the hut is marked, we take to the right, we go around a church and we go up a road that is gradually shrinking. We continue a couple of kilometers on the road that at some point becomes a dirt road but in fair condition. We continue uphill, paying attention to any cars going downhill to where we will park near a clearing with a roof.

Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

From the parking lot we follow the directions for the ferrata which continue to the right (east) slightly uphill. We soon leave the forest and skirt the base of the Corna di Savallo. We continue until we meet the start of the equipment on our left (20 'from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

The Nasego Ferrata is divided into 5 distinct sections:

1. The first section begins with an inclined section in which the cable serves mainly as a balance, while the ascent is rather easy. Now let's face a small wall lying initially with the cable that zigzags in front of us and therefore we have to climb over it in a couple of circumstances. At this point we go back up a more vertical wall that extends on an unmarked edge. We arrive at a stretch where a plant helps us to rest our feet before bending to the right in a short traverse and then diagonally to the left. We continue vertically alternating sections to the right and left, gaining altitude and exposure. The last stretch of this vertical wall becomes lighter and we go up a few rocks to the left towards an edge beyond which there is a ledge. We cover the ledge and then a short stretch of aided path. At this point the equipment ends and following the track we take the grassy path towards the second stretch.
2. Going down the path we reach a rocky couloir that we cross near one of the most difficult passages in the via ferrata. We need to climb an 8-10 meter vertical wall with pegs but with a short overhanging section and a plant on the opposite side. If on one hand the plant will give us a support to support ourselves from, on the other we will have to bypass it in a difficult passage, in particular for people of short stature. After climbing the plant, the cable proceeds vertically exposed and with a good level of difficulty. At the top, this wall of about meters becomes richer in natural grips and therefore artificial pegs are reduced. We now come to a series of easier rocks and with this the second section ends.
3. We follow the path until we reach the third section. The third section has a characteristic beginning. Cross initially diagonally to the right and after a couple of meters in the opposite direction, also using some pegs for the feet. We now walk along a section of path aided without difficulty that brings us close to a gully beyond which we cross a traverse under an unmarked roof with a slight slope towards an edge. We go around the easy edge (paying attention to the head due to the presence of a roof) and we climb up some easy rocky jumps where it is possible to climb (always paying attention to the friability of the rock). At the end of this piece we set off towards the fourth section of the via ferrata.
4. The fourth section begins with a series of easy rocky leaps to climb and then bends to the left and face a traverse in slight overhang in which it is better not to delay for too long from the moment in which the arms are very stressed. Pass the traverse and the cable continues vertically in a short rocky fissure. We go up vertical now in some well-formed rocky jumps. This is a more physical and exposed trait than the previous ones. We are now in a saddle between two towers. We will continue in the one on the left. We will put it back and go to the opposite side. We will walk along a narrow earthy ledge that allows us to go around a gully and we find ourselves under an inclined earthy ramp. We go back up and we have to face a tear that is a bit physical to climb two meters in counter slope. After the first more difficult meters we continue on an easy traverse that goes around an edge and leads us to the end of the fourth section.
5. At this point we are moving towards an obvious rocky ledge that extends under a roof. We pay attention to the beginning of the path where we have to face a couple of vertical walls with few holds. We go up a couple of rocky leaps and walk along a stretch of diagonal aided ledge. We face a last vertical section beyond which we reach the summit with the large cross (3h from the start - 3h 20 'total).

Descent:

From the summit cross we continue straight to the west following the path trail. The path descends with a moderate gap until it crosses the escape route and then descends further to meet the Nasego Hut managed by volunteers. From the hut, go down to the car park following one of the possible routes. On the left you can opt for the more direct and steep while on the right the sweeter one goes down. Then we reach the parking lot without problems (45 'from the summit - 4h 15' total).

Notes:

The rock is often friable and therefore it is necessary to pay attention if you want to climb. In some sections it would be advisable not to fully rely on the rock alone. The via ferrata does not present particularly difficult stretches except for the wall with the plant and the overhanging traverse. The various sections into which the ferrata is divided have many sections in which to rest. Beware of a couple of connection paths that can be slippery in case of humidity after recent rains.

Pay attention to the last stretch where, if you continue along the ledge without noticing the equipment that goes up vertically, you will come to a saddle from which a ridge-aided path leads along the other peaks of the Corna di Savallo. At that point you could climb up the east ridge and reach the cross without having to take the last section of the ferrata.

Opportunities:

The Ferrata Nasego is an itinerary that, if undertaken early in the morning, allows you to be chained with another trip in the area. The natural candidate is to continue towards the Ferrate di Casto that develop from the opposite side of the valley behind us as we climb the Nasego. The neighbor Via Ferrata Caspai it could be traveled but it is long and tiring and the time available may not be sufficient. If you moved towards Lago di Idro you could evaluate the Ferrate Fregio and Ferrata delle Ginestre or the Via Ferrata Crench. If one wanted to follow an easy aided path, a good candidate is the Ferrata delle Cascate or the Aided path with the Sperone del Crocefisso.