Via Ferrata at Orrido di Chianocco

Introduction:

The Ferrata dell'Orrido di Chianocco extends along the gorge formed by the Prebec stream near Chianocco in Val di Susa. The via ferrata is not particularly difficult, except for a couple of exposed and slightly overhanging walls. It is very interesting from a landscape point of view going up a characteristic gorge.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the hamlet of Chianocco, in the municipality of Bussoleno in the province of Turin. Once in Chianocco, look for parking near the church.

Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

From the car park, go up the path with white red signs that leads to the gorge of the Prebec stream. Go up a dense forest and make a couple of fords not difficult that make us reach the first iron sections (15 'from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

The first sections are preparatory to the subsequent via ferrata. A short rocky leap with rope and steps so as to reach the real start of the Ferrata dell'Orrido di Chianocco.

In this way a first horizontal traverse is quite comfortable for the feet. It starts diagonally with a crossbar with supports for the feet that keep us suspended just above the stream. We pass a ravine and go up a corner and we find ourselves on a sloping ramp that soon leads us to the suspension bridge. The bridge is not particularly long and the rope for the feet is double, therefore quite stable. On the opposite side we begin a traverse with the help of some brackets. We then reach a slightly overhanging vertical wall near a fracture with many brackets that makes us quickly gain altitude and exposure. We continue now in a long downhill sloping traverse that takes us past a dam on the stream. We go around a small osco and we climb an aided path up to the end of the ferrata (45 'from the start - 1h total).

Descent:

Follow the well-marked paths (red and white signs) which in about 20 minutes take you to the village and then to the car park (approximately 2 hours total including any stops).

Notes:

The Ferrata is not technically difficult although a couple of walls have slightly overhanging sections, therefore more tiring for the arms. Attention also to the flow of the river, although you are never too close to the stream except in the initial stretch.

Opportunities:

The Ferrata dell'Orrido di Chianocco can easily be linked with one of the others via ferratas present in the Val di Susa. Among these, the closest are the Via Ferrata Ruceia, the Ferrata Carlo Giorda, the Ferrata della Rocca Bianca towards Turin, or going further up the valley, you can do the Ferrata of the Orrido of Foresto, the ferratas of Claviere (la Ferrata Rocca Clarì, the Military Ferrata or the Via Ferrata Batteria Bassa), the Via Ferrata of Rouas and the Ferrata Gorge of the Dora.