Via Ferrata Piz da Lech

Introduction:

The difficult Piz de Lech via ferrata extends along a rocky rampart on the eastern slope of the Sella Group which rises to the summit of Piz de Lech. The approach is made very short by the ascent by cable car and chairlift up to 2530 m. The ferrata has some challenging points and is generally quite exposed. Wonderful panorama from the summit.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the top station of the cable car from Corvara - Val Badia, Bolzano - first up to the Crep de Mont and then to the Vallon (2537 m). Directions for Google Maps available here.

If you wanted to avoid the cable car you can reach the Campolungo Pass between Arabba (Belluno) and Corvara and from the car park near the Alberto Boè (1860 m) go up the wide path CAI 638 up to the mountain station of the chairlift (2537 m - 1h 15 'from the pass).

Approach:

I got off from chair lift ignore the indications for the normal route (646B) and follow the clear indications that in north direction lead us to a detrital valley where we turn to the left uphill until you reach the start of the via ferrata under one characteristic yellow-black rock face (2560 m - 15 'from the chairlift top station).

Via Ferrata:

The Ferrata del Piz da Lech starts with a medium-difficulty rocky leap that has no obvious grips and then proceeds with an easy ledge on the left beyond which we climb some rocky steps that are not difficult. We continue going round a corner on the left with a ledge beyond which we meet again some rocky leaps under thelooming rocky bastion characterized by black yellowish rocks. We climb vertically for a few meters and we approach a characteristic passage. We are atinside of a long gully where we will keep the right side of the canal going up some rocky steps. After a few meters the canal narrows and we have to go up fifteen meters vertically. We travel a short but exposed and challenging to the right with which we go around an edge before reaching a ledge.

Now let's go in the direction of a very demanding passage. We go up a chimney where the initial part rises up right side to then pass on the left side with a leap towards the left side. The initial part of this passage is complex due to the lack of support points which gradually increase over the upper section. We cover some exposed rocks reaching the most iconographic point of the itinerary. Under the rocky rampart they rise two stairs separated with a aerial passing over rock with the help of brackets. Finished the second ladder we go out in a challenging passage where some brackets help us to complete it.

We are in the final section of the ferrata. We go up some exposed rocks before climbing a ramp that leads us to a summit ridge. We walk a few meters with the equipment to our right beyond which we are on a path. After a few meters we meet again the rope which is the prelude to a short suspension bridge composed of a horizontal ladder over a narrow crevasse. The passage is short and exposed but not difficult. We climb a short well-gripped wall (even if generally damp) e after some rocks we are in the final section composed of a path at high altitude towards the summit cross. This section is not aided and requires attention although it is wide and not excessively exposed. Reached the summit (2916 m - 1h 45 'from the start -2h from the mountain station of the chairlift) of the Piz da Lech we have a magnificent view over the Sella Group, the Piz Boe, the Val de Mesdì and the Dolomite groups surrounding the Sella.

Descent:

From the peak we will descend in a southerly direction along the normal route which is marked by white-red signs of the CAI 646 along the screes of the southern slope. We will have to go down a couple of aided passages which consist of one vertical wall of about 6-8 meters aided with brackets on a brief series of rocks. For these two passages we advise you not to remove the harness at the end of the via ferrata.

We will reach a crossroads marked with CAI 646B:

• if we take it to the right we go down along a groove to reach the approach path from which we reach the chairlift of the outward journey (45 'from the summit - 2h 45' total) and with which we can return to the valley, or
• continue downhill staying on CAI 646 that will lead us along a ridge on the  Lake of Boè and of the mountain station of the Boe cable car (2198 m - 1h 15 'from the summit - 3h 15' total).

Notes:

The Ferrata al Piz de Lech is a short but intense via ferrata with a couple of athletic passes where you need a good starting point or a good climbing technique. It is not an extremely difficult via ferrata however it requires good preparation and experience. The summit ridge and the clearing around the ninth cross are too wide and must be tread carefully. Steep return. Equipment in excellent condition, recently renovated.

Opportunities:

The Ferrata al Piz del Lech extends in the southern slope of the Sella Group close to Via Ferrata of Vallon which, energies permitting, is ideal to combine if necessary staying at the Kostner Hut. In this case it is advisable to choose at the junction for the return route, returning close to the start proceeding in the direction of the glacial cirque where the Ferrata Vallon is located.

Alternatively, continuing along the hillside you can also reach the binding of the binding Ferrata Piazzetta that goes directly to the Piz Boè. Continuing on the northern and western side of the Sella Group we also meet the Ferrata Tridentina and the Via Ferrata of Mesules, both magnificent itineraries.

Going down to Corvara instead and going up the Val Badia we meet the Ferrata Sas dla Crusc and Sas dles Diesc, the Via Ferrata of Peace and Aided Path Tru Dolomieu.