Via Ferrata Rocca Candelera

Introduction:

The new Ferrata di Rocca Candelera extends into a rocky spur in the Lanzo Valleys. This prominence rises above the forest steeply over the village of Piazzette. The environment is wild, vertical with a suspension bridge and some overhanging sections.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the town of Usseggio in the province of Turin. Park just before the village near a quarry. Pay attention to a sign visible along the road

Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

From the parking area we notice a showcase. Follow the path next to some stone walls. You continue on the path until you reach a crossroads: on the right you see the descending path; we keep the left to the via ferrata. You continue uphill on a perfectly marked path. Continue on steeply uphill un til you reach a sign of beginning of Ferrata di Rocca Candelera (40' from the parking).

Via Ferrata:

The first section of the ferrata can be misleading. You climb some easy rocky jumps, supported walls with brackets where the climb requires them. You follow a connecting path while we gain altitude on the valley below. We proceed meeting a couple of short walls of about 20 meters each that, without particular difficulties are climbed on excellt granite rock. We follow now a connecting path some minutes with just a single climbing part up to reach the beginning of the second section of the route.

The second part of the route will be no doubt more vertical and chellenging. We begin climbing a leaned slab without brackets prior to reach the long wall which characterize this via ferrata. After the slab and a short side move, we begin climbing vertical for at least 30-40 meters. The climb is not technically difficult given the many brackets despite few passages are overhanging and exposure increases along the route. We move gradually to the right along a wonderful edge and we continue the climb before reaching a traverse to the left. We follow it and after few meters we are on a terrace. We climb a nice pulpit without brackets and we reach the suspension bridge.

The suspended bridge is with 3 wires and rather stable. We end the bridge and we traverse diagonally to the left coming under a long grey wall where is clearly visible a long series of metal brackets. We follow the first 20 vertical meters then moving to the right over a rock blade, We traverse then continue vertical in great exposure towarda a rocky roof. We go around it On the right side and we are in a connecting path where it is possible to enjoy the view and take a breath.

Then we reach a a short wall which leads us to an edge. We go around it to the left and we proceed a dihedral soon in sight of the end of the route. We proceed on a short slab, then a strench on grass then the last leaned slab . Then you arrive at the wooden cross of Rocca Candelera (ca 2h 30' fromr the beginning of the ferrata - ca 3h total).

Descent:

After we enjoyed the view on the closed peaks, from the top we turn right along a ridge path until a sign marking the descend path. You folloe the steep path with traverses on slippery grassYou follow the signs on the trees. As you descend the path becomes easier and leads us back to the crossroad of the approach (1h from the end of the route - ca 4h 30' total).

Notes:

The Rocca Candelera ferrata, like many ferratas in Piedmont, uses metal brackets and equipment in abundance. This greatly reduces the degree of difficulty of the route, making it passable even for hikers not particularly experienced in climbing techniques. Attention should be paid to some overhanging sections.

For more info on the via ferrata, here the flyer of the Municipality of Usseglio. E' esplicitamente vietato scendere dalla via ferrata.

Opportunities:

The Ferrata della Rocca Candelera is the first ferrata in the Lanzo Valleys. To combine another via ferrata on the same day, it is necessary to leave early, given the length of this via ferrata and opt for one of the nearest via ferratas, however, about an hour's drive: the Ferrata di Pont Canavese, the Rocca Bianca Ferrata or the Ferrata Carlo Giorda.