Via Ferrata of Rouas

Introduction:

La Ferrata del Rouas is a recent ferrata in the upper Val di Susa on the border with France. It is an athletic via ferrata with a difficult and demanding variant. In the simple itinerary it is suitable for beginners with equipment in excellent condition.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the hamlet of Melezet in the municipality of Bardonecchia in the province of Turin. You reach and cross the town of Melezet, continue along the SP216 for 300 meters where you will notice a parabola of a repeater and a little further you park and you see the poster of the ferrata. Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

From the parking area follow a short path leading us in less than 5 minutes to the wall where there is the beginning of the via ferrata named after Bompard and Perona. This map of the route show the itinerary at this link.

Via Ferrata:

The Ferrata consists of 3 sections that are not necessarily linked:

• Sector A coincides in the first section with a section that is also common with sector B. The first section goes up a couple of sloping walls and rocky crags where the cambras abound. The first slab ends and you turn left on a traverse that goes around an impressive rocky ledge and, after few short walls, we reach a crossroads where you proceed vertically along the B route (Balma del Camoscio) or end the horizontal stretch to the left. Leaving aside the deviation for sector B (read below), climb three vertical walls with brackets never too difficult, however, in increasing exposure with some traverse across . Attention in a stretch not to have a very bulky backpack, in which case a return to which to attach the backpack during the short stretch may be useful. You then reach the shoulder where the descent path from the B stretch is inserted from the right and on the left the escape. Continuing, you will face a long oblique traverse with some uphill tracts, thus reaching the cave (Tract C). Ignoring the detour the deviation for the cave, continue along the traverse to the suspended bridge, the cross from where begins the descent section with a series of traverses and short aided walls from brackets. The route proceed for few minutes, never difficult, until the end of the ferrata (2h from the start ignoring the 2 deviations - 2h 5 'total).
• Sector B from crossroads goes up vertically a first stretch and then a long stretch in traverse it with holds for the hands and feet. Go up another challenging vertical section and finally face the overhanging stretch (key passage). An overhanging wall of about 6 meters perfectly bracketed, which however tends to push very hard, thus throwing it out, putting a strain on the arms (a quick draw is useful). Continue along a lightly descending traverse where you need to pay attention to your feet. We continue facing a back and a couple of small cliffs and then finish on an easy ridge and reach the forest above Rouas where the section also ends (1h 15 'from the junction - 1h 45' from the start). From here follow the path that leads us to a meeting point with route A in which to continue the ferrata or descend to the valley (30 'from the start - 2h 15' total).
• Sector C is a short section where you go up a short wall facing a cave with a small suspended section and where you must down towards the continuation of Route A (10 'from the deviation).

Descent:

Terminato il tratto A si discende lungo l'evidente trail fino a una strada che percorreremo verso sinistra in direzione del parcheggio (15' dal termine della ferrata - 2h 20' totali se non percorsi i tratti B e C - 4h totali se percorsi i tratti A, B e C).

Notes:

The Ferrata del Rouas is a French styled ferrata. It is not a real peak, it is athletic (at least in its section B), very well aided. The itinerary is in itself amusing and suitable even for beginners (except the section B). The equipment is in excellent condition and recently built.

Opportunities:

The Ferrata del Rouas is located in the Susa Valley, an area rich in aided itineraries. In particular we point out the Claviere via ferratas (Ferrata Rocca Clarì, the Ferrata del Bunker and the Ferrata of the Batteria Bassa), the Ferrata Gorge of the Dora, the Ferrata dell'Orrido of Chianocco and the Ferrata of the Orrido of Foresto and the Via Ferrata Ruceia.