Via Ferrata of Somator

Introduction:

The Ferrata del Somator is a pleasant ring route to Monte Bielsa in the Gardesan Prealps between Rovereto and Riva del Garda. The itinerary is easy and there are some rather elementary rocky outcrops where brackets have been inserted and changed to help hikers. Ideal as a via ferrata for families.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the parking lot of the Ristorante Pizzeria La Baita located between Ronzo-Chienis and Castellano in the province of Trento. Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

From the car park at the Baita we follow the CAI 671 signs on an asphalt road heading east. We climb on a modest slope and ignore the first fork to the left for the Equipped Path of the Laste with trail 671 - this will be our return path. In short, we quickly reach a series of tracks that come off to the right. If you want to reach the Malga Somator Refuge, take the 642 trail that reaches the refuge. This choice is optional. The first traces that come off to the right they rise more steeply and after a few minutes they join the path 673 from which the Path of the Somator actually begins (30 'from the car).

Via Ferrata:

The path always remains rather easy with some stretches where it is narrows and becomes equipped as well as a couple of easy vertical leaps and a groove. After these equipped sections continue on the path now in view of the Monte Biaena with a beautiful view of the nearby lake (1617 m - 1h 30 'from the car).

Descent:

For the return we descend on the east side following the track 671. After about 10 minutes we meet a fork, to the left we come off the path 678 which we ignore. We continue in the woods with some easy ones aided section until you reach a cart track and then the junction encountered on the outward journey. Return back to the car (approx. 2h 30 'total).

Notes:

Although it is known as the Ferrata del Somator, the ascent to Monte Biaena is an easy itinerary suitable for beginners and families.

Opportunities:

The areas of Lake Garda it is full of similarly aided routes both in terms of type and difficulty. We report the Rio Sallagoni Ferrata to Casteldrena, the Via Ferrata Colodri and Sentiero delle Cavre. Along the western side of Lake Garda you can walk along the Ferrata Susatti at Cima Capi and the Via Ferrata at Cima Sat. For a higher level of difficulty you can walk the Via Ferrata Marangoni in Mori. In Val d'Adige it is also possible to walk along the Via Ferrata Rio Secco near Cadino. Moving to the north we will be able to follow the Ferrata to the Rio Ruzza waterfall or the Ferrata Artpinistica in Preore.