Aided Path Vergella

Introduction:

The Aided path of the Vergella is a variant of climb compared to the more beaten path that climbs from Lecco to the Chapel of the Madonna del Carmine under the Monte San Martino. The itinerary does not present sustained difficulties and makes it possible to go up a couple of more demanding rocky outcrops with the help of some chains. It is generally possible to follow the itinerary throughout the year, paying attention to the hot summer months.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the village of Rancio Alto above the city of Lecco. From Lecco take the road that leads us towards Ballabio up to an evident double hairpin bend in the middle of the houses. Near the second hairpin bend, we will notice that on the left a road continues straight and we take it (via Quarto). We continue about 200 meters until we see a paved road on the right near a clearing that rises steeply with a rusty white bar open. We take this steep climb. We will make a first hairpin bend to the left and we will reach a crossroads where we continue to the right uphill. We continue a couple of minutes until we reach a bar where we park.

Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

From the car park, continue along the cemented road to a bend in which we will continue straight on in a mule track (CAI 52). Continue on this path ignoring some saddles that come off to the right (for example, the crossroads for CAI 58 to the Ferrata del Medale). Continue straight on under the walls of Monte San Martino going up a few bends until you reach a saddle where a white sign shows you on the left the aided path of the Vergella (20 'from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

From the deviation follow the yellow signs that identify the route. We will arrive near the crag of the Placchette di San Martino. We will continue straight up to the start of the aided path. The aided path goes up a rocky couloir where the chain immediately extends vertically on a wall that is initially smoothed then with more holds that is easily ascended. In the upper part, cross to the left coming out of this groove on a beautiful panoramic terrace.

We continue the path until we reach a second vertical wall with the appearance of an unexpressed dihedral. We will attach it following the chain on the left side. We go up the wall and face a traverse to the left. Exit the wall and go up a few rocky steps to finish the equipment. Looking up, we begin to see the destination of our itinerary - the Chapel of the Madonna del Carmine. Continue through rocky jumps and non-challenging rocks, climb the last steep stretch of path and end the Aided path of the Vergella (1h from the start - approx. 1h 30 'from the parking lot).

Descent:

If our itinerary ends at the chapel, you can take the path to the right of the chapel that descends first into the woods, then between some rocky steps and finally under the walls of Monte San Martino until it rejoins with the path traveled to the outward and then to parking (45 'from the chapel - 2h 15' total).

However it could be continued along other routes, for example:

• to the right of the chapel take the Aided path Silvia and reach the summit of Monte San Martino (45 'from the chapel) to then evaluate whether to continue towards the Corno del Medale and descend along the Aided path of Medale or continue in the direction of the Coltiglione along the Aided path GER.
• Alternatively you could continue along the normal ascent path to the summit of Monte San Martino and then veer towards Rifugio Piazza and from there descend along the most difficult Aided Path Pizzetti.

Notes:

The Aided Rod Path does not present significant difficulties. There are two more vertical, suitably aided sections that will give the necessary safety to non-expert hikers while the expert ones will try to go up the two main sections without using the chain.

Opportunities:

The Aided Rod's Path could also be used downhill, paying attention after heavy rains or in the autumn months when the foliage makes some stretches slippery. An interesting alternative for experienced hikers is to climb the challenging route uphill Via Ferrata del Medale and go down the Silvia Aided path and then the Vergella Path.