Aided path Vidi

Introduction:

The Aided path Vidi is a beautiful itinerary that extends from the Grosté Pass around Pietra Grande and the Orti della Regina. The path does not present technical difficulties worthy of note but it is exposed and requires a steady step during the trip. The view is wonderful and the tour extends in one of the less frequented areas of the Brenta Dolomites.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the mountain station of the cable car that connects Madonna di Campiglio with the Rifugio Stoppani al Grostè. Once in Madonna di Campiglio we continue from the center of the village towards Folgarida until we notice the large parking lot on the left for the cable cars.

Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

It is possible to go up to Rifugio Stoppani also through the CAI 301 path that from the pass goes back up to the hut, filling the 800 meters of altitude difference in a couple of hours at a good pace without excessive slope or difficulty.

From the mountain station of the Grosté cable car we follow the abundant signs CAI 390 with which we set off towards the impressive profile of the Pietra Grande climbing up a well marked path. After having met the first red sign, we officially enter the Aided path Vidi (20 'from the top station of the cable car).

Via Ferrata:

We go up some easy rocks and we continue on a steep and quite gravelly path with which we reach a wide characteristic ledge where we meet a metal slab with dedication of the path. We continue northward away from the mountain station of the cable car and the Stoppani hut (30 'from the start - 50' from the top station of the cable car). We turn slightly to the left and in short we start a ridge path with the first metal equipment with which to pass a narrowing of the ridge. The path continues with some unprotected rocks and then on a gravel uphill path up to a first aided stretch where we go up a narrow slit. We continue in the trail going around the massif identifying the Graffer Hut below where we will arrive at the end of the hike. This trait is quite exposed and unprotected. The ice ax can be useful in the earlier part of the season or the hiking sticks in late season.

We cover a ledge until we reach a pair of stairs to go up again near a singular rocky bridge. Carrying on on the path we come to one new stair, this time to go downhill to which follows a ravine to go downhill without any particular difficulties. We continue the path on the ledge reaching a roof under which there is a Park bench with dedication to Christmas Vidi.

Now we begin the steep descent path that leads us to the crossroads with Sentiero Costanzi CAI 336 (1h 30 'from the start - 2h from the top station of the cable car) that leads to Bocchetta Tre Sassi. At that junction we keep the right and we go down to the Graffer Hut already visible below us (45 'from the junction with the Costanzi Path - 3h total).

Descent:

From the Graffer hut at this point we will have two itineraries to complete the trip:

1. We continue uphill towards the Passo di Grosté and the Rifugio Stoppani (30 'from Graffer - 1h from the end of the aided path Vidi - 3h 30' total) where we will take the cableway back to Campo Carlo Magno, or
2. we go down from the Rifugio Graffer to the Rifugio Boch (2075 m -30 'from the Graffer - 1h from the end of the aided Path Vidi - 3h 30' total) where there is the intermediate station of the cable car and we go down by cable car or continuing along the path downhill which will take us to Campo Carlo Magno (5h total).

Notes:

The Rifugio Stoppani at Passo del Grosté offers no opportunity to stay overnight while the Graffer Hut offers the possibility. Some passages, even not aided, may require the use of crampons even in late season so it is best to be prepared with all the necessary equipment. However, this is a precaution that should be taken throughout the Brenta area.

The last note is on the difficulty level. The via ferrata is to be classified as easy because all the aided sections do not present difficulties from a technical or physical point of view. It should be specified, however, that large sections of the ledge on which the route is developed are exposed and unprotected so they require a firm foot. This aspect must be taken into consideration by those who decide to follow the itinerary.

Opportunities:

The Vidi Aided path is an itinerary that is often followed as a continuation of the Costanzi Monteaineering Path or of the Via Ferrata of the Val Gelada (of which it is a trait) or as a return from the first section of the Aided path of the Palete. All these are itineraries that from the Passo di Grostè proceed northwards. Other interesting opportunities are to combine this itinerary with the Via Ferrata Benini which is the continuation of the Ferrata delle Bocchette Alte. In these cases, given the length of the approaches and complete itineraries, it is suggested to stay overnight in the hut.

Further info:

• Looking for an Alpine Guide to climb this route? We have selected some Guides specialized in Vie Ferrate, click here.
• Are you at the first experience in Via Ferrata? Read ours Complete Guide to Via Ferratas.
• Join our community on Facebook: the Official Ferrate365 page and Group to find climb partners.
• Looking for a foothold in Madonna di Campiglio? From our direct experience, we recommend Hotel Alpina in Madonna di Campiglio for the position and the service. Together with the hotel owners, we have come up with a solution that allows you to have a base even if you then go up to the top and spend the night in the shelters:
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