Aided path of the Stradini

Introduction:

The Aided path of the Stradini (literally "Aided path of the Road Workers") is a beautiful itinerary that extends on the east and south sides of the Zucco Pesciola connecting the Piani di Artavaggio to the Piani di Bobbio. The path is suitable for beginners of the aided paths presenting low vertical and moderate exposure. The view that you can admire is very beautiful. It can be easily linked with two via ferratas that start from the Piani di Bobbio.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is the top station of the cable car to the Piani d'Artavaggio in the province of Lecco. From Lecco continue in Val Sassino, cross Ballabio and after the hamlet of Balisio take the right with the directions for the cable car up to Moggio. Once at the car park, go up in 10 minutes.

Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

Once at the top station of the cable car (1650 m) follow the wide path that goes uphill towards the Cazzaniga and Nicola Huts. After a short while continue in the direction of Malga Campelli where the clear indications will indicate us to reach the Bocchetta del Faggio (1839 m) from where the Stradini Aided path begins (45 'from the cable car station).

Via Ferrata:

Starting from the Bocchetta del Faggio we have a clear route ahead of us. It is a path that cuts along the hillside on a nice southern and eastern face of the Zucco Pesciola. We proceed along the trail and, near a slightly exposed ledge , we meet the first metal equipment. Go along the exposed ledge without any problem and proceed along the path. The path continues between modest up and down until it reaches the second aided stretch that will help us to get around an edge, descend the opposite side, secured by the ropes to reach over a canal. Continuing along the path we come to a grassy ledge that we will ride with the rope as a handrail up to a short ladder that allows us to go up a little more than a meter.

We continue along the trail slightly downhill path by going around a side of the mountain and continuing in the direction of an edge assisted by a rope with which we will continue by going round it. We now continue along the path the slightly uphill, passing alongside the detour for the start on the Ferrata of Zucco Pesciola, and in a few minutes we reach the Lecco shelter, destination of our path (2h from Bocchetta del Faggio - 2h 45 'total).

Descent:

If you do not want a circular route, you could return to the Piani d'Artavaggio for the same itinerary of ascending backwards.

If, on the other hand, you want to make a loop tour and from the Lecco hut return to the Piani d'Artavaggio, the recommended return is to go up towards the Valle dei Megoff with path 16 to the Bocchetta dei Mughi (2020 m). From the Bocchetta descend along the path 101 "Anello dei Campelli" in exposed stretches between ups and downs in valleys and steep canals to the Rifugio Cazzaniga and then follow the signs that lead to the Piani d'Artavaggio (3h from the end of the Path Aided to the Hut Lecco - 5h 45 'total).

Notes:

The Aided path of the Stradini is passable in both directions and therefore could be easily traveled even starting from Piani di Bobbio in the direction of Piani d'Artavaggio.

The path does not present stretches of considerable difficulty, it is exposed and with a beautiful panorama. It can be considered a great start for beginners to become aware of this type of route.

Opportunities:

The Aided path of the Stradini is an interesting possible approach to the Ferrata Mario Minonzio or for the Ferrata Zucco Pesciola that develop above the Piani di Bobbio. In this case, once you reach the Lecco shelter, you will continue towards the Vallone dei Camosci, while for the Via Ferrata of Zucco Pesciola follow the signs along the path before the Bocchetta di Pesciola.

As this itinerary is long in all the options you choose, it becomes difficult to link another route other than the two indicated above. If you want to fit another ferrata you could consider the short one Via Ferrata of the Morcate Tunnel or the two ferratas in Valchiavenna: la Ferrata Succetti or the Via Ferrata Biasini.