Aided path of Val Sorda

Introduction:

The Aided path of the Val Sorda is a very scenic itinerary that extends along a narrow gorge generated by the Rio Mondrago stream in the province of Verona. The path does not present any particular technical difficulties but takes place in a humid environment with a often slippery surface so be careful. The itinerary is ideal for beginners and people with little experience of aided routes.

Starting location:

The starting point of the itinerary is near Fumane in the province of Verona. From Fumane you go up the Val di Fumane ignoring the first detour to Molina, continuing past the village of Ca de Gottolo until you reach a pink bar before a curve to the left. On the right side of the road there is an open space where you can park and near the bend there is a sign with various indications for the itineraries in the area.
Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

From the sign near the curve, follow the signs for Val Sorda following the CAI 238 which shortly after reaches a first saddle. On the left, in fact, there is a path in the direction of Molina which could be one of the return options. We follow straight following the signs of 238 in the direction of Mondrago and Val Sorda EE. We will then pass on an easy iron bridge beyond which we immediately meet a new saddle: if we climb straight into the woods we go towards the Tibetan Bridge and Covoli di Marano. This is also an option for return. We instead continue to the left towards the Molin de Cao which we will reach in a few minutes.

After the Molino we meet the last saddle before the start of the aided path. On the left a path continues towards the Grotta di Campora. We ignore this crossroads and continue straight along the Rio Mondrago to the beginning of the Aided path of the Val Sorda (15 'from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

The aided path extends along the Rio Mondrago gorge. The gully at times is wide at times narrow and narrow but the characteristic that will accompany us along the whole journey is the slipperiness of the ground and the characteristic shadow of the gorges. We start continuing on the orographic right side of the stream on quite slippery rocks and then pass on the opposite side and meet some ropes with which we go up a few rocky steps. As we approach a beautiful waterfall the trail narrows and we will continue on a narrow aided ledge that leads us to a metal staircase. We go up the ladder and make a short traverse to reach a bridge with which we cross the river. We are now entering a narrow stretch with the sky almost completely covered. We will continue almost always on level ground but aided for the slipperiness of the bottom. We cross a couple of bridges, we reach a second waterfall and some steps that allow us to go up some treacherous stretches otherwise.

After the stairs the path widens slightly and we pass near some rapids before passing an iron bar that acts as a bridge. As we proceed the panorama of the gorge is wonderful and deserves to stop and be observed in several places. We go down a ladder with alternate pegs until we reach the most characteristic section of the road (45 'from the start). The Rio flows into a cave where the path runs at the level of the torrent going up again on the opposite side on a narrow and narrow hole with ropes and brackets that help us to get out of it. This stretch is practicable in the summer and autumn months while it could be difficult in the winter and spring months due to the flow of the stream. In these months you go along a simpler variant to the right of the cave that climbs up the boulders and with the help of a bridge rejoins with the exit from the cave. We continue on the path that soon ends the most arduous aided part (1h from the start) which coincides with the marked junction for Malga Biancari.

The Aided path of the Val Sorda continues straight ahead along very interesting panoramas, although less with less difficult stretches than the previous ones. There are still aided sections where the ground is not stable but in general it can be said that the technical difficulties are almost absent. The aided path ends when we graft onto a cart track (1h 40 'from the start - 2h total).

Descent:

At this point we have 3 options to return to the parking:

• the fastest return is via the Aided path of Val Sorda backwards (1h 30 'from the end of the aided route - 3h 30' total).
• the longest option for the return is to follow the cart track in the direction of Mondrago and, before reaching the town, take the CAI 252 path on the left which leads to Spiazzo Sant'Anna with a short stretch along the road (45 ') from the end of the aided path). From Spiazzo we will notice the Sentiero CAI 252 with indications for Molina. We will reach a marked junction after 20 minutes from Spiazzo which indicates the Vajo delle Scalucce which we follow until we descend into this new gorge that we follow following the signs for Molin de Cao until we reach again the tract covered by the approach. From there back to the parking lot (2h from the end of the aided path - 4h total).
• since 2012 a suspension bridge has been built which passes the gorge about 50 meters above the stream that we have noticed passing over it during the aided path. From the end of the aided path, when we reach the cart track, we continue to Mondrago, entering the village. We will follow the signs of the CAI path 231. The path runs along the road and leads us to Malga Biancari from where we follow the obvious signs that will lead us to the suspension bridge keeping the right at a signposted junction. We cross the stream and descend from the opposite slope until we reach Molin de Cao (1h 45 'from the end of the aided path - 4h total).

Notes:

Given the slippery bottom, hiking sticks are absolutely recommended to help maintain balance in places where the bottom is precarious. Attention should also be paid to appropriately considering the flow of the stream which, in periods of heavy rainfall or following the melting of snow in spring, could be consistent. The route does not in itself present significant technical difficulties and can be considered an excellent itinerary to approach this type of trip.

Opportunities:

For those who particularly appreciate the type of aided routes in gorges and ravines, besides the described itinerary of the Val Sorda, a relatively close distance there are also the Ferrata del Burrone Giovanelli or the Rio Sallagon ferrataboth in the province of Trento.

If instead you want to continue with via ferrata in the area, you could opt for the Via Ferrata Taccole at Monte Baldo (binding) or exposureed Via Ferrata Gerardo Sega. On the western side of Lake Garda, even the easiest ones develop Ferrata di Cima Sat and Ferrata di Cima Capi.