The Cinque Cime Via Ferrata traverses the entire ridge above the Road of the 52 Tunnels between Bocchetta Campiglia and Porte del Pasubio. It constantly straddles the Val Leogra and Val Posina. It is a well-equipped route that is not difficult, but rather long, featuring several fixed ropes and a ladder. Therefore, it requires a certain experience with via ferratas and is not suitable for everyone.
Once at the start of the route, one encounters the first sections of metal rope and iron steps. Then, one reaches a vertical chimney about ten meters high, between two walls surrounded by dense vegetation. After overcoming this (using the metal rope), a good stretch of grassy ridge is traversed, interrupted here and there by some boulders; then, descents lead to a saddle just above the 10th tunnel.
After the saddle, a short ledge traverses the wall overlooking the exit of the 10th tunnel and leads to a small grassy ridge where the old path to the Forcella del "Bovolo" is again highlighted, which overlooks the eponymous spire.
One then continues toward the latter, staying just to the left of the grassy ridge that ends at a rock formation. After passing this (metal equipment), one reaches the start of the "Bovolo".
One climbs up the iron ladder, beyond which one traverses to the right on a small ledge carved into the overhang of the spire (steel rope and iron handles); a vertical chimney is then overcome, followed by a ledge densely covered with dwarf pines, which one must navigate around to encounter a steep gravel slope that once was part of the old route. The trail then resumes upwards toward Bella Laita (1881 meters).
After a long stretch of ridge covered with vegetation, one arrives just below Cima Cuaro, whose summit is reached after traversing several rocky ridges.
From Cima Cuaro (1939 meters), one descends along a rocky wall (metal ropes) interrupted by several ledges down to the Forcella Camozzara (1875 meters), which originates the eponymous valley to the south and which separates it from Canevon di Campiglia to the north. One then decisively attacks the Southeast spur of Cima Forni Alti to traverse a series of passages along the solid limestone formations of the ridge (steel rope and step up to the peak), from which one arrives at a saddle and, subsequently, to 2023 meters at Cima Forni Alti.
From there, one descends along the northwest spur via a steep but easy path that descends after bypassing two peaks through two tunnels existing at their base until reaching Passo di Fontana d’Oro. After the pass, the ridge and path continue northwestward on a gently undulating and easy route, occasionally interrupted by some rocky sections that are easily navigable with the help of the metal rope.
By ascending a steep grassy slope (where a clear trail is visible), one reaches Cimon del Soglio Rosso (2040 meters), the penultimate peak and the highest point from which, traversing an easy ridge, one arrives at Cima dell’Osservatorio (2027 meters), a scenic observation point from which one can comfortably descend to the Porte del Pasubio and rifugio A. Papa (1928 meters).
How to get there:
Drive to Passo Pian delle Fugazze, continue to the locality of Ponte Verde. At that point, turn right and proceed to Bocchetta Campiglia (1219 meters). From there, keep to the right of the entrance portal to the Road of the 52 Tunnels, ascending via the trail through beech trees until reaching the first rocky formations of the ridge.
For all information and to download the map/gpx track click here.
