Ferrata Balze del Malpasso

Overview

The Ferrata delle Balze del Malpasso is an easy-level route that unfolds across a limestone wall overlooking the Dolo River, set in the rolling hills of the Reggiano Apennines. The route features Tibetan bridges and waterfalls, and stays at low elevations, making it a poor choice during the hottest hours of summer. The terrain is typical sedimentary rock, with walls polished smooth by river erosion, giving rise to well-defined ledges and gullies.

Approach

The starting point is the hamlet of Castagnola, in the municipality of Toano (RE), near the village of Quara. Park in the small lot by the chapel or along the access road to the settlement. From here, the approach to Castel Pizzigolo begins: descend along the dirt road following the CAI 613 trail, then at the junction take the 613 Bis variant heading toward the castle. In a few minutes you reach the Quara springs. Just before a picnic area, near the archaeological site, a right-hand turn (marked for the ferrata) drops steeply until the route's first Tibetan bridge comes into view. Watch out for the slippery ground immediately before the bridge. The approach from the parking area takes about 30 minutes along a trail that alternates downhill sections with short ups and downs, gradually immersing you in the gully.

Via Ferrata

The route begins by crossing a Tibetan bridge roughly 50 meters long, with a wooden plank deck. Once across, climb up a well-equipped sloping wall with metal steps and stirrups, then tackle a short 8-meter descent on an equipped face. At a fork, two options present themselves.

The right-hand branch leads to two zip lines (tyrolienne) that cross the canyon. For safe use, it is absolutely necessary to use a high-performance pulley (e.g., PETZL Tandem Speed or CT Duetto); using standard pulleys carries a high risk of stopping mid-cable. The crossing involves descending in one direction and returning to just below the starting platform.

Continuing on the main route, take the left at the fork, descending a steep trail toward the second Tibetan bridge, shorter than the first. Once across, follow a comfortable ledge to the right that leads to a short vertical and slightly overhanging section, made secure by an abundance of handholds and stirrups. Beyond this passage, continue along another ledge to a decisive new fork.

At this point, the easy route continues along the ledge, then climbs a gentle sloping wall superbly equipped with stirrups, finishing the ferrata in just over 5 minutes. This section maintains a steady, low-exposure pace, suitable for a progressive approach.

The expert route, on the other hand, veers to the right following a series of rungs that lead to a 15-meter vertical wall. This is the crux of the entire route: despite the abundant equipment of rungs and stirrups, the rock is particularly smooth, and at one specific point demands a determined effort of arm strength and solid athletic endurance. Once past this section, you reach the end of the ferrata in just a few meters. The travel time from the start of the first bridge is about 30 minutes, but the pace can vary significantly depending on the choice of final route, with the expert route introducing a sharp jump in technical and physical difficulty concentrated in a few vertical meters.

Descent

From the end of the via ferrata, you quickly reach the picnic area already encountered on the approach. From here, return via the same CAI trail to the Castagnola parking area. The descent takes about 30 minutes from the end of the ferrata, retracing the trail in a gentle uphill direction.

Useful Notes

The limestone rock in this area is often slippery, especially along the ledges, making wearing a helmet essential for protection against potential rockfall. Just after the first Tibetan bridge, a side trail allows you to descend to the bed of the Dolo River, a popular spot for a refreshing swim during summer.

An interesting variant starts from the ledge at the fork between the easy and expert routes. Following the ledge to the right on an easy equipped section, you quickly reach a steep trail that descends to the Ancient Quara springs. From there, you can return to Castagnola following a cart track and the Sentiero Matilde, completing a loop itinerary.

Nearby, reachable by car, are other interesting ferratas such as the Ferrata degli Alpini alla Pietra di Bismantova, the Ferrata Ovest dell'Ultimo Sole, the Ferrata Monte Penna, and the Ferrata Barranco del Dolo, all doable in the same day.