Ferrata Batteria Bassa

Overview

The Ferrata della Batteria Bassa is a compact, well-equipped route, perfect for a first taste of the via ferrata experience. The trail runs along the Italian-French border in the upper Susa Valley, winding through the ruins of historic military positions. Its moderate difficulty is paired with the thrill of exploration: some of the partially collapsed wartime structures can be inspected from the inside with a light source. This route forms the initial section of the more challenging itinerary known as the Ferrata dello Chaberton, offering an accessible preview.

Approach

The logical starting point is the ticket office for the Tibetan bridge in Claviere, in the province of Turin. For the full access route, from the nearby trail near the Chapel of San Gervasio, descend toward the Piccola Dora stream, following it on the left bank, ignoring the turnoff onto the bridge for the Ferrata di Rocca Clarì. The start of the via ferrata can be reached via this approach in about thirty minutes of walking. A shorter variant allows you to skip the first section: from the parking lot, walk two hundred meters along the main road toward the tunnel, then turn right onto the old Monginevro road. At a curve, on the left side, you'll spot the entrance to a pedestrian tunnel. Go through it (about thirty meters) and, with a short traverse to the right, rejoin the main route. This reduced access takes about fifteen minutes.

Via Ferrata

The equipped route begins with an ascent up a gully located beneath the viaduct of the old main road. The progression is pleasant, on solid, reliable rock, alternating between climbable slabs and sections of steep terrain; it's advisable to make use of the many natural holds for a smoother ascent. After joining the access variant, you gain elevation quickly, passing the viaduct and leaving the view of the starting roundabout behind. The route unfolds with a varied rhythm, fluidly alternating easy traverses, well-defined ledges, short vertical steps, and sections of equipped face, all on compact, high-quality rock. Two passages are particularly distinctive: a chimney that requires a stemming ascent and a passage under a fissure with a pronounced shape. After a final stretch on a trail, you arrive at the ruins of the military buildings of the Batteria Bassa, located at an elevation of 1910 m. The time for the via ferrata alone is about one hour and thirty minutes, for a total of two hours from the start of the hike.

Terrain reading and route rhythm The via ferrata develops mainly on a rocky slope shaped by glacial and fluvial erosion, presenting a complex morphology of ledges, gullies, and short walls. The rock, of a calcareous-marmoreal type, offers excellent grip and solidity. The rhythm of the route is discontinuous, played out in constant ups and downs, with exposed but not extreme passages alternating with restful sections on ledges or trail. The general character is that of a predominantly horizontal, traversing route, more technical than physically demanding, with a strong historical and scenic appeal that tempers the alpine commitment.

Descent

From the ruins of the battery, the return is made along a comfortable forest road, which leads back to the old Monginevro road and, consequently, to the initial parking lot near the ticket office for the Tibetan bridge in Claviere. This descent section takes about thirty minutes of walking.

Useful Notes

At the ticket office for the Tibetan bridge in Claviere, you can rent complete via ferrata equipment (harness, helmet, via ferrata set). The Ferrata della Batteria Bassa represents the first sector of the itinerary that, continuing on, leads to the summit of Monte Chaberton via the Via della Cresta Mario Perona, a long route with considerable elevation gain, completed in 2018. This via ferrata lends itself well to being combined with other equipped routes in the Claviere area, such as the more challenging Ferrata di Rocca Clarì or the Ferrata del Bunker. More broadly, the upper Susa Valley offers a wide selection of itineraries, including the ferratas of the Orrido di Foresto, the Orrido di Chianocco, the Ruceia, the Rouas, and, noted since 2024, the Ferrata delle Cascate di Novalesa.