Ferrata Crench

Overview

The Ferrata Crench is a moderately difficult equipped route that unfolds along a limestone spur with panoramic views over Lake Idro. The route is well-structured, alternating horizontal traverses along ledges with vertical, athletic sections that add variety to the climb without presenting major technical obstacles. Thanks to the short approach, modest elevation gain, and low altitude, it makes an ideal itinerary to combine in a single day with other via ferratas in the Lake Idro area.

Approach

Access starts from the village of Crone, on the eastern shore of Lake Idro. After passing through the village, within a few meters you'll spot a white house on the left; immediately after, on the right, a steep road called via Preonde begins. Follow this road uphill, curving left until you reach a large parking area already signposted for the via ferrata. From here, follow the signs for the CAI 452 trail, which heads left between the houses. The path continues through the woods to a junction: to the right, trail 452 climbs toward Cima Crench, while you continue straight (or left, depending on the signage) toward the climbing gym and the via ferrata. Ignore the turnoff for the crag and continue straight; shortly you'll reach the sign marking the start of the Ferrata Crench, reachable in about 15 minutes from the parking area.

Via Ferrata

The equipped route begins with a short ascending ledge to the right, leading to the base of one of the most intense sections of the entire climb. Here, a vertical wall of compact, well-fractured limestone offers excellent holds and enjoyable climbing; the final segment is slightly more demanding, and the steel cable can serve as a useful reference for balance. After overcoming this first vertical section, you turn left, climbing a succession of small rock steps up to a short dihedral, easy to ascend using holds on both sides. This is followed by an easy trail section that leads to a slightly descending ledge, where a metal sign marks an escape route. Continuing past the sign, the cable resumes climbing vertically up a well-holded slab that can be climbed freely. An easy traverse to the right brings you to the base of a second passage, more challenging than the route's average. A rocky bulge with high footholds requires a few meters of pulling on the cable for the initial moves; once past this start, the wall becomes climbable again and you can proceed without relying on the cable.

You traverse a ledge and find yourself below another short vertical section, where a metal stirrup aids the start. You then skirt a rocky roof to the left and make an easy traverse to a slab similar to the previous one, characterized by smooth rock and the presence of stirrups and a bulge in the upper part. After climbing this small slab, you tackle a few rock steps to reach the crux of the Ferrata Crench: a short overhang of a few meters where you must ascend a bulge. The difficulty is mitigated by a chain fixed to the left, which, though a bit loose, provides decisive support for overcoming the steepness and lack of natural holds, requiring some arm strength.

Once this section is completed, the most demanding parts are over. A short transfer ledge introduces the last two vertical walls, which present no particular difficulties and are easily climbed, using the cable only for balance on individual moves. The final segment of the route is an easy equipped trail that, along a ridge, leads to the summit cross of Cima Pelada at 631 meters. The climbing time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the start of the via ferrata, for a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes from the parking area.

Descent

From the summit cross, continue east along a trail that soon brings you near another cross. Continue on a small path until you reach a saddle. Here, a steep trail descends to the right, leading back near the start of the via ferrata; from here, return to the parking area via the same approach trail. The direct descent takes about 30 minutes from the summit, for a total of 2 hours from the start of the hike. During the return, you can visit a war tunnel, accessible from one side and passable to exit from the other.

For a longer loop, from the saddle you can continue along the ridge trail for about 30 minutes to reach the summit of Cima Crench (or Cocca d'Idro). From the summit, descend the opposite slope and, spotting a descending trail to the right, follow it to return near the parking area. This variant extends the route by about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the end of the via ferrata, bringing the total to about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Useful Notes

The rock on this limestone spur is quite unstable, making wearing a helmet mandatory for the entire duration of the route. The Ferrata Crench is rated as moderate difficulty: experienced via ferrata climbers will appreciate the opportunity to climb freely for most of the route, while well-trained hikers new to the activity will find a progressive introduction. The environmental challenges and exposure are indeed limited, and the few more demanding passages remain isolated, allowing you to easily recover your energy. Inaugurated in May 2007, the via ferrata uses the same spur on which a climbing crag has been established. Due to its short duration, the hike is ideally suited to be combined with other itineraries in the area, such as the Sentiero Attrezzato alle Cascate di Idro, the Ferrata Fregio, the Ferrata delle Ginestre, the Sentiero Attrezzato Sasse, or the short Ferrata al Forte di Cima Ora.