Ferrata dei Picasass

Overview

The Picasass Via Ferrata is a modern and technically well-crafted route, developed entirely on a compact granite formation. The itinerary is characterized by a predominantly vertical and exposed progression, with its standout moments coming in two distinctive passages: a short but intense overhanging traverse around a sharp arête, followed by a long and thrilling three-cable Tibetan bridge to close the route. The quality of the rock, combined with recent installation, ensures a safe and highly satisfying climb, despite the undeniable emotional impact.

Approach

The starting point for the Picasass Via Ferrata is in Baveno, in the province of Verbania. Once you reach the town, head toward the Campeggio La Tranquilla campsite. Immediately behind it, Via alle Cave begins, where you can park along the road or on nearby Via Sesena. From here, take the paved uphill road of Via alle Cave, spotting the first white-and-red trail markers and an information sign dedicated to the via ferrata. The route, initially paved and then dirt, passes under the highway overpass and continues to a well-marked junction. Turn right following the signs for the via ferrata, continuing at a moderate gradient until you reach the start of the equipped route. The approach takes about 45 minutes of walking from the parking area.

Via Ferrata

The ascent begins with a beautiful vertical wall, easily manageable thanks to numerous iron rungs and the excellent grip of the granite. This opening section, exposed and continuous, immediately gives a clear sense of the route's airy character. After the first wall, you veer left onto an easy traverse that leads into a new steep slab, rich in natural holds. A subsequent traverse to the left brings you to another vertical wall, well-equipped with rungs. You then continue along a ledge to the right-a horizontal passage that offers a break from the verticality-before climbing up another small wall.

You then reach the crux of the via ferrata: a horizontal and exposed traverse that skirts an airy arête. The passage is not technically complex, but it demands good arm strength and delivers a serious adrenaline rush as you lean out over the void beyond the arête. It's a short section, just a few carabiners long, where you can use a lower rock ledge to ease the pull on the cable. Once past the arête, you climb up a boulder and tackle a vertical wall with a short overhang, followed by a long, exposed wall-not difficult but very panoramic, equipped with rungs.

A traverse to the right introduces the final wall to climb. From here, the terrain changes: the angle eases and the rock becomes more slabby, allowing you to move on friction until you descend toward the start of the Tibetan bridge. This long three-rope monkey bridge is an exciting but stable experience; for those who wish to avoid it, there is a bypass trail. Beyond the bridge, a short climb up an easy, sloping wall leads finally to the summit cross, marking the end of the equipped route. From here, you enjoy a magnificent view over Lake Maggiore. The via ferrata takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete, for a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes from the start of the hike.

Descent

From the summit cross, take the well-marked M3 trail, which leads back to the junction encountered during the approach. From that point, you return to the parking area by retracing the outward path. The descent takes about 45 minutes, bringing the total hike time to around 3 hours.

Useful Notes

The Picasass Via Ferrata is a recent, enjoyable, and well-exposed route that combines solid rock with never-excessive difficulty, making it physically continuous but not exhausting. Its strength lies in the overhanging traverse, short but demanding due to the exposure, and the subsequent suspension bridge, both adrenaline-pumping passages set in a panoramic context of great breadth. The modest altitude makes it ideal for the shoulder seasons. For those seeking greater challenges, just a few meters away starts the much more demanding Miccia Via Ferrata. The Lake Maggiore area and upper Piedmont offer numerous other possibilities for enthusiasts, such as the Falconera Via Ferrata or the Partusac Via Ferrata in Varallo, the Gabi Simplon Via Ferrata in Switzerland, or, by dedicating more days, the Lago Via Ferrata or the Guide di Macugnaga Via Ferrata.