Overview
The Ferrata del BEC Valletta is a recently built route that winds through the wild landscape of the Vallone di San Giovanni, above Limone Piemonte. Technically, it is not among the most severe, thanks to meticulous outfitting with metal stirrups that ensure a fluid progression. The character of the route is defined by two standout moments: the ascent of a very exposed arête near the summit and, above all, the subsequent final downclimbing section. This last part requires moving in a roped party, belaying each other with a short length of rope using the available Raumer pitons. The experience is enriched by the presence of two optional zip lines, which add a pure fun element to the route.
Approach
Access to the route starts from the Vallone di San Giovanni. From Limone Piemonte (Piazza Risorgimento), take via Valleggia, follow it all the way, then continue left onto via Almellina until you reach the ski lifts. Here, turn onto via San Giovanni; heading up it, just before it begins to descend, turn right and immediately left onto a dirt track that, after passing the Church of San Giovanni, becomes a gravel road. Continue to the limit of vehicle access, where you park. On foot, continue along the gravel road, cross a pasture keeping to the left side toward the Vallone di San Giovanni. The start of the via ferrata is reachable in about 15 minutes of walking from the parking area.
Via Ferrata
The route opens with a series of vertical steps and rock faces, made manageable by natural holds and a dense sequence of metal stirrups. After a left turn and a short section without a fixed line, you arrive at one of the most spectacular sections: a magnificent sloping limestone slab, polished by millennia of water action, which is tackled in delicate friction climbing. The route then continues over rocky ledges well-equipped with stirrups and steps, before temporarily leaving the cable for a connecting trail.
Resuming the fixed line, a section that is first horizontal and then vertical leads to the ridge. Following the ridge trail, which descends with a few switchbacks around a tower, you reach the area of the two optional zip lines. These allow you to reach an isolated pinnacle and from there return to the route. In the same area, there is an escape route descending toward the valley, marking the end of the first section.
The second part of the via ferrata begins with an unprotected climb, requiring a few moves of scrambling on solid rock. You then tackle the key passage of the entire route: the ascent of a very exposed arête and a dihedral, entirely equipped with a long, continuous series of stirrups. This section, while technically not extreme, is characterized by marked exposure that heightens the psychological challenge. After overcoming this sector, you gain the summit of BEC Valletta. From here begins the final downclimb: it is essential to pay maximum attention to the rock, which can be loose in some spots, and to use a short length of rope to belay each other in pairs using the Raumer pitons, until reaching a ledge that marks the end of the route. The travel time for the via ferrata is about 2 hours and 45 minutes from the start, for a total of about 3 hours.
Descent
From the final ledge, the descent unfolds into the Vallone di San Giovanni, keeping to the left hydrographic side. An alternative involves descending via the Alpetta ski slopes on the right side. The trail in the Vallone di San Giovanni is not well-marked: you need to descend leftward along the valley and, before reaching the stream, veer left until you intercept the approach trail and the start of the via ferrata, then retrace it back to the parking area. The descent takes about 45 minutes from the end of the route.
Useful Notes
To safely use the zip lines, you need a specific model of pulley, such as the CAMP Flyte, CT Duetto, or Petzl Tandem, rated for this type of installation. The equipment can be rented at a center in Limone Piemonte. An information board at the start reminds you to bring a short length of rope to belay each other on the brief unroped trail sections, using the Raumer anchors (lever carabiners) to move as a roped party at a suggested distance of ten meters. This recommendation is especially valid for less experienced hikers or younger participants. The Cuneo area offers numerous other via ferratas to explore, such as the Ferrata dei Funs (reachable in about an hour by car), the Ferrata di Rocca Senghi, that at Rocca dei Corvi, the Ferrata di Chiaronto, Camoglieres in Val Varaita, and the longer and more challenging Ferrata degli Alpini at Dronero.
