Ferrata di Rocca Candelera

Overview

The Ferrata di Rocca Candelera traces its line up a mighty granite buttress that rises sharply from the wild Valli di Lanzo. This rocky bastion stands vertical above the forests, dominating the village of Piazzette with a typically alpine harshness. The route is characterized by constant exposure and predominantly vertical progression, enriched by a three-cable suspension bridge and a few slightly overhanging sections, ensuring a dynamic experience full of sweeping views.

Approach

The access point for the via ferrata is the town of Usseglio, in the province of Turin. Just before the town, you can leave your car near a quarry, spotting the relevant sign along the road. From the parking area, an information board marks the start of the trail. You then follow a well-maintained path that runs alongside ancient dry-stone walls. During the ascent, you come to a fork: the right branch will be used for the return, while for the approach you continue left, following the signs. The trail, excellently marked, climbs decisively up the slope and, in about forty minutes from the start, leads to the sign marking the beginning of the equipped route.

Via Ferrata

First section The start of the ferrata may appear deceptively moderate. You initially tackle some undemanding rocky steps and sloping slabs, where metal rungs are logically placed where needed. The granite rock offers excellent grip. A subsequent connecting section allows you to gain height, gifting the first open views of the valley. Then come two small walls of about twenty meters each, easily overcome thanks to solid equipment and good rock quality. Another short connecting section, with just one climbing move, introduces the second part of the route. This first section has a broken rhythm, alternating short technical climbs with walks along ledges, gradually preparing you for the exposure.

Second section The second part is clearly more continuous, vertical, and engaging. It begins by climbing a sloping slab without rungs, then arrives at the long, characteristic wall of this route. After a brief lateral deviation, you tackle the vertical ascent for at least thirty or forty meters. The progression presents no high technical difficulties given the dense sequence of metal holds, but a few slightly overhanging passages, combined with the now pronounced exposure, give the climb character. You then move progressively to the right along an elegant ridge, to make a traverse to the left that, after a few meters, leads to a small terrace. From here, you climb a fine natural pulpit without the aid of rungs, which leads directly to the start of the suspension bridge.

The three-cable bridge is stable. Once across, you traverse diagonally to the left, positioning yourself under a long gray slab on which an uninterrupted series of rungs is visible. You climb the first twenty meters vertically, then move to the right above a thin rock blade. You make another traverse before resuming the vertical, very exposed climb, which heads toward a roof. This is easily bypassed on the right side, leading into a calmer connecting section, ideal for admiring the view and catching your breath. This central sector is the heart of the ferrata: a continuous and demanding stretch on compact rock, requiring physical endurance and good management of exposure.

You then reach a short wall that leads to a ridge, overcome on the left, to then climb a shallow dihedral, now near the conclusion. You traverse a final slab, a grassy section, and a final sloping slab before arriving, after about two hours and thirty minutes from the start of the ferrata (for a total of three hours from the beginning), at the distinctive wooden cross marking the summit of Rocca Candelera. The final meters have a more broken rhythm, marking the gradual end of the vertical component.

Descent

After enjoying the expansive view from the summit, head to the right along an obvious ridge trail until you meet a sign indicating the descent path. The return follows a steep trail, which includes some traversing sections on grassy slopes that can be slippery; it is essential to follow the red markers on the trees carefully. As you lose altitude, the trail becomes easier and, in about one hour from the end of the ferrata (for a total of four hours and thirty minutes from the start of the hike), leads back to the parking area near the quarry.

Useful Notes

The Ferrata di Rocca Candelera, like many equipped routes in Piedmont, uses a considerable number of rungs and metal fixtures. This aspect significantly reduces the technical difficulty, making the route accessible even to hikers without specific mountaineering experience. However, caution is required on some overhanging sections and with the constant exposure, which define its more physical than technical character. For further details, you can consult the official leaflet released by the Municipality of Usseglio. It is strictly forbidden to descend the via ferrata once you have begun the ascent.

For those who intend to combine another experience on the same day, given the overall length of the itinerary, it is necessary to start in the morning. The nearest alternatives, reachable in about an hour by car, are the Ferrata di Pont Canavese, the Ferrata di Rocca Bianca at Caprie, or the Ferrata Carlo Giorda at Pirchiarano.