Ferrata di Valimpach

Overview

The Valimpach via ferrata runs along the right orographic side of the Centa Valley, tracing a route parallel to the stream of the same name. The itinerary does not demand a high level of physical exertion, but it requires constant caution due to a combination of exposure, technical passages, and, above all, the condition of the rock. The rock, influenced by the proximity of the waterfalls, is often damp, covered in moss, and slippery for much of the route, fundamentally affecting the safety of the climb.

Approach

The recommended starting point is near Caldonazzo (TN). Follow the SP108 toward Centa San Nicolò, pass the Speckstube restaurant, and continue to the N3 parking lot, just below the hamlet of Valle. Detailed directions can be found online. For a longer, more scenic approach, you can use the N1 or N2 parking lots along the same road, adding a stretch of walking that offers views of the numerous waterfalls on the Centa stream.

From the parking lot, descend via a small road or a steep dirt path until you intercept the trail that runs along the Centa stream heading south. Continue to a bridge, near which you can see the remains of the former Polentoni mill. Just beyond, a sign marks the start of the equipped trail. From here, a steep route begins, laid out in short switchbacks with already exposed sections, leading to the actual start of the ferrata in about 20-30 minutes. This approach section, though brief, already has an ascending and uneven character, preparing you for the damp, enclosed environment of the valley.

Via Ferrata

The equipped section opens with the most exposed passage of the entire route: a ladder and a steel cable allow you to cross an airy ledge, offering a first expansive view of the village of Centa San Nicolò. The route then continues over a series of easy rock steps, equipped with metal rungs and framed by mountain pines. This first part, developed on slabs and outcrops, is technically simple but already significant for its lateral exposure over the valley. As you ascend, the view gradually opens up to the Valimpach waterfall and the deep valley gorge.

After these rocky sections, the itinerary enters a wooded area with no technical difficulty, slightly descending, which skirts the waterfalls until reaching their sources. This change of pace offers a break from the verticality, but the environment remains damp and shady. The route then continues into the valley, advancing over unstable boulders, before entering a narrow rocky gorge. Here, cables and rungs assist progress in an environment characterized by constant humidity, smooth and slippery rocks, moss, and the potential risk of falling stones. The morphology becomes more incised and enclosed, with the ferrata winding between water-polished walls. Following the traces, you eventually pass under the imposing Valimpach Bridge (926 m). Once past it, a right turn of a few meters leads onto the former "Strada della Val Caréta" (ex-trail 219), where the ferrata ends. The travel time from the start is about 1 hour and 15 minutes (about 1 hour and 45 minutes from the parking lot). The itinerary thus alternates between airy, panoramic sections and more enclosed, technical areas, with a discontinuous rhythm dictated by the morphology of the gorge.

Descent

From the end of the ferrata, take the old road in the direction of the Church of Lavarone. After about 15 minutes, you reach the junction with the Sentiero del Lanzino (trail 217), which you take to descend into the Centa Valley. During the descent, you pass a votive shrine dedicated to Saint Anthony and reach some ruins surrounded by a scree slope. Shortly after, you must carefully ford the Centa stream. Once you reach the valley floor trail on the left orographic side, follow the watercourse until you return to the starting parking lot. The complete hike takes about 3 hours. The descent, mostly on a forest trail, represents a gradual return to normalcy after the technical experience of the gorge.

Useful Notes

It is important to note that, especially in the final sections before the bridge, the metal equipment can be a bit loose, a factor that requires particular attention, especially from beginners. The quality of the rock is not always optimal, and the constant humidity, combined with the presence of moss, makes the surface treacherous and slippery. The damp, cool environment of the gorge, though evocative, heavily affects grip. Therefore, adequate footwear with a sculpted sole and maximum caution during the climb are recommended, carefully evaluating every foothold.