Ferrata Giorda alla Sacra di San Michele

Overview

The Carlo Giorda Via Ferrata winds along the northern flank of Monte Pirchiriano, dominated by the imposing bulk of the Sacra di San Michele. This is a route of considerable length, but never technically severe, offering continuous and varied progression across a succession of rocky ledges and terraces. The character of the itinerary is markedly panoramic and climbing-oriented, with two suspension bridges that add an element of exposure and dynamism to the route, particularly the first one, which is notably long.

Approach

Access is from Chiusa San Michele, in the province of Turin. Along the SS25 del Moncenisio state road, between Sant'Ambrogio di Torino and Ponterosso, a large dirt clearing precedes a fishing pond. Here, an information board marks the start of the itinerary, with the profile of Monte Pirchiriano and the Abbey of the Sacra di San Michele already clearly visible behind it. The clearing serves as a parking area.

From the parking area, the start of the route and the first bridge are clearly identifiable. Take a wide trail, cross a small bridge, and in about 5 minutes you reach the beginning of the via ferrata, marked by a white sign with safety regulations. After a few easy rock steps, you arrive at the sheathed steel cable that kicks off the actual progression.

Via Ferrata

The route begins with a first section that climbs diagonally up a rocky ramp, then tackles some slabs. The rock, which can have a slippery patina throughout the route, nonetheless offers plenty of holds and footholds. The moderate angle often allows you to progress without using the cable. After this initial stretch, a short connecting section leads into a series of passages on easy traverses and pleasantly climbable sections, developing along ledges and small arêtes.

The ascent continues along an arête to an equipped rock chimney, followed by a traverse to the right that opens up a fine panorama of the Susa Valley. You then encounter the only vertical slab on the route: if tackled by climbing, it is exposed but not difficult. Gaining altitude, you climb a new series of slabs and rocky steps, where the rock becomes more polished, requiring greater care in choosing natural holds. Here ends the first section of the route, at a escape route on the left.

Continuing, keep right along an equipped trail, with an up-and-down that is at times exposed but protected, leading to the long suspension bridge. This bridge, about 80 meters long, has wide foot rungs; it is more unstable in the first part up to the first large U-bend, then stabilizes. It is possible to bypass it using a yellow-sheathed steel cable. After crossing the bridge, climb a vertical wall equipped with stirrups, round an arête, and continue to the right on a short ledge.

A further connecting section leads to the ascent of the northwest face of Monte Pirchiriano. This constitutes the most rewarding and varied stretch of the entire via ferrata, lasting about an hour. The pace is continuous and pleasantly physical, with a sequence of ramps, small walls, easy dihedrals, chimneys, and gullies. The rock is of good quality and holds are abundant, inviting full-on climbing progression. Along this sector, you encounter a second escape route, marked but with a faint trail.

The route now proceeds at the foot of the Sacra di San Michele, with a new series of medium-difficulty passages leading to a second suspension bridge. This one, about 15 meters long, is made of four ropes and allows an oblique traverse that is not difficult. The final rocky steps finally bring you to the foot of the high walls of the abbey, with a climbing time of about 3 hours and 30 minutes from the parking lot.

Descent

From the end of the via ferrata, follow the track to the right that skirts the west wall of the Sacra. The trail is steep and, in some exposed sections, protected by large green tubular rails on the right. After about 5 minutes, you meet a sign indicating "via ferrata exit." Following it, in another 10 minutes you emerge onto the paved road that climbs to the Sacra, visible high on the left.

Opposite, a mule track in the woods opens up; take it, descending to the hamlet of San Pietro. As soon as you enter the hamlet, keep left on a concrete road. Leaving the built-up area, you re-enter the mule track, which descends toward the valley with a long series of switchbacks, gradually losing elevation until reaching Sant'Ambrogio.

From here, follow the road to the main street of the town, keeping left and skirting the walls of Monte Pirchiriano. After about 10 minutes, with a channel on your right, continue, and in a few minutes the start wall of the route reappears on the left and, on the right, the starting parking lot. The descent takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, for a total of about 5 hours from the start of the excursion.

Useful Notes

The Carlo Giorda Via Ferrata is a pleasant excursion that, in its near entirety, lends itself to being tackled by climbing. The two suspension bridges, recently added, inject a dose of exposure and adrenaline into an overall very rewarding route. In summer, be mindful of the heat. The rock, polished in some areas by heavy traffic, remains manageable with a bit of experience and technique without excessive problems. Along the return route, there are two fountains. It is forbidden to descend the route.