Ferrata Guzzella al Grappa

Overview

The Ferrata Guzzella is a fixed-rope route that unfolds along the southern slopes of Monte Grappa. Starting from Val San Liberale, the route has a marked duality: an initial section that is easy and climbable is followed by a second portion classed as difficult, with athletic and exposed passages. The approach is steep and physically demanding; the low altitude of the start strongly advises against the ascent during the hottest summer months, as the combination of gradient and heat can make the climb particularly exhausting.

Approach

The route begins from the parking area near the restaurant in Val San Liberale, accessible from Crespano del Grappa (TV). From the parking lot (600 m), take a paved road that leads to a first junction. Keeping left, follow the signs for the Ferrata Guzzella, while to the right branches the trail for the nearby Ferrata Sass Brusai. Continue on a forest road to a second junction (680 m, about 15 minutes from the start). At this point, turn right, setting off on a steep and strenuous forest trail that, after a continuous climb, intersects the CAI 102 trail (1000 m, about 45 minutes from the junction, 1 hour total). Following clear signs northward, continue climbing until you reach the official start of the via ferrata (1170 m), for a total of about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the beginning of the hike.

Via Ferrata

From the start, the ridge crest that will be ascended is clearly visible. The first section begins on a very slabby wall rich in holds, where the cable primarily serves as security. The rock, solid and jagged, allows for a pleasant climb with no significant technical difficulties. After this wall, you reach a flat section, traverse a short ledge, and tackle a few rocky steps, thus concluding the initial part.

A grassy trail connects to the next series of rocky steps and equipped outcrops, alternating with sections on a track. Proceed along a fairly wide grassy ridge until you encounter new equipped steps and two easy diagonal traverses to the left, on well-holded rock. Then climb a stepped gully that leads to a fine vertical wall. After an initial step, the ascent continues with pleasant climbing, using the numerous holds and stirrups present.

Exiting the wall, a ridge trail leads to new equipped sections with rocky steps, up to a panoramic balcony. Here, there is an escape route to the right that connects with the provincial road, offering the possibility of descending to the parking lot or climbing to Monte Grappa, thus avoiding the second and more demanding section.

The second section is to be considered difficult. The character changes radically: you climb vertically and then to the left on a demanding and athletic traverse across a smooth slab that goes around a corner. The passage is exposed and overhanging; it is advisable to tackle it decisively to avoid excessively tiring your arms. Going around the corner requires a good mix of agility and strength. After this obstacle, continue on an equipped trail with easy steps.

You then reach the second difficult passage of the route: a fine wall of about twenty meters. Start with a diagonal traverse to the left to reach a stirrup, then climb vertically. Turn left again, intercepting other stirrups to complete the climb, finding in the upper part rock that is decidedly more climbable. The equipped vertical section continues on a slab with good holds. This is the concluding part of the equipped route. Following the trail, you tackle a few final easy rocky steps and equipped sections on more treacherous ground, until reaching the summit of Napon (1550 m), where the equipment ends. The time for the via ferrata is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, for a total from the start of about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Descent

Shortly after the end of the equipment, the fastest trail for returning to San Liberale branches off to the right. Alternatively, continuing towards the summit of Monte Grappa, you reach in about 30 minutes the sacred area of World War I with the majestic Monte Grappa Memorial, absolutely worth a visit.

For the return to the parking lot, from Rifugio Bassano follow the trail markers 151 which, passing through Pian di Bala, lead back to San Liberale. Descend along the steep but well-marked trail 151 to the junction encountered on the way up near the parking lot. The descent time from Monte Grappa is about 2 hours, for a total of about 2 hours and 30 minutes from the end of the via ferrata and about 5 hours and 30 minutes for the entire loop.

Useful Notes

The Ferrata Guzzella is divided into two distinct sections: a first one that is very climbable and technically easy, and a second one with two demanding passages, of which the first traverse is physically very challenging. The approach is steep and strenuous. The low altitude makes the route inadvisable during the hottest summer months.

The route shares its starting point with the nearby Ferrata Sass Brusai. For experienced and well-equipped hikers, it is possible to combine the two via ferratas, doing one in descent. In this case, tackling the Guzzella in descent requires maximum caution on the two initial difficult passages. One option could be to take the paved road to the escape route and descend along the first section of the Guzzella.

In the area, there are other equipped itineraries such as the short Ferrata Santa Felicita or the longer Sentiero degli Eroi. Moving towards the Piccole Dolomiti, you will find numerous options, including the Ferrata del Vajo Scuro, the Ferrata Biasin, the Sentiero Attrezzato Pojesi near Carega, and on the southern side the pleasant Ferrate Viali and Ezio Ferrari. In Val d'Astico, you can follow the recent Ferrata delle Anguane, while towards the Dolomiti Feltrine, the Ferrata al Monte Coppolo is noteworthy.