Ferrata Silvano de Franco

Overview

The Ferrata Silvano de Franco offers a less crowded, alternative route up the Resegone, the iconic mountain that towers over Lecco. This is a short but demanding equipped itinerary that runs along the southwest ridge, which is particularly exposed, with several challenging sections on smooth slabs. Reaching the start requires a fairly long approach; for this reason, it's often combined with other equipped routes heading toward Pian Serrada, such as the Ferrata del Centenario or the Sentiero Attrezzato del Caminetto.

The route has a stop-start rhythm, alternating short horizontal traverses on ledges with vertical climbs up compact limestone towers. The exposure is pronounced from the very beginning and increases steadily, defining a route that is predominantly technical and airy, rewarded by exceptional views over the lake and the alpine chain.

Approach

The starting point is the large parking lot for the cable car to the Piani d'Erna, in Lecco. After reaching the city via the expressway toward Ballabio and Valtellina, exit at the end of a tunnel following clear signs for "Piani D'Erna," then drive up the road to its end in the square.

To reach the start of the ferrata, there are four different options, depending on whether you take the cable car and whether you include other equipped trails.

Option 1 (Cable car and direct approach) From the top station, take Sentiero 5 toward Rifugio Azzoni. At the junction with Sentiero 1, turn left uphill, still heading toward the refuge. After passing the Passo della Zibretta (about 1 hour 15 minutes from the cable car), watch carefully for a faint track on the left, marked by a small signpost. Follow it on a slight descent to reach the start of the ferrata in about 1 hour 30 minutes total from the cable car. This approach follows a forest trail and then scree slopes, with a steady pace and moderate gradient.

Option 2 (Cable car with another equipped trail) Still on Sentiero 5, at the junction with Sentiero 1, continue straight toward Passo Fò. From here, signs lead to the starts of the Ferrata del Centenario or the Sentiero Attrezzato del Caminetto, which climb to Pian Serrada. From the meadows of Pian Serrada, ascend until you intercept Sentiero 1, then continue to find the signpost described in the first option. This route takes about 2 hours from the cable car and adds a section of rock climbing before the main ferrata.

Option 3 (Direct hike up) From the right side of the square, take Sentiero 1, which passes Rifugio Stoppani and continues toward Rifugio Azzoni. Ignore the junction with Sentiero 5 and keep climbing, passing the Passo della Zibretta in about 2 hours 45 minutes. From here, proceed as in the first option to the start, for a total of about 3 hours from the parking lot. This is a long and physically demanding approach with continuous elevation gain.

Option 4 (Hike up with another equipped trail) Follow Sentiero 1, and at the junction with Sentiero 6 toward Passo Fò, take the latter. From the pass, follow signs for the equipped trails toward Pian Serrada, then continue as in the second option. The estimated time is about 3 hours 30 minutes from the parking lot. This choice maximizes the technical challenge of the day, linking two equipped routes after a long approach march.

Via Ferrata

The equipped route begins with a short rock step, where the cable runs through a crack. After overcoming this first obstacle, you tackle some rocky sections with plenty of natural holds. After a short horizontal stretch, you encounter a second, longer sequence of rocky steps on very jagged rock that offers excellent holds. The gradient gradually increases, and the cable runs inside a small gully, presenting a short step where it's convenient to rely on the steel cable. As you gain altitude, the exposure increases significantly.

The progression initially develops on sloping slabs, then focuses on a series of vertical steps that characterize the ridge profile. The rhythm is broken, with brief pauses on small terraces before tackling the key passages.

Reaching a panoramic pulpit, you see a second vertical section ahead, preceded by a piece of ridge trail. This trail proceeds on a thin, equipped track on the right side of the ridge crest, offering a moment of horizontal but very airy progression.

The second tower begins with a dihedral about four meters high, where holds are less obvious. It's advisable to climb it by placing your feet on the left side, even though the cable runs on the right. After rounding a bulge to the right, you find yourself below a vertical, jagged wall. You overcome a couple of steps, one of which is particularly strenuous, then reach a small terrace. Shortly after, a short equipped descent begins. After passing it, continue on an obvious trail that leads to the next equipped section.

These passages on compact, vertical rock require good climbing technique and skillful use of the cable, which at times is the only secure hold. The environment is severe, dominated by the bare rock of the ridge.

This new sector begins at a point where, due to a low roof, it's difficult to start without pulling on the cable. The following meters are rich in holds, and the climb proceeds smoothly up to a couple of bulges. Follow a short horizontal ledge to the left until you reach a vertical wall, with a crack on the left and a small wall on the right. The route on the right is easier at the start, but to overcome the final wall, the crack is more convenient. On this exposed passage, you'll need to momentarily unclip your carabiners and reattach them shortly after on a new step. The following vertical section is well-provided with holds and climbs a corner staying on its right side, then exits onto a path that runs along the ridge between rocky steps and outcrops. This sector is less demanding than the previous ones but remains decidedly exposed.

The ferrata here alternates technical climbing sections with exposed walking on the ridge, offering a varied and never monotonous experience. The need to unclip carabiners at critical points adds an extra degree of attention.

Unclip your carabiners again to reattach them near an exposed saddle, which you cross to reach the final section of the ferrata. Attack a pillar staying on its left side until you completely pass it. Continue with some rocky steps and a couple of more pronounced rises, staying on the right edge of the ridge. After these final passages, you emerge onto the ridge trail, where you proceed without any more equipment. The trail is not difficult but requires caution in case of recent rain. From the trail, you can see the summit cross in the distance, the final objective.

Continuing on the trail, you face some ups and downs, partly equipped. One passage that deserves particular caution is the descent around a large boulder, before rejoining the trail that leads in a few minutes to the cross of Punta Cermenati. The time to complete the ferrata is about 1 hour from the start, for a total of about 2 hours 30 minutes from the top cable car station.

The final section on the ridge trail allows you to admire the route you've taken and fully enjoy the 360-degree panorama, before the last effort toward the summit.

Descent

From the summit cross, with Rifugio Azzoni in sight, reach the refuge. From here, typically descend along Sentiero 1 to the junction with Sentiero 5. At this point, you can choose: take Sentiero 5 to the right toward Piani D'Erna and the cable car (about 1 hour 15 minutes from the end of the ferrata, for a total of about 3 hours 45 minutes), or stay on Sentiero 1 descending toward Rifugio Stoppani and the parking lot (about 2 hours from the end of the ferrata, for a total of about 4 hours 30 minutes).

The descent along Sentiero 1 is steep and uneven, on gravelly and rocky terrain, requiring concentration especially when tired. The variant toward the cable car is faster and less physically demanding.

Useful Notes

The Ferrata Silvano De Franco is not particularly long but has difficult passages not to be underestimated, and is less traveled than other routes on the Resegone. The cable, present along the entire route, can be clipped into but is sometimes a bit cumbersome and can hinder progression, with carabiners occasionally tending to snag. The limestone rock can be slippery when wet.

As mentioned, this ferrata lends itself well to being combined with other equipped trails that climb the bastion behind Passo Fò. One alternative could be to ascend via the Ferrata Gamma 1 from Piani D'Erna and then head toward the Silvano De Franco. Another option is to traverse the ridge from Rifugio Azzoni to the exit of the Sentiero Attrezzato Carlo Villa al Canale Bobbio, which you descend carefully due to exposure. On the Resegone, there are also other itineraries, such as the Ferrata Gamma 2 or the Cresta della Giumenta, though these are less easily linked with this route.

The itinerary requires good physical fitness for the approach and solid ferrata progression technique for the most challenging and exposed passages. The low traffic compared to other routes on the massif guarantees a more solitary and immersive experience in the severe environment of the ridge.