Ferrata Steinbergerweg

Overview

This report describes the classic route up the northeastern face of Creta di Collinetta, known as the Steinbergerweg Via Ferrata. Laid out by an Austrian military unit under the command of Major Steinberger during World War I, the route follows a moderate technical line, ascending the typical gullies and gorges of this mountainside. Beyond its mountaineering value, the route carries deep historical significance, preserving numerous remnants of the fighting that bloodied these slopes.

Approach

The route begins at the Passo di Monte Croce Carnico (1360 m), a border pass between Italy and Austria. It is reached from Tolmezzo (UD) via the SS 52b in about forty minutes. After parking, take trail 146 on the Italian side. This comfortable, evenly graded mule track leads to an intersection with trail 147, coming from the Rifugio Marinelli. Turn right onto trail 147, where the path becomes steeper, following an old military mule track that crosses wide exposed ledges and short tunnels.

This brings you to the Contrafforte di Schulter at 1736 meters. From here, following the signs, you tackle a section of trail over rock and dwarf pines that requires attention to avoid losing the path. Continuing, you encounter a junction marked on the rock: left leads to the Ferrata Senza Confini, right to the Steinbergerweg. Keeping right, you initially ascend a debris cone, then traverse high across the northeastern face of Creta di Collinetta, until you reach the start of the via ferrata, marked by a marble plaque with German inscriptions (1870 m). The walking time from the parking area is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The approach environment is characterized by wide grassy terraces and ledges, shaped by glacial action, offering a broad and panoramic walk. The pace is steady but constant, with a progressive elevation gain that prepares you for the challenge ahead.

Via Ferrata

The Steinbergerweg Via Ferrata faithfully follows the old wartime route. It begins by ascending a debris gully, then makes a traverse to the left across rock slabs and grassy slopes, in a moderately exposed section. It is crucial to carefully assess your footholds, as some rocks are unstable; the steel cable, recently replaced, is in excellent condition.

After this first sector, you enter the heart of the route: a rocky gorge carved into compact dolomite. Here you tackle numerous stepped, equipped sections, climbing cautiously due to loose stones and a few short free-climbing passages (max grade I+). Once you reach the cable again on the left side, you overcome some steep sections that lead left onto a short ridge. Continue by ascending a gully with the aid of the steel cable, until you emerge onto a grassy saddle (2103 m). Here the cables end and the trails from the Ferrata Senza Confini and the Italian side converge. The climbing time from the start is about 1 hour.

The via ferrata mainly develops on vertical features like gullies and gorges, offering continuous but not exhausting climbing. The character is predominantly vertical and technical, with well-protected passages that nonetheless require attention to the stability of the ground. The exposure is marked on the initial traverse and at some points in the gorge, balanced by a cable that is always present.

From the saddle, with the summit of Creta di Collinetta and its metal cross clearly visible, you ascend a clear track toward the eastern sub-summit. Beyond this, you encounter numerous remains from the Great War, and soon reach the main summit at 2241 meters, marked by an imposing cross and a commemorative plaque. From the saddle to the summit takes about 20 minutes.

Descent

For the return, go back to the trail junction reached at the end of the via ferrata. From here, descend to the right along trail 147 on the Italian side, traversing horizontally (with a possible detour to Creta di Collina). Then continue descending along the mule track, which rejoins the route taken on the approach. Descend back along the same path to the parking area at the Passo di Monte Croce Carnico. The descent time from the summit is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, for a total hike of about 4 hours and 30 minutes.

The descent retraces the broad system of ledges, offering a fast, non-technical walk. The pace is steady, and the well-marked path allows you to appreciate the landscape of the Carnic Prealps in backlight.

Useful Notes

The Steinbergerweg Via Ferrata is a pleasant route, of low-to-medium difficulty in the equipped sections. Apart from the exposed initial traverse and a couple of steeper passages, it presents no major objective difficulties and is very climbable. Caution is advised on the few unprotected sections where free climbing is necessary. The historical interest of this contested mountain is very high. Note that the names Creta di Collinetta and Cellon are often used interchangeably.

The route shares much of its approach and return with the more challenging Ferrata Senza Confini. The Rifugio Marinelli, visible from the via ferrata, can serve as a base for ascending Monte Coglians or for accessing the difficult via ferrata on the north face of Coglians. In the area of the Carnic Prealps, there are other interesting via ferratas.

The overall experience combines accessible mountaineering with a strong historical immersion. While not physically demanding, the route requires good comfort with exposure and constant assessment of ground stability, typical of wartime routes. The morphology of the face, with its gorges and gullies, ensures varied and pleasantly technical climbing.