Sentiero Attrezzato Canale Bobbio

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato Carlo Villa is an exciting access route to the crest of Resegone, unfolding entirely within the rugged Canale Bobbio. This itinerary, which can be traveled in either direction, combines spectacular surroundings with continuous and effective fixed protection, making it easy to integrate with the other via ferratas of the massif.

Approach

The usual starting point is the parking lot for the Piani d'Erna cable car in Lecco. From the lower station, you reach the start of the via ferrata by choosing among three options: the quick cable car, the hiking ascent to Rifugio Stoppani and then to Piani d'Erna, or the challenging Ferrata Gamma 1. Once at Piani d'Erna, descend toward Bocche d'Erna and take Sentiero 10. Follow a gravel road up to a group of mountain huts, where the trail into the woods begins on the right; this approach section takes about 20 minutes of walking.

Via Ferrata

The route opens with a series of many ups and downs along the wooded slope, setting a discontinuous rhythm that prepares you for the more severe terrain ahead. Exposed sections are already protected here by cables and chains; the moderate technical difficulty should not deceive you, as the ground can become treacherous in wet conditions. The itinerary takes on a decidedly alpine character when you tackle the first exposed equipped ledges, one of which is overcome with the help of a stirrup. This passage introduces the heart of the Canale Bobbio, a deep groove carved into the dolomite, where white-red-yellow markings guide your progress.

You then ascend an exposed slope on the right side of the channel, aided by a continuous cable: this is the most physically demanding section, a steep climb unfolding beneath the imposing backdrop of the spires of the North Ridge of Resegone. The terrain gradually narrows until the tightest part of the gully, a rocky corridor dominated by large boulders. Here you overcome several short rock steps between two and four meters high, equipped with cables. Progression is mostly in diagonal traversing, punctuated by a couple of brief vertical ascents, in a sequence of technical but always protected moves.

The morphology culminates in a narrow gorge, which hosts the key passage of the route, still of moderate difficulty. Once past it, you find yourself in a rocky amphitheater where you must climb a roughly three-meter-high pinnacle and make a diagonal traverse to the left. With this obstacle overcome, the main technical difficulties are behind you. The character of the route changes again: a steep climb over scree and earth leads, after a final physical effort, to the summit meadows and finally to the Selletta di Bobbio, the end of the via ferrata. The time from the start of the equipped trail is about 2 hours (roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes from the upper cable car station).

Descent

The most popular descent route involves reaching Rifugio Azzoni in about 20 minutes by walking along the ridge toward the south-southwest. From the refuge, the normal route descends to Piani d'Erna via Sentiero 1, with a right turn onto Sentiero 5 (total time from the saddle: 1 hour and 45 minutes, for a full outing of about 4 hours). Alternatively, you can descend directly to the starting parking lot by continuing past Rifugio Stoppani on Sentiero 1 (time from the saddle: 2 hours and 30 minutes, total about 4 hours and 45 minutes).

A more alpine and scenic variant is to keep left at Selletta Bobbio and traverse the entire north ridge of Resegone (watch out for a few scrambling passages on rock) to Passo Giuff (about 2 hours from the saddle), then descend back to Piani d'Erna (total time from the saddle: 2 hours and 45 minutes, for an outing of about 5 hours).

Useful Notes

This via ferrata is considered the most scenic route to climb the crest of Resegone, offering continuous views of Lecco below and the lake. Its constant exposure and sustained steepness make it a rewarding and characterful itinerary, appreciated even by experienced via ferrata climbers for the continuity of the challenge. While ascending the Canale Bobbio, it is imperative to pay maximum attention not to dislodge rocks, given the funnel-like morphology that can turn a loosened stone into a dangerous projectile for those below.

The route can be descended by very experienced hikers, for example after climbing Resegone via Ferrata Gamma 2 or Ferrata Silvano de Franco. In this case, the difficulties increase significantly due to the exposure and the greater complexity of reading the passages in reverse. From Rifugio Azzoni, you also have access to other ridge and via ferrata itineraries, such as the Ferrata Centenario or the Ferrata Buco della Carlotta, allowing you to build expansive traverses.