Sentiero Attrezzato Ceria Merlone

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato Ceria Merlone is a demanding loop itinerary in the Julian Alps, linking the Montasio Plateau to the ridge of Cima Terrarossa. Built in 1971 by the Battaglione Alpini Cividale on World War I positions and dedicated to Trieste climbers Celestino Ceria and Ruggero Merlone, the route unfolds as an alpine trail. The itinerary alternates short protected sections with long stretches of completely unroped ledges and ridges, demanding solid preparation and absolute comfort with exposure. The recommended counterclockwise direction, starting from Forcella Lavinal dell'Orso, traces a spectacular loop that concludes with the descent to Rifugio Brazzà, offering a complete view of the area's morphology.

Approach

The access point is the parking lot on the Montasio Plateau, reachable from Sella Nevea. From Chiusaforte, about twenty minutes from the Carnia-Tolmezzo exit of the A23, follow signs for Sella Nevea and, after passing the town, those for the Montasio Plateau to the end of the road. From the car (around 1500 m), take the dirt road heading toward Rifugio Brazzà. Shortly, you'll intersect another track marked with trail 624, which you take to the right on a gentle grade. Pass in sequence Casere Parte di Mezzo and Casere Larice (1479 m, 30 minutes). Continuing on the narrowing trail, ignore a track to the right for Sella Nevea and reach Rifugio Casere Cregnedul di sopra (1515 m, 1 hour total). Continue by joining trail 625, keeping left as you ascend. After leaving the forest, the route traverses the south face of Cregnedul at mid-height, a broad debris rib, up to the Passo degli Scalini (2022 m, 1 hour from the refuge, 2 hours total). Beyond the pass, cross the valley below following the track and, once on the opposite slope, climb along the white-red markers toward Forcella Lavinal dell'Orso. Just before the notch, an inscription on the rock marks the start of the Sentiero Attrezzato Ceria Merlone (30 minutes from Passo degli Scalini, about 2 hours and 30 minutes total). The approach is a gradual introduction that prepares hikers for the high-mountain environment, with a steady pace and moderate gradient.

Via Ferrata

The first objective is Forcella Cregnedul (2340 m). The route skirts the imposing walls of Punta Plagnis with a succession of gravel climbs and short protected sections that overcome rock steps, a vertical wall, and a sloping slab. After leaving the starting notch behind, you tackle a protected chimney with a metal ladder, finishing this strenuous first section in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This initial stretch introduces the character of the itinerary: not a continuous via ferrata, but a sequence of technical passages set in a sweeping landscape. From the notch, a wide unprotected ledge skirts the south walls of Punta Plagnis, leading from the east side to the west. The passages are broad but very exposed, with some narrow spots at notches and rock steps; the most critical sections have a handline cable. A short protected descent section returns to the trail, which continues on comfortable ledges to Forca de la Val (2352 m, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Forcella Cregnedul). This long stretch of free ledges, developed on compact limestone, sets the rhythm of the route: there are no major elevation gains, but the constant exposure and need for concentration demand a steady, confident step. From here, the view opens onto the Canin group. You ascend a series of protected gullies interspersed with a debris scree, then traverse a section rich in exposed protected ledges. After a tucked-away notch, you round the southern face of Modeon del Buinz, heading toward Sella di Buinz. You overcome an exposed protected ledge and a short stretch on unstable ground, then climb the broad south ridge of Modeon del Buinz with a few easy protected rock steps. This brings you to the modern Bivacco Vuerich (2531 m, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Forca de la Val), located just below Foronon del Buinz. This central section is more technical and vertical, with a succession of rock climbs that break up the horizontal progression of the ledges. From the summit of Foronon, follow the broad ridge, cross a catwalk, and begin descending with easy downclimbing moves, some of which are protected. The view of Jof di Montasio is striking. Staying on the south side of the ridge, you traverse exposed and generally unprotected ledges to a steep but well-holded protected gully, which leads to Forca de Lis Siens (2274 m, 1 hour from the bivouac). From this wide saddle, the trail continues on a gentle grade with modest ups and downs until reaching the junction marked by an inscription on a rock (2285 m, 15 minutes from the notch), where the protected route ends. The total time for the via ferrata is about 5 hours. The final part features a more varied rhythm, with technical descent sections followed by easy ledges, gradually easing the effort before the final descent.

Descent

From the final junction (2285 m), the quickest option for the return is to take the left toward the Montasio Plateau. An interesting alternative is the short detour to nearby Cima Terrarossa (2420 m, 45 minutes round trip). Descending toward the plateau, you reach Rifugio Brazzà (1660 m, 1 hour and 15 minutes from the end of the via ferrata) and finally the starting parking lot (about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the end of the via ferrata). The entire loop takes approximately 9 hours. The final descent, on a marked trail, offers a relaxing counterpoint after the intense exposure of the protected route, with a steady walking rhythm and constant gradient.

Useful Notes

The Sentiero Attrezzato Ceria Merlone does not present high technical difficulty in individual passages, but demands maximum attention due to constant exposure and many unprotected sections on ledges and gullies. The itinerary unfolds in a remote, high-mountain environment with only two possible unmarked escape routes: from Forca de la Val, descending the steep scree toward the Conca di Casera Cregnedul, and from Punta Plagnis, via the Plagnota. Both should be considered emergency options. The Bivacco Vuerich, in excellent condition, offers a support point midway. The equipment and markings are in good condition. The route lends itself to being combined with other via ferratas for multi-day trips. From Forcella Lavinal dell'Orso, you can descend the north side of Montasio (trail 626), a useful option for those, for example, descending from the Ferrata Amalia on Jof di Montasio. Other possible combinations include pairing it with the Sentiero Attrezzato Leva toward Cima Terrarossa or starting for the Ferrata Goitan on Jof Fuart. The true difficulty of the route lies in its composite nature: it's an alpine experience that tests psychological endurance to constant exposure more than physical strength, requiring careful reading of the terrain and a consistently sure step.