Sentiero Attrezzato degli Stradini

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato degli Stradini is a highly rewarding route that connects Piani d'Artavaggio to Piani di Bobbio, winding along the eastern and southern flanks of Zucco Pesciola. It's the ideal choice for a first taste of the via ferrata world, with modest elevation gain and exposure that never feels overwhelming, while still offering wide, spectacular views of the Grigne group and the Valsassina valley below. Its location makes it easy to combine, once you reach the destination, with two other major ferratas that start in the same area.

Approach

The route begins at the top station of the cable car to Piani d'Artavaggio, in the province of Lecco. To get there, head up the Val Sassina from Lecco, cross through Ballabio, and after passing the hamlet of Balisio, turn right following signs for the lift to Moggio. From the parking area, a short ten-minute walk leads to the cable car station. From the top station (1650 m), take the well-marked trail climbing toward the Rifugi Cazzaniga and Nicola. Just beyond, clear signs direct you toward Malga Campelli and, finally, to Bocchetta del Faggio (1839 m), the actual starting point of the via ferrata. The approach from the cable car takes about 45 minutes of walking.

Via Ferrata

From Bocchetta del Faggio, the route reveals itself clearly: a diagonal traverse across the compact rock base of Zucco Pesciola's southeast face. The initial progression follows a trail until you reach a moderately exposed ledge, easily overcome thanks to the first section of steel cables. Beyond this passage, the path continues with gentle ups and downs until it meets the second equipped section. This helps you round a corner and descend the opposite slope with continuous cable assistance, then leads to crossing a gully. Continuing, you arrive at a grassy ledge, traversed with the support of a handline cable, ending with a short metal ladder. This ladder allows you to climb a rocky step just over a meter high.

The rhythm of the route is pleasantly broken, alternating trail walking with brief technical rock passages, never demanding sustained physical effort. The development is mostly horizontal and diagonal, with a constant southern exposure that guarantees bright, open views. The trail then continues in a slight descent, rounding a ridge of the mountain and heading toward a cabled corner, which you negotiate by going around it. You then proceed on a gentle climb along the path, passing the turnoff for the start of the Ferrata dello Zucco Pesciola. In a few minutes, you finally reach the Rifugio Lecco, the endpoint of the via ferrata. The walking time from Bocchetta del Faggio is about 2 hours, for a total of 2 hours and 45 minutes from the start of the route.

Descent

For the return to Piani d'Artavaggio, there are two main options. The first, more direct, is to retrace the same ascent route. The second, which forms a more expansive loop, starts from Rifugio Lecco and climbs along trail 16 toward Valle dei Megoff up to Bocchetta dei Mughi (2020 m). From here, descend via trail 101, known as the "Anello dei Campelli," a path that features exposed sections and alternates ups and downs through valleys and steep gullies, until reaching Rifugio Cazzaniga. From there, following the signs, you return to Piani d'Artavaggio. This descent variant takes about 3 hours from Rifugio Lecco, bringing the total loop time to around 5 hours and 45 minutes.

Useful Notes

The Sentiero Attrezzato degli Stradini can be traveled in either direction, so you can also start from Piani di Bobbio and head toward Piani d'Artavaggio. It doesn't present high technical difficulty, but offers pleasant exposure and magnificent views, making it a perfect choice for those taking their first steps in this type of activity.

The character of the route is primarily scenic and introductory, with technical commitment limited to short protected sections that break up the walking on trails and ledges. The rock, solid and compact, allows for safe and enjoyable progression. This route can serve as an interesting approach to other ferratas in the area, such as the Ferrata Mario Minonzio or the Ferrata dello Zucco Pesciola, which develop above Piani di Bobbio. From Rifugio Lecco, for the former, continue toward Vallone dei Camosci; for the latter, follow the signs along the trail before Bocchetta di Pesciola. Given the overall length of the options described, linking more than these two ferratas is challenging. For a different combination, you could consider the short Ferrata della Galleria di Morcate or ferratas in Valchiavenna, like the Ferrata Succetti or the Ferrata Biasini.