Sentiero Attrezzato del Canalino della Balza Forata

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato del Canalino della Balza Forata is a moderately difficult alpine route made accessible by a system of fixed ropes and protections installed on the walls of the wild Valle dell'Abisso del Monte Nerone. The route unfolds across a vertical slab polished by erosion, alternating exposed passages with airy, overhanging ledges, demanding solid hiking experience. The goal is the striking Balza Forata, a rock arch pierced by a natural window that frames dizzying views over the valley, especially spectacular when lit by raking light. The itinerary, opened by Marche-region alpinists in the late 1960s, was equipped with fixed gear between 2015 and 2020.

The environment is dominated by imposing walls of massive limestone, defining a narrow, debris-filled gully. The route is not a linear via ferrata but a succession of vertical climbs on compact rock, horizontal traverses on ledges, and short walks over scree, giving it a discontinuous and varied rhythm. The experience is technical and panoramic, with constant exposure that heightens its alpine character.

Approach

The route begins at the Santuario di Santa Maria in Val d'Abisso (380 m), where there is a parking area. Passing the church on your left, take trail 201, which ascends the valley floor. After about forty minutes of walking, past an old mill, continue left staying on trail 201 (the right-hand path will be used for the return). Cross the stream and, shortly after, turn right uphill. At the next junction, keep right again, ignoring a branch that traverses mid-slope. This brings you to a wide travertine quarry, a flat open area with a bench, dominated by the white walls of Punta Anna. The starting gully opens right in these walls, to the right of the climbing routes. From the quarry, follow the trail to the left marked by red blazes, passing a solar-powered aqueduct. Just beyond, on the left, a large boulder fitted with a steel cable and a yellow rope marks the start of the equipped route, reached in about 1 hour from the parking area.

The approach takes place in a closed, humid valley environment, following a well-marked trail that climbs the valley floor. The pace is steady and progressive, physically preparing you for the effort ahead. Arriving at the quarry marks a sudden change of scenery, with the abrupt appearance of the high walls that foreshadow the vertical nature of the route.

Via Ferrata

The equipped progression begins here, alternating short vertical climbs with walking sections. Climb the slab following some old pitons until you reach, on the left, the entrance to the Canalino. Ascend this debris-filled groove using chains and fixed ropes to a first vertical section that is well protected. After overcoming a small wall with metal steps, follow the cable left, continuing along the gully on mixed ground of earth and rock, tackling other vertical passages to the top of Punta Anna. You then find yourself in front of a small cave, preceded by a slippery section equipped with iron steps. It is essential to pay the utmost attention in this sector, as it is full of loose stones that, if dislodged, can fall on rope partners below.

The gully develops as a corridor recessed between the walls, with often friable rock and unstable ground. The vertical passages are short but continuous, interspersed with brief stops on ledges or debris terraces, creating a broken and physically demanding rhythm. The exposure is progressive and becomes total once you exit the gully itself.

After climbing the slippery section using the steps and the steel cable, with good footholds, you reach the Grottone. From here, take a splendid, slightly exposed ledge. Following the rope and turning left, tackle a short section with steps and a rope, then continue on another ledge. Below us unfolds the last equipped section, which leads inside the spectacular Balza Forata, where the equipped route ends after about 1 hour from the start (about 2 hours total from the parking area).

The final section on airy ledges represents the panoramic and most exposed heart of the route. The progression is horizontal but technical, requiring balance and comfort with exposure. Arriving inside the natural window of the Balza Forata offers a spectacular rest stop and a highly dramatic conclusion.

Descent

After passing through the opening of the Balza Forata, keep left until you reach a steep descending scree slope. Crossing it, you reconnect with trail 201, the traditional path that leads from Santa Maria in Val d'Abisso to the travertine quarry. Following this trail closes the loop, returning to the quarry and from there, via the approach route, back to the starting point.

The descent is along an unstable debris slope, requiring careful foot placement. The pace returns to that of a mountain trail, allowing for recovery after the technical effort. Closing the loop along trail 201 offers a different perspective on the valley traversed on the approach.

Useful Notes

It is essential to maintain distance between group members, especially in sections with loose stones and where the cable is not very taut, to minimize the risk of falling rocks. The equipment is generally in good condition, although some iron steps show signs of wear, nothing dangerous. It is important to remember that this is not a classic via ferrata, but an alpine itinerary with protected sections and others completely unguarded. The technical difficulties of the equipped part are moderate, but the overall environment requires attention and experience. It is advisable to use the fixed ropes mainly as handrails and safety aids, avoiding hanging from them. In the area, on the same day, you can combine the beautiful trekking of the Orrido dei Cupi di Fiamma, with its waterfalls, or a stop at the charming Area Pic-nic La Chiusa a Pianello. As for other via ferratas in the Marche region, the only other currently feasible option is the Ferrata dei Piceni a Pioraco, though it is located at a considerable distance.

The itinerary requires careful reading of the environment: the limestone can be polished or friable, and the presence of debris demands a controlled pace. The rhythm is discontinuous, with peaks of technical effort in the vertical passages alternating with sections of relative rest. The character is decidedly alpine, where protection is an aid but does not replace competence in progressing over rough and exposed terrain.