Sentiero Attrezzato delle Cascate di Idro

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato alle Cascate di Idro (Idro Waterfalls Protected Path) is an excellent training ground for getting into technical hiking, combining easy access with a powerfully scenic environment. The route winds through the narrow, shady gorge of the Neco Torrent, where the constant presence of water and the vertical walls create a captivating atmosphere. The short length of the protected section makes it an ideal choice for a first experience, without sacrificing the allure of a true alpine setting. The option to extend the outing to the Croce di Perlè transforms a simple walk into a half-day hike, enriching the route with open views over Lake Idro.

Approach

The starting point is in the hamlet of Crone, on the eastern shore of Lake Idro. From provincial road 58, take a small side road that leads to the parking area near the Ristorante Bellavista. From here, follow the signs for "Sentiero delle Cascate" (Waterfalls Trail) along Via Coste. At the first junction, keep right, opting for a variant that will rejoin the main route further on. The path initially follows a dirt track through open meadows, with a gentle ascent. Soon, the trail drops decisively toward the bed of the Neco Torrent, signaling the change in environment. Upon reaching a small wooden bridge and a first waterfall, avoid crossing and instead continue uphill on the trail that climbs the left side of the gorge. This section, though still a hiking trail, prepares you for the more technical terrain and officially introduces the protected path after about 15 minutes of walking from the parking area.

Via Ferrata

The protected section begins abruptly, with two short rock faces immediately presented. Progress is secured by two fixed metal ladders anchored to the rock; the second is slightly longer and steeper than the first, though still elementary in nature. After these, the route bends left onto a grassy, moderately exposed ledge, also protected by a steel cable. This passage skirts a rocky spur, offering the first views from above of the waterfall below. The entire protected section is completed in just 10 minutes, for a total of about 25 minutes from the start. You then return to a hiking trail that, crossing another wooden bridge, allows you to admire an additional waterfall up close. The path continues without difficulty through a beech forest to a major trail junction, where you rejoin the variant left on the approach. To complete the short loop, turn left toward Crone, returning to the parking area in about 40 minutes total.

For those wanting a longer hike, at the junction instead keep right, following signs for the Croce di Perlè. The trail, initially offering panoramic views of the lake, gradually enters the Valle Serè through a dense mixed forest. At a subsequent fork, leave trail 451 (which continues right) and turn left for the final approach to the summit. The last section runs along a short ridge with easy rock moves, leading finally to the summit cross, reachable in about 1 hour and 30 minutes total from the start.

Descent

For the return, the most direct route is to descend the same way you came up. Whether or not to descend the protected section is left to the hiker, keeping in mind that descending the metal ladders still requires care. This option takes about 1 hour from the summit, for a total of 2 hours and 30 minutes. A longer and more fascinating alternative, suitable for experienced hikers, is to return to the last junction before the summit and, keeping left, take a loop route that touches Cocca di Idro, Cima Crench, and Punta Pelada, before returning to Crone. This variant, purely hiking in nature but challenging for its length and elevation gain, takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes total.

Useful Notes

The route presents no significant technical difficulties, and its protected section is more akin to a safeguarded trail than a true via ferrata. It is therefore suitable for beginner hikers, provided they have a steady step and no fear of heights. The metal equipment is maintained in good condition. The ideal time to go is spring and autumn, when water flows are significant and the climate is mild; it is not recommended during the hottest hours of summer or during the winter months, due to possible ice on the ladders and wet rocks. The short length of the main route also makes it an excellent option for linking with the nearby and more challenging Ferrata Crench, to create a more complete technical outing.