Sentiero Attrezzato Vidi

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato Vidi is a route of immense appeal, unfolding at altitude from Passo Grosté along the walls of Pietra Grande and the Orti della Regina. While it lacks technically demanding passages, the route is defined by constant and pronounced exposure, demanding a steady step and a good measure of composure. The reward is an exceptional panorama in one of the most secluded and wild sectors of the Dolomiti di Brenta.

Approach

The starting point is the top station of the cable car that runs from Madonna di Campiglio up to the Rifugio Stoppani at Grostè. Once in town, head toward Folgarida, where a large parking lot dedicated to the lifts is on the left. To reach the rifugio, you can opt for the convenient cable car or tackle the Sentiero CAI 301 on foot from the pass, which gains about 800 meters of elevation at a moderate grade in roughly two hours of sustained hiking. From the top station, follow the clear markings of the Sentiero CAI 390 toward the imposing mass of Pietra Grande, along a well-defined trail. After about twenty minutes, at the first red sign, you officially enter the Sentiero Attrezzato Vidi.

Via Ferrata

The route begins by climbing a few easy slabs, then enters a steep, gravelly path that leads to a broad, distinctive ledge where a commemorative metal plaque is located. The route continues north, gradually moving away from Rifugio Stoppani (reached in about 30 minutes from the start). The trail bends slightly left and soon enters a ridge path, where the first metal protections appear to overcome a narrow section. The walk continues, alternating short stretches on unsecured rock with gravel climbs, up to a first equipped gully, a narrow fissure to ascend.

Continuing, the trail skirts the massif and allows you to spot Rifugio Graffer below, the final destination of the traverse. This section is quite exposed and lacks protection. Depending on the season, an ice axe (in spring) or trekking poles (in summer) may be useful. You traverse a long ledge until you encounter a pair of ladders to climb, near a singular rock bridge. Continuing, you reach a new ladder, this time to descend, followed by a recess that presents no particular difficulties. The next ledge leads under a rocky overhang, where a bench dedicated to Natale Vidi invites a rest.

From here begins the steep final descent on gravel and scree, which takes about one hour and thirty minutes from the start to the junction with the Sentiero Costanzi CAI 336 (for Bocchetta Tre Sassi). Keeping right, you descend for another forty-five minutes toward the already visible Rifugio Graffer, reachable in about three hours total from the start.

Descent

From Rifugio Graffer, you have two options to conclude the hike. The first involves climbing back up in about thirty minutes toward Passo di Grosté and Rifugio Stoppani (for a total of about 3 hours and 30 minutes), from where you can take the cable car back to Campo Carlo Magno. The second option is to descend from Graffer to Rifugio Boch (2075 m) in about half an hour, where the intermediate cable car station is located. From here, you can descend by lift or continue on foot along the trail to Campo Carlo Magno, for a total hike of about five hours.

Useful Notes

It is important to consider that some passages, even unsecured ones, may require the use of crampons even late in the season; it is therefore advisable to be prepared with full equipment, a precaution valid for the entire Brenta area. Regarding difficulty, the Sentiero Attrezzato Vidi can be classified as easy, as the protected sections present no significant technical or physical challenge. However, the long exposed and unsecured sections must be emphasized, as they demand absolute surefootedness and should be carefully evaluated before undertaking the route.