recommended route
Via Ferrata Signora delle Acque - Rio Ruzza
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via ferrata in Trentino-Alto Adige: Via Ferrata Signora delle Acque - Rio RuzzaVideo: Outdooractive – 3D Videos
A new via ferrata close to the Rio Ruzza waterfall, completed and reopened in August 2019. Now, the route is definitely more difficult and suitable for experienced climbers.
The most recent of all the via ferratas, short but absolutely spectacular. This is the classic modern ferrata where, apart from following the weak points of the wall, there is a concentration on the most spectacular passages, at times, creating these ex novo. It is the only ferrata which cannot be seen from the valley floor ans is only visible once you reach the starting point. It takes you up the ravine of the Rio Ruzza waterfall on the right side of the Ballino Valley.
After a pleasant walk through the woods, you will soon hear the sound of running water, and just around the corner, you come upon the high wall delved by the waterfall. This ferrata, sheer and athletic, climbs at times to the left, then switches to the right of the waterfall, connected by airy, photogenic hanging bridges. After an hour or so you come to the top where a forest trail leads you back down to Ballino.
Author’s recommendation
This via ferrata is a marvellous chance to cool down on a hot summer afternoon
Track types
Safety information
- Only do the via ferrata if you are reasonably fit and in excellent health.
- Do not do the via ferrata in bad weather, especially if it looks like a storm is coming.
- Do not do the via ferrata alone: if you have an accident nobody will be able to call for help.
- The risk of rock falls increases if there are others on the via ferrata or with wind or rain.
- Always check route conditions; in winter you may find snow and ice on some routes which make progression dangerous.
- Use proper safety gear (helmet, harness, ferrata kit with double self-locking carabiners and energy absorbing systems); put on your helmet once you get near to the wall. Rocks might fall before you get to the start of the via ferrata.
- During progression always keep both carabiners clipped onto the safety cable and when you pass the anchor points make sure at least one is clipped on to each safety cable.
- Only one person may be on any length of cable between two anchor points.
- Wear clothing suited to the altitude, the season and the length of the route: hiking boots and ferrata gloves to protect you from contact with the metal parts.
- Pay special attention on the easy parts where there are no cables.
- Always check the condition of the bolts and cables on the wall as they can suffer damage in bad weather. If you even think you see any problems that might compromise safety, turn back and let us know about the situation at .
- Always evaluate a few important conditions: the proximity to other crowds, all the gears available and the preservation of the route. Beware, YOU are ultimately and solely responsible for taking this path and the safety rules and features that goes with it.
- These instructions are no substitute for the specific courses held by mountaineering associations or professional guides. Unless you have experience doing via ferratas, it is better to go accompanied by a mountain guide.
Emergency number 112.
The information on this chart is subject to inevitable variations, so this means that none of the indications are absolute. It is not entirely possible to avoid giving inexact or imprecise information, given how quickly environmental and weather conditions can change. For this reason, we decline any responsibility for changes which the user may encounter. In any case, the hiker is advised to check the conditions of the places, environment and weather before setting out.
Tips and hints
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Facing a via ferrata requires knowledge of the right technique of progression and some training. If you want to try out this experience for the first time or check the use of the via ferrata set, we recommend that you contact one of our mountain guides: www.gardatrentino.it
- For further information on routes, activities, events and accommodation at lake Garda:
APT Garda Trentino, Tel. +39 0464 554444 - www.gardatrentino.it
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Access:
From the centre of Ballino follow directions for Cascata Sajant and in 20 minutes you come to the foot of the waterfall and the base of the ferrata (put on your helmet before approaching the wall – risk of falling stones).
Description:
A short ferrata but a strenuous and challenging one in a setting of greatbeauty beside the Rio Ruzza waterfall. Once you get over the first verticalstretch to the right of the waterfall (1), a series of rungs and a wire bridge (2)lead to a Tibetan bridge (3) which allows you to cross the hanging pool (4)at the foot of the main water fall.This first section is not particularly hard. Thesecond section (5) begins before the Tibetan bridge, and this is decidedly morechallenging and spectacular. The ferrata leads up a long vertical rock facewith a slight overhang on the right hand side of the waterfall. The vertical ascent is interrupted by short traverses on wire bridges (6) and at some points the metal rungs give way to footholds cut into the rock (7). This takes you to a ladder suspended over the drop (8) leading to the startof a typical Tibetan bridge which crosses the waterfall over 100 m abovethe ground. After another short stretch of rock, a second Tibetan bridge (10)leads to the final rock wall which tops out by the forest road that takes youback to Ballino.
Not suitable for beginners or children (even experienced climbers have to watch out because on some sections the safety cable is a bit too far of a stretch for younger children).
April-November (avoid when there is snow on the slopes aboveor ice which can come down from the waterfall)
Return:
Follow the forestry road to go back.
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Riva del Garda and Ballino are served by an extra-urban bus line with infrequent journeys. For info: www.gardatrentino.itAlso, from June to September the BiciBusTrek service is active with a stop at the car park from where this itinerary departs. For info: www.gardatrentino.it
Getting there
Getting to northern lake Garda / Garda Trentino: www.gardatrentino.itBallino is about 15 km from Riva del Garda. It can be reached by taking the state road 421 towards Tenno / Terme di Comano.
Parking
Several free parking spaces are available in Ballino.Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Garda Trentino trekking map – On sale in information offices in Riva del Garda, Arco and Torbole
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
- technical mountain clothing
- hiking boots with Vibram or similar sole
- via ferrata gear
- harness
- helmet
- gloves
- pickaxe and crampons (when necessary)
- a length of rope (recommended)
Statistics
- 1 Waypoints
- 1 Waypoints
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others