Ferrata Fiamme Gialle

This itinerary takes place in its entirety right above the hut of Rifugio Treviso, in the heart of the mountain chain of Val Canali, eastern block belonging to the Pala Group. The most interesting part of the route is possibly the ascent on the Via Ferrata Fiamme Gialle, that leads to the bivouac named Bivacco Reali; a place certainly less popular than the classic Via Ferrata on the Pala Group in the proximity of the huts of Rifugio Velo della Madonna and Rifugio Pradidali, yet no less impressive and fun.

The itinerary, although not very long, exceeds 1,500 m in altitude and has some challenging sections. Thus, It is advisable not to underestimate this trail and to pick a sunny day, in order to be able to admire the extraordinary sight offered by the summit of Croda Granda.

The route starts from the parking lot near the hut of Malga Canali, initially going up the wide and easy gravel road on the side of the Canali stream, crossing the plateau of Pian de le Léde (1,391 m asl) and proceeding up along the path of the Signpost No. 707 on the orographic left of the stream. After 13 hairpin bends immersed in the forest and about 40 minutes from the start, the path leads to the hut of Rifugio Treviso (1,630 m asl).

From Rifugio Treviso, the track continues towards the NE, always following the Signpost No. 707, until it reaches the bottom of the summit of Cima del Coro, where the crossroads of the location of Alberghét (2,067 m asl) is located, where the routes takes the path climbing E, leading to the start of the Ferrata Fiamme Gialle. Before reaching the start of the Via Ferrata, the trail crosses some rocky crags that lead to a grassy plateau, from which the mark indicating the start of the Via Ferrata is visible. At the start of the Via Ferrata you will have covered 5 km with 700 meters of climb, along a path that is gradually steeper but always well signposted with red marks.

The first stretch of the well equipped Via Ferrata, which overall does not have many extreme passages, is probably the most demanding one.

At the end of the Via Ferrata, you shortly reach a suggestive rocky plateau, isolated and rather inhospitable, where Bivacco Reali (2,595 m asl) is located, right above the gap named Forcella del Marmor.

From the bivouac, it is possible to walk to the top of the paak of Croda Granda (2,849 m asl) with a detour of an hour and a half (round trip). The detour starts by initially descending towards the crest of Forcella Sprit, to the E, from where a clearly visible path starts. The path goes up traversing the scree on the western slopes of the summit and leads to a first saddle on the S ridge of Croda Granda; once on the ridge, the track – marked with green or red signs leads, with a couple of easy climbing passages, directly to the top, where the iconic statue of Our Lady is placed. On clear days, the sight from the summit, located between the chain of Val Canali, the Marmor subgroup and the Monte Agnèr chain, is breathtaking, fully repaying the effort.

Once back at Bivacco Reali, the trail takes the path towards the S, which climbs at first the rocks of the summit of Cima dei Vani Alti and, after about 500 m, enters a steep valley. Steep but always well marked, the path soon leads to a small plateau where there is a red arrow drawn on a large stone that indicates the path (for experts) descending the gully of Vani Alti (which this route does not take). This is a strategic point from which to enjoy the view of the peaks of Sass d’Ortiga (2,391 m asl), Croda Granda (2,849 m asl) and Cima Sant’Anna (2,374 m asl).

The itinerary hence continues along the path called “Sentiero delle Scalette” which does not present particular dangers, despite being at times technical and not really well marked. From here on, it is essential to pay close attention to the red signs that lead to the intersection with the path of the Signpost No. 720 at about 2,000 m asl, which climbs from the shelter of Bivacco Menegazzi towards the gap of Forcella delle Mughe (also known as Forcella d’Ortiga or Forcella delle Grave), on a grassy slope that culminates in a rocky stretch requiring elementary climbing skills. It is advisable not to be distracted by the small forks preceding the arrival on the main one, located above Rifugio Treviso; Forcella delle Mughe is wide and has clear signs with visible traces that lead to the start of the Via Normale of Sass d’Ortiga.

From Forcella delle Mughe (2,244 m asl) the route returns to Rifugio Treviso by descending the wide gully of Vallone delle Mughe, along the Signpost No. 720, dominated by the walls of the summits of Pala del Rifugio and Sass d’Ortiga. Steep and technical but never slippery or dangerous, the path descends rapidly to the edge of the forest, among dense pines, and then leads directly to the hut.

From Rifugio Treviso (1,630 m asl), the route returns to the starting point by following the very first stretch of the hike backwards, along the Signpost No. 707 which, in less than 30 ‘, heads back to Malga Canali.

Paths

• From Malga Canali, go up the gravel road of the Signpost No. 707 towards Rifugio Treviso, crossing the plateau of Pian de le Léde (1,391 m asl) [0h 45],
• From the hut of Rifugio Treviso (1,630 m asl), continue towards the NE, along the Signpost No. 707, up to the bottom of the summit of Cima del Coro, at the crossroads by the location of Alberghét (2,067 m asl) which, on its track towards the E, leads to the start of the Ferrata Fiamme Gialle [1h 40],
• Climb up the Ferrata Fiamme Gialle, cross the gap of Forcella del Marmor and reach the bivouac named Bivacco Reali (2,595 m asl) [2h 30],
• [VARIANT] From Bivacco Reali (2,595 m asl), climb to the top of Croda Granda (2,849 m asl) [4h 00],
• From Bivacco Reali (2,595 m asl), continue on the path towards the S that climbs the rocks of the peak of Cima dei Vani Alti, cross the ridge and reach the basin of the Vani Alti [5h 00],
• From the basin of Vani Alti, descend along the path called “Sentiero delle Scalette” up to the intersection with the path of the Signpost No. 720 (about 2,000 m asl), then climb up again along the Signpost No. 720 towards Forcella delle Mughe / Rifugio Treviso [6h 00],
• From the gap of Forcella delle Mughe (2,244 m asl), head back to Rifugio Treviso by descending the wide gully of Vallone delle Mughe, following the Signpost No. 720 [6h 45],
• From Rifugio Treviso (1,630 m asl), return to the starting point by going back along the Signpost No. 707 towards Malga Canali [7h 30]. ✓