Via Ferrata dell’Amicizia - Cima SAT
As you head off from the centre of Riva del Garda towards the base of the ferrata, you can see the walls you are about to scale rising sheer above you.
Pass by Bastione and Capanna Santa Barbara to reach the beginning of the Via Ferrata. As you ascend the wall of Rocchetta you can see the roofs of Riva del Garda and the blue waters of Lake Garda beneath your feet. Although the long series of ladders, slightly overhanging in places, are not technically demanding, they do require determination and you must not suffer from a fear of heights.
After 1200 m of ascent, the view from Cima Sat extends from south to north, from the basin of Lake Garda to the entire Sarca Valley.
Author’s recommendation
Rest Stop
VILLA MIRAVALLESafety 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 info@gardatrentino.it.
- 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, hints and links
- 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 Riva del Garda head up along the trail SAT 404 which takes you to the mountain hut Capanna Santa Barbara. Continue on SAT 404, then take SAT 404B to the start of the ferrata.
Route
After the first easy bolted slabs you come to the foot of a wall which you ascend by means of a 40 metres ladder (1). At the other end, you proceed on rocky outcrops until you come to a big rock wall. A first ladder 15 metres long (2) takes you to the 70 metres ladder (3). Finally a short ladder of just 15 metres (4) takes you into the woods and from there, a trail takes you to the rocky ridge bolted with cables and ladders (5) which takes you to the summit of Cima SAT.
Return
There are two options:
- from the summit head down the other side along a bolted section until the fork in the trail where you take the right hand trail, Sentiero dei Crazidei SAT 418, and then SAT 402 which descends to Riva del Garda
- descend the bolted section as far as the fork and then head left over ledges bolted with metal cables on SAT 413, leaving the trail for Bochet de Concolì on your right, follow the trail SAT 404 and then you come to the junction where the trail SAT 404 A goes towards Bocca d’Enzima. Go down to the left on SAT 404 where a short ladder (6) takes you to the chapel of Santa Barbara and to the mountain hut of the same name and from there you follow the trail back, where you started from.
Note
Public transport
Public transport friendly
The towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Torbole sul Garda, Nago and Arco – are connected by a number of urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point or in the immediate surroundings.
For up-to-the-minute information on timetables and routes: www.gardatrentino.it
You can also get to Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda by the public ferry service. For up-to-the-minute information on timetables and routes: www.gardatrentino.it
Getting there
Getting to northern lake Garda / Garda Trentino: www.gardatrentino.it
Parking
Free parking in Riva del Garda at the old hospital (via Rosmini) and the old cemetery (Viale D. Chiesa).
Pay parking at the Public Gardens Porta Orientale, Roman Baths, Viale Lutti (Ex Agraria), Monte Oro, shopping center Blue Garden.
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)
Questions and answers
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