Via Ferrata Gamma 1
The Via Ferrata Gamma 1 around Lecco/Monte Resegone is probably one of the most popular routes for Via Ferrata around the Milan area. It has great views and is not too difficult making it accessible and enjoyable for beginners and more experienced people. There are a lot of ladder sections which have great exposure but allow you to get a bit of a thrill in a safer way. It never gets too technical, it is a fairly long Via Ferrata with 600 meters of elevation gain so it could be tiring if you’re not used to this. All in all, a great day out which leaves you content but not too tired. It is still a Via Ferrata and if you don’t have the knowledge and the gear you should go with a guide.
Statistics
Length: 6.5km
Elevation gain: ~700m
Time: 5:00h
Highest point: 1370m
Date: 13-10-2024
Classification: 2/5
Map
Map + GPX file
Route
From the parking lot you look to your right side where all trails start from the parking lot. It is clearly signposted and easy to follow. After leaving the road you go up on a wide trail into the forest where after 10 minutes you will see a big information sign about the Via Ferrata, here you take a left up to the start. It will take you about 25 minutes from the parking lot to get to the start to the Via Ferrata.
Get your gear on and start the via ferrata, you start of with a bit of a climb on the rock, going slightly to the right where you quickly reach your first ladder. The route consists of mostly ladders and a lot of good and easy climbing parts which are never too difficult, especially if you use the cable and pull yourself up, you can also challenge yourself and try not to use the cable at parts but just the natural rock to climb up. More or less halfway along the VF there is a kind of break where you can have a rest and if the weather has gone bad or you’re tired you can hike back from here to the parking lot. It’s what they call an escape route.
If you do decide to continue you have to walk a little bit up towards the left and then the VF starts again, this part is slightly more difficult then before with a slight overhang and less metal brackets. Soon after you’ll be reaching a suspension bridge (3 cables) bridging the gap between 2 walls. There’s also a detour if you don’t want to do it, but it makes for a great photo spot.
From here on up you continue onto some ladders where the terrain then eases up a little bit and you follow the ridge to then get to some more ladders. Hereafter you reach another bigger bridge which has great view, from here on up you’re almost done! A few more relatively easy ladders to go and you reach the top where there is a big cross with a small platform to enjoy the views!
After finishing the via ferrata you have a couple of options on where to go.
1: Taking the lift back down (cost €7,50 for a downhill ticket). The fastest and most comfortable way of getting down.
2: Taking the trail back down which I included in my GPX/map. A relatively steep and rocky trail which gets you down in about 1,5 hours back to the parking lot.
3: Continuing on with another VF (the Ferrata Gamma 2, which is way more difficult than the first one). Or obviously you can take another route up to the resegone or where ever you want to go!
There is a rifugio at the top of the VF, so if you want to you can have a break here with some lunch or some drinks.
Parking / How to get there
There are multiple ways to get to the starting point of the hike/via ferrata.
By car it takes you between 45 minutes and 1 hour depending on the traffic. The parking place is quite big and you have to pay in the warmer periods (already had to pay in april). The cost for the parking is €3 and can be paid in cash or by card. The exact location is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zz4fU59NZifh7xsy7
If you are using public transportation it will take you about 1.5 hour to reach it depending on where in Milan you live. You have to take the train to Lecco, arriving in Lecco you can take bus nr. 5 to get to the starting point. The train is around €6 each way and the bus is €2.
Extra information
From the Piani d’erna there are multiple routes that you can do if you want to extend your day. There are multiple routes up to Monte Resegone from here and even it’s more difficult brother, the Via Ferrata Gamma 2. If you combine these 2 in 1 day it is recommended that you have a good amount of experience with VF’s as the second one is significantly more difficult.
Pictures
I’ve done this VF 3 times now probably but I’ve never really gotten around to take a lot of pictures as I’m scared I’ll drop my phone, but there are a lot of youtube videos and pictures to be found on the internet.
Very helpful and interesting, thanks!