The via ferrata Rio Sallagoni climbs an ancient escape route under the Drena castle. This via ferrata is easy and suitable for anyone who wants to try this activity but it is not suitable for children shorter than 1.40m. It is not very long and has few difficult parts but even the most experienced via ferrata walker will enjoy this route.
Stupendous glimpses of the beautiful countryside around. When you finish the via ferrata, it is well worth going to visit the Castle.
Via ferrata Rio Sallagoni description
From the car park, go uphill through an olive grove to where it meets a graded path that goes downhill and south to the right until you find the maps and tables at the start of the via ferrata.
The ferrata starts on your left between two cliff walls, close to the water. In the first part of the via ferrata, the route is horizontal and there are parts that have a small amount of ironwork.
At the end of the initial part you will reach a fertile widening between the rocks where there is a waterfall. Keep left and head towards the tibetan bridge which takes you to the right. The path goes on to the right with a series of iron steps and cables which are very easy to use. After about 10 minutes, you go past the torrent to go up a new well equipped part which is of medium difficulty. Be careful as this part can be slippery when the rocks are wet. Now you will find yourself at another Tibetan Bridge, shorter than the first one.
At this point you can either leave the path to the left going over a wooden bridge or else you can carry on on the right. From here-on the nature of the route changes. From the ferrata, there is a type of canyoning, made easier where it follows the torrent bed at water level and you can jump from rock to rock, steadying yourself with metal handrails in the most difficult parts.
The trek finishes where the river bed gets wider: sometimes it is just under 3m wide. You leave the path on your left going over a short ramp. From here you walk down to the main road and then back to the carpark. If you like, there are various short cuts along the road that cut out some of the hairpin bends.
Variant
There aren’t any variations to this route
Our suggestions
The hardest part is at the start of the ironwork equipped part. If you find it too difficult, you can leave the path just after the start
The first Tibetan bridge is about 20m long. If you don’t want to cross it, stay right
In the second part of the route you are at water level so take a change of clothes as you will get wet!
We recommend that you do both first and second parts
The via ferrata during the winter
You can do this route in summer and winter alike but it is best not to if there is a risk of ice.
Shelters, huts or bivouacs along the trail
La Quadra farmGiovanni Segantini n. 16 • 38074 Drena TN
At Drena close to the via ferrata Rio Sallagoni and Drena Castle
