Ferrata Furcia Rossa III

Access

Parking at Capanna Alpina 5 euros. 

Introduction

Description

From the Capanna Alpina restaurant at 1726m, follow trail no. 11, which soon begins to climb with a series of steep and tiring hairpin bends up to the 2069m Col de Locia (50mins). Descend from the pass and after crossing the river on a convenient little bridge, continue on a comfortable plateau. Omitting the path to the right for Lagazuoi (nr 20) we continue on the path ignoring the diversions on the left for Piz dles Conturines. We are now in sight of the Malga Fanes Grande, just before which path no. 17 branches off to the right (1 hour from the pass). We thus begin to climb. After about 20 to 30 minutes we ignore the path to Monte Castello on the right and instead continue on the path now marked VB (Vallon Bianco). After another half an hour we finally arrive at the fork: on the left we go towards the Vallon Bianco ferrata, on the right towards the Furcia Rossa ferrata. It's not yet time to put on your harness, as you still continue on a path sometimes carved almost into the rock (watch your head!!) and it takes another 30 minutes before you get to the first equipment: stairs down to the path over gravel and sometimes unstable rocks, which allows you to cross the gap between Furcia Rossa II and Furcia III. We finally reach the first cables and the ferrata begins to climb decisively on metal ladders and other cables that finally lead to the base of a vertical drop to be overcome by means of stirrups. Once this obstacle has been overcome, continue following the fixed ropes: the end of the ferrata is now near. The path continues. A sign on a rock indicates the way to the summit, from which there is a stupendous panorama and where you can rest on a comfortable bench made from an old cannon. For the descent, we follow the path. The harness is still needed. At first you encounter a couple of ladders, then continue on gravel until you reach 4 or 5 ladders that allow you to lose height by crossing a very vertical drop. One last cable and you 're at the end of the ferrata. For the descent, there are several possibilities: we continued on the path with the intention of going to the Bivacco della Pace and from there taking no. 17, but seeing that the path first descends but then starts to climb again, we took a more direct way out on scree, to take the path (clearly visible from above) further down. From there we continue until we reach the Monte Castello junction, and then continue on the outward path. 

NOTE: Beautiful hike but very long. It takes about 3 hours just to get to the ferrata attachment, so calculate about 8 hours for the complete tour (including stops). Only to be done in stable weather. All the ladders on this ferrata are made of iron. There are reports from a few years ago of wooden ladders; these have all been replaced.