The Ferrata del Passo della Porta is a wonderful excursion equipped on the north and east side of the Presolana, up to the summit of Monte Visolo. The technical difficulties are moderate, but it is an old-fashioned, alpine way, with a great variety of passages in a challenging environment: landscapedly one of the most beautiful of the Orobies.
Departure from Colere (Bergamo), reachable from Val Seriana or, from Brescia, via Lago d'Iseo and Darfo. Starting point on Google Maps. Three options: with the CAI 403 (the shortest, passes from the Albani Refuge) you park in Via Carbonera and climb up to the Albani Refuge (1939 m, 2h 15'); with the Colere Ski cable car you reach Cima Bianca, the Albani Refuge (30') and the saddle; with the CAI 402 (without shelter) you start from Via Ole and climb to the northern bastion. In all cases you arrive at the saddle at the Albani Refuge and continue east on the CAI 326/401 (Sentiero delle Orobie Orientali) until the small rocks of the Colle della Guaita, where the ferrata begins (signavia CAI 401; about 2h 30' total with 403, or 2h with 402).
We start with two metal ladders and an easy traverse to the left until another ladder; then we go up a rocky channel (chain) holding first the right side and then, cross it (attention to possible snow), the left for about twenty meters. After an easy diagonal traverse on the left you climb a vertical ladder then rested and a short terrifying; a leap with two brackets and a ramp lead to another ladder, besides which, on chain, you pass a short vertical wall (rock a little friable). For an oblique ramp you reach the Passo della Porta, overlooking the Scalve Valley. Continue to the right on a short nod until a long and exposed staircase; a exposed but well-tended traverse on the left puts on a well-equipped path and short (at times not equipped) until a shorter staircase. There are rocky balconies equipped to climb the red boils, a nod that bypasses a rock and easy but exposed passages, then a canal with chain, a comfortable nod and a ridge path. Above a beautiful glacial basin you descend with the chain about fifty meters on polished rock (attention), you continue without ropes up to a right traverse that bypasses a edge and crosses the conca, often snowy but moderate slope. It goes up half-coast towards the opposite end, it wanders with a horizontal beam exposed and, ignored the deviation for the Eastern Presolana, rises the last vertical wall (doubles and chain) up to the summit of Monte Visolo (2h 45' from the attack; 4h 45' with the CAI 402 or 3h 45' from the cable car).
Itinerary long and varied, part of the Sentiero delle Orobie, accessible in both directions. Technically moderate, but alpine and in a serious environment: the Presolana is known for sudden changes in time.
The Ferrata at Passo della Porta was inaugurated in 1970 and is dedicated to the memory of Corrado Franceschi, who died during an excursion on Presolana in 1967.
From the summit of the Visolo you descend south on the Sentiero delle Orobie Orientali (ignoring the path to the right for the Bivacco City of Clusone) to the Baita Cassinelli Refuge, between meadows and mughi (1h 45' from the summit, 6h 30' total). From the refuge you descend on 315/316 and then right on 32 to Passo della Presolana (45', 7h 15' total); alternatively, before the refuge, path 33 to the right shortens the return.
The excursion is long, but remaining in the Orobie there are no alternatives: the difficult Ferrata Guerino Rossi at Pizzo Strinato, la Ferrata del Pizzo del Becco and, on the side of brescia, the Ferrata del Pizzo Badile Camuno or the hardest Arose at the Corno del Grevo.
- DifficultyModerately Hard
- RegionLombardy
- GroupPresolar
- Approach2:00 h
- Ferrata2:45 h
- Itinerary (a/r)6:00 h
- Hardware level difference370 m
- Route difference430 m
- Max2369 m
- Length10,7 Km


































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































