Ferrata di Rocca di Badolo (Contrafforte Pliocenico)

Vie Ferrate › Emilia-Romagna › Bologna
Ferrata di Rocca di Badolo (Contrafforte Pliocenico)
Moderately Hard● OpenDescriptionComplexityMapsGallery

The Ferrata di Rocca di Badolo dates back to the Contrafforte Pliocenico above Badolo, in'Appennino bolognese. The characteristic sandstone rock, covered by a thin layer of sand and sé rather smooth, è the dominant note: short but with some passage not to be underestimated, è un' excellent gym to improve climbing technique.

▲Approach

Exit from the 'A1 to Sasso Marconi, turn left on the SS 325 and then right towards Badolo; go up the provincial road for 9 hairpin bends and park on the road (at the ninth round an illustrative table; the wall è già well visible). Open road signs on Google Maps. On the way uphill a cultivated field up to the wood, continue straight towards the wall and, reaching it, is held the sinistra: in a few meters there is l' attack (10' from parking ).

▲The path

The route is divided into tre parts. (1) A first sloped wall goes up to a dihedron with a pioli scale; at the end a slightly overhanging wall requires attention (10' from the attack / 20' from the parking lot). (2) It climbs vertically on a smooth wall with carved cracks, then with the help of artificial brackets and holes; a short overhanging staircase throws out but, given the brevity, does not create athletic difficulties. You reach a large terrace (on the right the stops of the climbing routes, on the left continues the third part). (3) A wall of 6 meters (adjustable to the left) throws slightly out: without rope it serves attention, because in case of fall you risk to beat below. A short steep stretch of path leads to all' last wall, the diedro finale, the technically più point; challenging: the cable position and hooks pushes towards l' outside and requires climbing; è tight in some points and requires firm step and a minimum of technique, but è short (8 meters) and little tiring. It ends with a ladder that leads to the top of the summit plateau (30' from' attack / 40' from parking ).

Since 2022 there is a più variant; challenging, the « Traverso dei Magnifici 4» (dedicated to Oscar Belotti, Nando Stagni, Augusto Righi and Otello Olivini): a horizontal traverse in strong exposure that cuts the paretone of Badolo Alto. It breaks down to methylagrave; of the third section, avoids the final dihedron and does not take to the top in Rocca Badolo; può be also routed in reverse direction at the end of the itinerary, descending from the top to the streets of Badolo Altissimo (south) and following the sign at the monotiri, clockwise, then trace the final dihron. È classified «Difficile» and travel in about 5 minutes.

▲Character and difficulty

Itinerary not complex but with passages not to be underestimated for the nature of the arenary, smooth and sandy. Built in 1976 to facilitate access to the climbing sectors of Badolo Medio and Alto, modernized by CAI in Bologna 2015, with the Magnificent Cross 4 added in 2022.

⚠ On the Via dei Magnifici 4 it is a longe for the scarcity of supports. Absolute care not to move stones, especially if there are climbers in the cliff below.
▲Period and safety

Low altitude (maximum 476 m): practicable almost all year round, excellent as training. Route difference 100 m, development of the route about 2.5 km.

▲Discipline

From the top floor you descend from the opposite side following the steep tracks in the forest to a half-coast path, which takes you to destra; in a few minutes you reach a small church and, for mule track, in 10 minutes the provincial. It goes down again for a couple of hairpin bends up to' car (20' from the term / 1h from ' beginning of the ' itinerary).

▲To match

For those arriving from the northwest on the A1, it combines well with the Ferrata Pietra Nera (exit Salsomaggiore-Fidenza). In the Emilian Apennines, the Stone of Bismantova, the Alpine Ferrata and the recent West Ferrata; towards Tuscany the Ferrata Sant'Antone (Pisa) and the Ferrata Romana Nesi (Arezzo).

▲Gallery
Technical data
  • DifficultyModerately Hard
  • RegionEmilia-Romagna
  • GroupPliocenic counterfeit
  • Approach0:10 h
  • Ferrata0:30 h
  • Itinerary (a/r)1:00 h
  • Hardware level difference100 m
  • Route difference225 m
  • Max476 m
  • Length2,5 Km