The Sentiero Attrezzato delle Foppe is a difficult path that connects the Piani dei Resinelli to the Rosalba Refuge, a gateway to the South Grigna, with a few but well positioned equipped sections.

How to arrive and approach

You can reach the Piani dei Resinelli da Ballabio, going up the panoramic road with its many bends. When you arrive at the hamlet you will find parking near the former Alippi refuge. From the parking lot follow the abundant indications for path no. 9, also called Sentiero delle Foppe. At first you can walk to the Foppe, a private asphalted road with moderate slope that leads out of the village; at a signposted crossroad you continue to the right increasing the steepness and following the white-red road signs up to the first equipped section (about 30 minutes from the parking lot).

The path

The first equipped stretch is immediately after a detritic canal: a chain ensures the most exposed passage. Continuing you leave on the left the deviation for the Mountain Towers Punta Giulia, Torre Costanza and Mongolfiera. A short distance away is the second short stretch, consisting of a pair of metal brackets and a fixed rope that helps to climb a short jump of rock. From this point the slope increases considerably and the equipped section ends, leaving room for a steep path in the woods. A third and last equipped passage — an easy wall — precedes the arrival to the Rosalba Refuge (1730m), destination of the route (about 1 hour in total from the first equipped sections).

Character and difficulty

Path with very limited technical difficulties: the few equipment present help to overcome the rare challenging steps without requiring real experience of ferrata. The altitude difference of 550m in 13km makes it a suitable itinerary for hikers who want to approach the paths equipped in a landscape of great beauty. Difficulty: Moderately Difficult. On summer weekends the path and the shelter are very frequent.

Period and safety

Recommended from April to November. The path takes place mainly in the wood and the equipment is easy to progress; however, limestone rock can become slippery in case of frost or rain. Pay attention to crowding on summer weekends. The Rosalba Refuge (1730m) offers refreshment and shelter in case of rapid deterioration of weather conditions.

Discipline

From the Rosalba refuge you can return to the Resinelli for the uphill path in about 1 hour (3 hours total). An interesting alternative is the descent to the Path Attrezzato dei Morti: from the refuge you descend briefly, then you turn left on a steep path with a stretch equipped on exposed traverse, which reports just above the first section of the Path of the Foppe (about 1h30′ from the refuge, 3h30′ total).

To match

From the Rosalba refuge there are many equipped and mountaineering routes on the South Grigna. From here you can continue towards Sentiero Attrezzato della Direttissima and towards Sentiero Cecilia. The Route GER at Monte Coltiglione can be reached from the same area of the Resinelli.

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