Sentiero Claudio Costanzi

Classification

Starting Point : Passo Grostè - 2442m
Ending Point : Rifugio Peller - 2022m
Highest Point : Sasso Alto / Cima Sassara - 2894m
time requested : 6-8 h one way
signs : 336 (can be combined with Sentiero delle Palete: 306)
Difficulty : high
Hardness : high
Exposure : medium

Overview

The Sentiero Alpinistico Claudio Costanzi is one of the longest ferrate in the whole Brenta group. With a total length of just about 20 km it is a one day affair. There are however several possibilities to leave Sentiero Costanzi for the lower Sentiero delle Palete so that round trips are possible. The untimate challenge is the two day trip:
- 1st day: Sentiero Claudio Costanzi from Rifugio Graffer to Rifugio Peller
- 2nd day: Return via Sentiero delle Palete to Passo Grostè

As with all trails in the northern Brenta chain this ferrata is rather lonely. It traverses the northernmost ridge of Brenta almost on its top and you rarely meet any other climbers. This of course means that you need to be better equipped in terms of food and water. There are no refuges in between, only three bivouacs one of which (Biv. Pinamonti) is very close to Rifugio Peller at the northern end. Biv. Costanzi, is located at the center of the ferrata near Passo di Pra Castron, Biv Bonvecchio is located near the top of the whole route just below Cima Sassara..

Not all 20km are ferrata, however. The most difficult part lies between Cima Flavona and Cima Tuena, a beautiful tour along the highest ridge of the northern Brenta chain.

1st Stage: Rifugio Graffer - Passo di Pra Castron

The first stage of the trail leads from Rifugio Graffer al Grostè to the north along the lower walls of Pietra Grande. At this point Sentiero Costanzi is the lesser (or lower) brother of Sentiero Vidi. The latter follows the walls on their top, the former at their base. After the intersection of both trails directly west of Pietra Grande the sentiero torns east- and upwards and heads for Bocchetta dei Tre Sassi (2613m).

Up to this place it has been a hiking trail but now the ferrata ascent around Cima Flavona and up to Sasso Alto and Cima Sassara starts. The Ascents gets very steep at several places the cable security (or ladders are missing and it gets to be a very difficult ferrata. A little below Cima Sassara is Biv Bonvecchio, from where the characteristics of the sentiero changes and it becomes a nice hike along the summits (Paradiso, Cima Rocca, Cima del Vento, Cima Tuena, Cima Benon). At the end it descends to Passo di Pra Castron at 2505m.

2nd Stage: Passo di Pra Castron - Rifugio Peller

From the Passo the trail leads around Sasso Rosso (eastern side) and crosses the Alpe Nana in the direction of Passo de la Nana (2217m). Here Sentiero delle Palete crosses our trail but we head straight on towards the next pass, Passo della Forcola (2105m). A short way leads to Biv. Pinamonti and from there either around (eastwards) or over Monte Peller towards Rifugio Peller.

Possible Return/Escape Routes

Since most of the Sentiero runs along the ridge of the northern Brenta chain and since the weather there sometimes changes very rapidly it is good to be informed about escape routes. The western routes are to be preferred due to the proximity of Dimaro and Madonna di Campiglio.

- from Bocchetta dei Tre Sassi westwards through Val Gelada di Campiiglio
- from Bocchetta dei Tre Sassi eastwards through Val delle Giare
- from Passo di Val Gelada eastwards through Val Gelada di Tuenno (difficult!)
- from Passo di Pra Castron westwards through Valle del Vento
- from Passo di Pra Castron eastwards through Valle Madris.

Essential Gear

I would recommend a ferrata set: harness, short ropes and biners. Much of the trail is not secured by cables so you really need experience. Bring your own food and don't forget the water. And because of rockfall you better bring a helmet as well.

Images

View Sentiero Claudio Costanzi Image Gallery - 11 Images