Lepontine Alps ~ 499 m.a.s.l.

Ferrata Montorfano - D

4.5 | 50

added by: Harald Maier

Predicting whether..

Perfect condition

Topo: Ferrata Montorfano (Topo)

Elevation: 250m

Parking: 45.9393°, 8.4407°

Ferrata: 45.941°, 8.4454°

45min
time

1h
approach

1h 15min
exit

750m
length

Features

Bridges

Description

Update information

Characteristics

Nice and airy via ferrata on Mount Orfarno. Rated D but not really difficult, there are plenty of installed steps, there is always a place to grab and put your feet. The only difficulty is two very short vertical parts but those have metal brackets as well. There are two tibetian bridges, which are good but the top cable a bit high, so the carabiner starts dragging.

Arrival

Arrive at the south-east corner of the the mountain, on Località Pratomichelaccio. There are few parking spots next to a utility building just where the zigzag road starts, see the map.

Approach

The original path is to take the zigzag all the way up, which is part of a hike to Cima Mount Orfano. However, as of 30 Aug 2025, there is a sign that says this route cannot be used and instead use a trail 1.4km up the road. A map is placed as well, but not at the beginning of the zigzag road, rather a bit further up, which is annoying.

Descent

There are a couple ways, the easiest is to go around the back which leads to the same trail that you go up, and just walk down in reverse.

The other is a No3 Mule track with is a Zigzag down, that starts right at the end of the ferrata. It is doable, however, there are some relatively steep sections, climbing on rocks and walking on ledges. Also, lots of thorny bush that can hurt you, or grab your clothes. The benefit is that the Rocky section is exciting and there is one part where the trail goes into a sort of cave.

Points of interest

(Multiple authors)

50 climbed

4.5

- wants to climb