Care-Alto-Via-Cerana

Carè Alto - Cerana Ridge

A rewarding two-day alpine climb in the Adamello massif, far from the crowds. The east ridge of Carè Alto, known as the Cerana Ridge, is clearly visible from the mountain hut below. It is the mountain's most direct and elegant line of ascent and is often combined with the descent via the normal route, creating a varied and complete alpine circuit.

Only slightly more demanding than the normal route, the Cerana Ridge is an excellent objective for those looking to gain confidence on alpine ridges, combining easy rock climbing with snow and glacier travel.

These glaciers witnessed some of the most significant battles of the First World War, in what became known as the White War of the Adamello. The landscape still preserves many traces of that period. During the ascent you pass the former Austrian defensive line, where two artillery guns remain in place, while near the summit you can still see the remains of stone and timber military shelters together with the large wheel of the historic military cableway.

Day 1 – Approach to Carè Alto Hut

The journey begins in Spiazzo, in Val Rendena, following the Val di Borzago to Pian della Sega, where the road ends. From here, a steep mountain trail climbs around 1,200 metres to Rifugio Carè Alto in approximately 2½–3 hours. The hut is renowned for its warm hospitality, and Gianni and his team will make you feel at home.

Outside the weekends, the hut offers a particularly peaceful and quiet evening.

Day 2 – Summit of Carè Alto

An early start before dawn, with head torches lighting the way. After around an hour on the trail, we reach the ridge where the First World War artillery guns still stand. Depending on the conditions, we continue either over snow or loose rocky slabs to the small basin glacier, from where the elegant line of the Cerana Ridge is clearly visible.

After crossing the glacier in crampons, we reach the most technical section of the route: a 30-metre Grade III rock pitch, which provides access to the ridge itself. From here, the climb follows the exposed crest, with enjoyable scrambling and short sections of rock climbing on generally solid terrain. Near the fore-summit stands the large wheel of the military cableway, installed during the First World War.

From the summit, the panorama stretches across the Adamello massif, the Dolomites and northwards towards the Bernina Range.

The descent follows the normal route, with a well-earned stop at the mountain hut before returning to the valley.

This ascent is recommended for fit mountain hikers with some previous scrambling or rock climbing experience who are looking for a rewarding introduction to classic alpine ridge climbing.