Discover Val Sorda Gorge: Valpolicella's Wild Via Ferrata Hike
Craving a gorge adventure with a dash of via ferrata? The Val Sorda trail near Fumane is one of the best hikes to do in Valpolicella, just outside Verona. From the Molin de Cao parking lot, CAI trail 238 dives into a wild, mossy gorge where chains, cables and iron ladders help you over slick limestone, stream crossings and little waterfalls.
Loop back past a cave and take a quick detour to check out the Ponte Tibetano, a suspension bridge swinging high above the valley. This easy-to-medium via ferrata in Valpolicella takes about 2-4 hours and is easy to reach by car. The trail is well marked but very slippery, so grippy shoes are a must. Stoked yet? Pack your gear and go send it!
Key details for Val Sorda Gorge: Valpolicella's Wild Via Ferrata Hike
Best Time to Visit
Spring-Summer-Fall
The shady gorge stays cool even in midsummer, and autumn paints the forest gold. Avoid it right after heavy rain, when the trail turns muddy and the rock gets even more slippery.
Difficulty
Easy-Medium
Rated EE (for experienced hikers) with short via ferrata-style sections: chains, cables, iron ladders and a beam across the stream. The path is very slippery but doable for sure-footed hikers. Not suitable for children and families.
Duration
2-4 hours
Our loop took about 2.5-3 hours including the detour to the Tibetan bridge and the cave. Add time for a picnic break or photo stops at the waterfalls.
Reachability
Car
Drive to Molin de Cao near Fumane, roughly 30 minutes north-west of Verona. The parking lot sits right at the trailhead.
Essential tips for your visit to Val Sorda Gorge: Valpolicella's Wild Via Ferrata Hike
Park directly at the Molin de Cao lot, right at the trailhead. It's usually not crowded, so finding a spot is easy.
The gorge stays damp all year. Mossy limestone, the iron beam over the stream and the ladders get very slick, so wear shoes with real grip and skip the route right after heavy rain.
Not sure-footed? Pack a harness and via ferrata set. The chained and cabled sections are short, but a slip on wet rock is no joke.
Hiking with kids? Val Sorda isn't suitable for children or families. Head to the nearby Parco delle Cascate di Molina instead, a waterfall park with an entrance fee and family-friendly trails.
The route is well marked. Our loop: up CAI trail 238 through the gorge, a quick out-and-back to look at the Ponte Tibetano, then down trails 2 and 3 via the cave. Check the route details before you go.
A phone light or headlamp is handy if you want to poke into the cave, and there's a picnic table at the junction above the gorge, which is perfect for a lunch break.
Useful links
Map
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