The Via Ferrata Fausto Susatti is classified as an 'easy to moderate' (A/B difficulty) ferrata, making it one of the most accessible ridge-climbing routes in the region.
The mountain served as a front-line defensive position for the Austro-Hungarian army during World War I.
The trail passes through restored military tunnels that allow hikers to traverse inside the mountain ridge.
The summit offers a 360-degree view that includes the Brenta Dolomites to the north and the expansive basin of Lake Garda to the south.
The name 'Cima Capi' refers to the mountain's position as a focal point, or 'head,' of the ridge overlooking the narrow northern throat of the lake.
Cima Capi is a prominent peak rising directly above the northern end of Lake Garda, accessible via the Via Ferrata Fausto Susatti. The trail climbs steep ridges that provide unobstructed aerial perspectives of the lake and the Sarca Valley. The route incorporates tunnels, trenches, and fortifications dating back to the First World War when the mountain served as a strategic military outpost. Hikers reach an elevation of 909 meters above sea level upon arriving at the summit. The ascent involves significant exposure, requiring climbers to use steel cables, iron rungs, and ladders bolted into the limestone cliffs. Hikers typically connect this route with the nearby Cima Rocca for a longer circuit through historical defensive infrastructure. The path is characterized by Mediterranean scrub vegetation at lower elevations transitioning to rocky terrain near the top.
The summit cross at Cima Capi provides a panoramic view looking directly down into the blue waters of Lake Garda.
Wear specialized via ferrata gloves to improve grip on steel cables and prevent abrasion.
Start the hike very early to avoid the heat of the midday sun, as much of the route is fully exposed.
Ensure your harness, helmet, and energy-absorbing lanyards are inspected before starting the climb.
Attempting the ascent during thunderstorms, as the steel cables conduct lightning; venturing onto the route without a climbing helmet.
Best accessed between April and October; snow or ice can make the route hazardous during winter months.
Use via ferrata gear (harness, shock-absorbing lanyard, helmet); yield to faster climbers at designated passing points; do not remove or disturb historical artifacts found along the route.
