Eremo di San Colombano take its name from the beautiful hermitage nestled in the middle of a huge overhang over Leno river. The area is stunning and the hermitage absolutely deserves a visit.
The crag serves well the more experienced climbers, since the routes are generally hard and overhanging. The difficulties goes from 6a to 8b, but there are also projects that could be around 9a. The equipment is generally good, but examine the routes carefully before climbing, cause some of them (very few) need maintenance. Some lines can be climbed also when it is raining.
This topo groups sectors spreaded on two walls facing each other: sectors Aria, Terra, Fuoco and Acqua are on the same side of the hermitage. Their access is sensitive to its opening hours: from 13 of June to 29 of September, the the visits are allowed from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00, but during August it is possible to climb all days, cause the gate at the entrance is always opened. Sector A is on the opposite side and it is always possible to climb here.
The hermitage of San Colombano dates back to the X century.
The first routes were set up by Renzo Vettori in 1984, then Stefano Ghidini, strong local climber, took part in the work and bolted and freed the hardest lines. Other equippers of the crag are Michele Bort, F. Agosti and G. Scrinzi.
The area is access sensitive!
Arrival:
Head to Rovereto and reach the roundabout close to the “Poli” supermarket. This roundabout is just before the large roundabout in front of the train station if you come from Arco, while it is just after if you arrive from Trento. At the roundabout take the exit towards Isera, then at the next one head to centro storico / S. Colombano. Drive straight following San Colombano indications till you get to a church, where you have to keep the right and after 280 meters you will get to the war museum. Now drive on the main road for 1.9 km till you reach a small bridge. Go over it and take the road on the right with the indications to eremo di San Colombano / centrale San Colombano. Go downhill the road till its end and park your car.
Sectors:
To reach sector A you have to come back on the paved road, get to the bridge and cross it. Go over the junction with the road on the right, then look for a path on the right side of the road that in about 5 minutes lead to the sector.
To reach all the other sectors reach the small bridge with the gate and cross it. You will easily get to the base of the crag. The approach to Aria and Acqua sectors is along exposed ledges, so pay attention.
NOTE: the access to sectors Aria, Terra, Fuoco and Acqua are sensitive to the opening hours of the hermitage: from 13 of June to 29 of September, the the visits are allowed from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00, but during August it is possible to climb all days, cause the gate at the entrance is always opened.
Sector A is always accessible.