Monte Bracco and the Monviso crags

Imagine a myriad of sunny rock faces, rocks so special as to impress even Leonardo da Vinci, more than 1500 rock climbs and, above all though, the superb Monviso. According to the International Standardized Mountain Subdivision of the Alps the Monviso mountain chain belongs to the sector of the South-western Alps. This mountain area, strongly characterized by its symbol, the King of Stone, and the river Po that springs from the king’s glaciers, is culturally and environmentally unique. Between the folds of its valleys there are numerous crags that are internationally recognized for their beauty, the variety of the rock and the number of routes and these include Rocciarè, Lungaserra, San Leonardo, Rocca Bert and Monte Bracco, the latter of which is described below.

Monte Bracco
This cliff rises in front of the village of Sanfront and offers the biggest concentration of routes with technical grades from 4a to 7c+. The rock consists of a type of gneiss that allows a vast array of climbing styles, from slabs with small unevenness over vertical and pendant rocks to pockets and ledges. The optimal orientation of the rock faces allows climbing all year round except for the hottest months. More than 500 routes are situated on the sunny Monte Bracco rock faces which face South and East. The Falesia delle Ninfe, with its golden rock, offers some of the most beautiful climbing in the area. The Bracco Vecchio bouldering area is located immediately above the crag, immersed in an ancient forest, and with its 11 boulders and 90+ problems it is certainly one of the most important areas in the SW Alps.

TOPO: the crag Monte Bracco

Monviso Rock Climbing Festival 2012
The Monviso Rock Climbing Festival will take place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October 2012. The meeting is open to all those who wish to sample the delights of rock climbing in the Po valley. Click here to find out more.