Timpa della Falconara

Timpa della Falconara

Timpa della Falconara, or often simply La Falconara, is one of the more remote peaks of the eastern extension of the Pollino massif and rather rarely frequented by hillwakers. It's a mecca for rock climbers, though. Like the majority of the peaks in this vast area also La Falconara features an impressive vertical rock face. Indeed, together with the enormous west face of Timpa di San Lorenzo, the perpendicular and pyramidal south-west face is one of the most striking sights of this sub-range. Although much lower than the 2,000 meter peaks of the central area, the slopes of these mountains are generally perpendicular, stark and almost devoid of any kind of vegetation that exceeds a few meters. The massive limestone slabs are bare, craggy and can show some very interesting structures. The vegetation on the more gentle slopes and that of the surrounding meadows is densely growing Mediterranean shrub. Especially in late summer the whole area resembles subtropical grasslands.

From the summit of La Falconara it is possible to enjoy a magnificent view on the gravelly lowlands that form the drainage of the Raganello torrent, the extensive beech forests at the foot of the mountains of the central part of the Pollino massif, the prolonged ridges of Serra di Crispo and Serra delle Ciavole, and the summit pyramid of Serra Dolcedorme.

Signposting is rarely found in this area and, apart from the dirt road that runs along the base of the south-east face of the mountain, there are no discernible hiking trails to follow. In order to reach the summit it is possible to use either one of the sharp ridges or to scale the central col which divides the summit from its northern foresummit. A full traverse is an easy scramble on compact limestone and probably the most diverting way to explore the mountain and its beautiful surroundings.

The south-west face and both the north and the south shoulder hold a variety of demanding climbing routes, in difficulty ranging from IV to VII+ (UIAA), i.e. from 5.4 to 5.10d (YDS). The quality of the limestone is surprisingly good when compared to that of some other mountains of the same area.

Note: The term 'Timpa' is another word for mountain (ital. monte) and usually indicates mountains that feature a precipitous rock cliff or a particularly steep face on either one side. It finds a use especially in the southern parts of the Apennine mountains.

Routes

1. Hiking and scrambling routes

1.1 South ridge (from Casino della Forestale)

Approaching the trailhead: In order to reach the trailhead of the south route you will have to take the road that from the town centre of San Lorenzo Bellizzi descends the valley in a northern direction. The narrow road itself is largely sealed but ill-conditioned and full of ugly potholes and ground waves.

There are several junctions for other locations. Keep on the most evident road and don't take the road that dips toward the location "Barile" and the opening of the Raganello gorge. After this junction, however, keep on the road that skirts the west face of Timpa di San Lorenzo. In case of doubt always turn left.You may leave the car at the roadside short before reaching the 'Casino della Forestale', a large stone structure (see image below). Make sure to not block the passage for other vehicles.

Note: 4WD only may also continue and park anywhere closer to the south ridge, or even continue on the dirt track and park at the foot of the south-west face. Even the small chapel Sant'Anna can be approached, but the road is pretty awful.

Approaching the mountain: Simply keep on the broad dirt track that keep rising for another bit before it turns sharp left and flattens. The western slopes and the south ridge of Timpa della Falconara are now in sight. A few hundred metres before reaching the farm houses at the onset of the ridge leave the dirt road and traverse the grassland. There is no path to follow.

Ascend: Close to the base of the first solid rocks is a fenced pasture. Should you come upon the fence follow it in a northern direction (right). Where it ends the slope gets steeper and the grass gives way to large limestone slabs. An easy scramble in a more or less direct line will take you to the south ridge.

The ridge is largely easy to follow. Halfway up, however, you will come upon a steep rock ledge. There are several possibilities to climb the ledge, but you may also circumnavigate it on the right and climb up again to the south ridge. From this point it is only a few hundred meters to the summit which is marked by a large heap of stones.


Descend/way back: From the summit it is possible to descend on the same way. More interesting however, is a traverse, or at least descending via the north ridge to the central col. From the col it is a short and diverting scramble up to the northern foresummit of the mountain. Back on the col you may descend in a western direction. Simply follow the goat track, close to the rock face of the foresummit. At the foot of the slope the view opens on the vast shrub land. In order to return to the trailhead turn left and traverse the meadows until you come upon a rocky protrusion of the actual south-west face. Pass is on the left side and keep close to the escarpment. There is a narrow ledge descending towards a scree ramp that eventually will take you to the dirt road. The ledge itself is fairly exposed and consists of one very long and rounded limestone slab. The limestone is rather slick, so pay close attention not to slip here, especially when the surface is wet. Take the dirt track in a southern direction and keep following it when it turns left and descends into the forest. After passing a number of farm houses you will reach the point where you left the dirt road.

Additional excursion: In case you should feel the need for a somewhat longer hike you may also visit the small chapel Sant'Anna and enjoy a splendid view from the cliffs to the bottom of the Raganello torrent. In order to reach Sant'Anna simply take the dirt road that runs from the base of Timpa della Falconara in a southern direction, towards the northern escarpment of Timpa di San Lorenzo. Right behind the chapel starts a hidden trail which runs along the base of the ridge and descends towards the cliffs, a drop of several hundred meters. At a certain point you will have to cross a small rivulets whose waters precipitate over the cliffs and down into the Raganello torrent.

Following the cliffs in direction of the north-west escarpment of Timpa di San Lorenzo you will enjoy fantastic views and find a natural arch and several smaller caves. Along the base of the north-west escarpment runs a not easily discernible trail that descends towards the bottom of the Barile gorge and the Raganello torrent.

This trail is called "Scala della Lamia" (engl. Lamia Stairway). It runs mostly across talus and scree. It has been washed out by rain and meltwater and is largely flanked or overgrown by thorny shrubs. Always keep close to the wall, as there is a lot of loose terrain and the slope angle is quite respectable. At the bottom you will come upon a natural spring, the so-called "Sorgente della Lamia", where water supplies can be refreshed. In the vicinity you may also pick up yet another hiking trail which is flanking the Raganello torrent and leads in a southern direction. It can take you to the location "Barile", situated between the vertical walls of Timpa di San Lorenzo and Timpa di Cassano. Along the base of the escarpment and at the bottom of the gorge rockfall is occurring. Hence, wearing a helmet is certainly a good idea.

1.2 North ridge (from "Lago Duglia")

Approaching the trailhead: The trailhead of an approach from the north, "Lago Duglia", can be reached from Terranova di Pollino. From the town centre take the country road in a western direction and follow indications for the location "Casa del Conte". Keep direction and cross the river on the metal bridge. The road turns south and gets gradually worse. After a while the road enters the forest and starts rising towards the trailhead "Lago Duglia". Leave your car at the pick-nick area where you can find also a well-spring where it is possible to fill your water supplies.

(Note: Because of snow and landslide the road may become impassable during the winter month and after heavy rainfalls and/or only approachable with 4WD.)

Approaching the mountain: Keep on the broad forest track that continues in a southern direction before turning east. After one kilometre you will come to pass the closed mountain hut "Rifugio Segherina". The forest track is now skirting the north slopes of Toppo Vuturo (1,671 m). After another kilometre the forest opens. Do not follow the road that swerves south but take take the hiking path that continuous in a western direction. From here it should be possible to catch a first glimpse at Timpa della Falconara. Keep on the hiking path and pass the first bigger rocks of the north ridge.

Ascend: Now turn right (south) and leave the trail altogether in order to scale the ridge. Occasionally you may come upon some sparse signposting (red and white) on larger boulders and rocks, but the reach does not pose any difficulty and may be follow in its entirety. After a short while you will reach the northern foresummit which will already award you with some splendid views (to the north: Terranova di Pollino and the reservoir "Diga di Monte Cotugno"; to the south-west: the higher peaks of the central Pollino massif; to the south: the wide plain of Bellizzi, the col and the north ridge that leads up the summit).

A real quick and easy descend will take you directly to the central col from where you will only have to follow the north ridge that rises in a semicircle to the actual summit of the mountain.

Descend/way back: For the return you may choose the same route, descend at the central col (to the west) and pick up the forest track that will take you back to your trailhead "Lago Duglia". Alternatively, you may complete the traverse and take the dirt road that skirts the impressive south-east face of the mountain. Also this road eventually will take you back to the trailhead.

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2. Climbing routes

By now there are dozens of interesting climbing routes on this cliff, both on the central wall ("Paretone") of the south-west face and along the walls beneath the north and south ridge ("Spalla sinistra" & "Spalla destra") of Timpa della Falconara. Some of those routes have been partially equipped with pitons and bolts, for example the straightforward "Via dei Bellonesi" (3 pitches, max. V-), "Araknophobya" (3 pitches, max. IV+) and "Thor" (2 pitches, max. V) - all three climbable with very basic equipment (quickdraws, some accessory cord, a few biners). The difficulty of the routes that run the central wall ranges, depending on the route, can reach a respectable VII+ (UIAA), i.e. expect pitches that reach from a nice and easy 5.4 to a trying 5.10d (YDS). Keep in mind that these long routes (up to 8 pitches) will have to be negotiated almost without any fixd protection in place.

Images

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