Rocca di Badolo, Mountain summit in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Rocca di Badolo is a mountain summit rising to 476 meters (1,560 feet) in Emilia-Romagna. Multiple trails wind through the natural landscape and lead to the peak from different directions.

The via ferrata on the sandstone walls was first equipped in 1976 to reach the belays of the lower climbing routes and the starts of the middle and upper ones. In 2015 the CAI renewed the steel cable, making it tighter and more stable, and added a final section leading to the summit at 476.2 metres. The crag holds more than 180 climbing routes graded 3b to 8a+.

The vertical sandstone walls of the Contrafforte Pliocenico have long been Bologna climbers' training ground. Because the rock lacks natural holds, they carved and equipped the face; today the crag holds more than 180 routes graded 3b to 8a+, plus a via ferrata set up by the CAI.

Bring sturdy hiking boots and plenty of water, as the trails require moderate physical conditioning. It is wise to start early and be prepared for changing weather conditions.

The vertical sandstone walls belong to the Contrafforte Pliocenico, a Pliocene ridge, not to Alpine mountain building. Behind the small church, a door, a flue pipe and a small window are cut into the rock: a bunker whose keys are kept at the CAI Bologna office.