Rocca Sbarua is one of the “classic” playground of Piedmont climbers, and it has been one of the first walls in Italy where climbing as training for big walls has been developed.
The best mountaineers from the Thirties, such as Boccalatte, Ellena and Gervasutti, tested themselves on its walls; after WWII Bianciotto, Rossa, Mellano and Manera started their climbing adventures there.
The climbers of Nuovo Mattino preferred Orco Valley over Rocca Sbarua – yet Motti compiled the first guide about Rocca Sbarua.
Its name doesn’t recall anymore the fear (“Sbarua” means exactly that, in Piedmontese dialect), yet it’s still one of the favourite destinations for climbers from the whole region. It’s very popular all year round, and its superbe granite buttocks, on the South face of Monte Freidur, a bit north of Pinerolo, present a wide selection of climbs in a location which is easily reachable from Turin and in front of “his majesty” Monviso.