Description
A short horizontal conduit (100 m) leads to the top of the first shaft (22 m), with which a series of vertical fissures begins that descend, 120 m further down, into the basal galleries of the complex.
Towards the north, the cave crosses the Enel artificial tunnel several times, joins the Grotta della Condotta di Val d'Ambiez (no. 241 VT/TN) and is lost between elevations 840 and 900 in the Caterpillar and Gold One branches. Towards the east lies the most important part of Collalto. Beyond the Vortex Hall and the Easter Siphon, passing under a series of short conduits (Eldorado) above the main one, one reaches the Fault Hall. A number of shafts ascend and connect, by means of short, steep galleries, with the central part of the Fantobus. In the direction of the Dry Lake, the First Hall is intercepted shortly afterwards and the descent continues through the Second Hall (90x20x20 m) and the Third Hall to the New Babylon Tunnels (-230 m from the entrance). The First Hall continues upwards with the Fantobus (steeply ascending) and the Ring Road, a sub-horizontal branch above the main shaft.
Between the Sala della Faglia and the Primo Salone, the Luna Park Branch develops to the NE and, to the south, under the Primo Salone, the Labyriskio conduits. The total development currently reaches 5300 metres.
Access: The Collalto cave can be accessed from Dorsino by following the road to Val Ambiez, until the motor vehicle ban, beyond which it is necessary to continue on foot. The entrance to the cave is located at the base of Crona Restela and can be reached by leaving the path in about 60 minutes. Caving equipment and experience in vertical cave progression are indispensable for access to the cave and progression within it.
For further information: Gruppo Speleologico SAT Arco - 38062 ARCO (TN)
Bibliography:
1) La Grotta di Collalto in Val d'Ambiez : two years of explorations and discoveries by the Gruppo Speleologico SAT Arco / Nicola Ischia. // IN: Bollettino SAT. Trento. A. 44 (1981), no. 1; p. 22- 24
2) Storia (semiseria) della Grotta di Collalto / Speleantropos [Nicola Ischia]. // IN: Yearbook / SAT Riva del Garda. Riva del Garda (TN). 1994; p.57-58
3) The Grotta di Collalto in Val d'Ambiez : a new important underground cavity in Trentino / Paolo Zambotto. // IN: Bulletin / Trento Mountaineering Society. Trento. A. 42 (1979), no. 1; p. 16-18
Main data Collalto Cave (VT-TN-446)
Municipality: San Lorenzo Dorsino
Mountain: Col Alto-Southern Brenta Dolomites
Karstic Area: VT BR 04 - TN
Entrance altitude: 1000 m
Height difference: +15, -230 m
Real development: 5335 m