The crossing of the Grigne on Lake Como

The path that we propose today will allow you to achieve two of the most beautiful peaks (if not the two most beautiful) overlooking Lake Como: the Grignetta (or Southern Grigna, with its 2.184mt) and the Grignone (or Northern Grigna, with its 2.410mt).

This itinerary will give you wonderful views of the Lecco branch of the lake and on mountains of Valsassina, crossing stupendous and very varied landscapes, wild in some stretches, which sometimes recall those Dolomites.

The entire loop tour is suitable for expert hikers (in fact, in addition to requiring a fair amount of physical effort due to development and height difference, in some sections the paths are technical, require the use of chains, and are exposed), but the less trained however, they can cover some stretches of it.

Since this is a fairly long ride, the meeting point is in the parking lot of the Resinelli plans has been fixed for 7. From there we walk towards the Carlo Porta refuge, behind which the path to the Cresta Cermenati begins which will lead us (in about 1h30min) to the Bivacco Ferrario, at the top of the Grignetta.

There are also other alternatives to reach the summit (including, for example, the Cecilia path from Rosalba refuge, the Sinigallia crest, the Segantini ridge), but this is the path which, despite the demanding slopes, presents the least technical difficulties (there is only a short final section where the aid of chains may be necessary).

If you want to walk this path distinctly from the rest of the itinerary, I suggest you do it in the late afternoon, to be able to admire the crazy sunset colors from the top.

Thanks to Christine Pozzi for sending us some shots of the trail.

Behind the bivouac we follow the indications of the High crossing up to the Federation gully, which we cover downhill with the help of some chains.

This part of the itinerary (up to Bivacco Merlini) is not suitable for people who suffer from vertigo (there are some exposed sections) or who don't feel at ease climbing (or rather disclimbing) on easy rocks.

After a short stretch on scree, we walk along the semi-flat path of the Champion basin, until you reach the saddle of the Grigna hole (where the path that leads to Rifugio Elisa crosses).

We now begin to climb (often with the help of chains) between rocky pinnacles and grassy crests, continually enjoying the view of the lake and the mountains of the Valsassina.

Having reached the Merlini bivouac, we follow the path which, without any technical difficulty, leads us to the Brioschi Refuge and in top of the Grignone.

After a quick lunch and a few photos, we begin the descent following the summer route, which with steep slopes allows us to reach the Antonietta refuge at Pialeral.

If you don't feel like tackling the Traversata Alta (but you're still reasonably well trained), you can reach it top of the Grignone starting from Balisio, then following the winter route uphill and the summer route downhill.

I advise you to organize this excursion during the month of October, when you can admire the beautiful autumn colors.

Thanks to Christine Pozzi for sending us some shots of the trail.

We now follow the mule track that leads to the Alpe Cova lake, where it begins Low Crossing: a beautiful path that develops inside a beech forest, and that with continuous ups and downs takes us back to the Plans of the Resinelli (in Pian delle Fontane).

There Low Crossing it is easily passable (in both directions) even by less trained hikers and families (no pushchairs).

We thank the author of the article Christine Pozzi, our super creator.