The Dorsale del Triangolo Lariano: from Brunate to Bellagio

• First stage: Brunate - Pian del Tivano
• Length: 18 km
• Duration: ore 6:30
• Altitude at departure: 715 m
• Highest point of the stage: 1.297 m (on the ridge 1.436 m)
• Overall height difference: 820 m (along the ridge 1.187 m

From Como you can reach Brunate in 8 minutes with the funicular that allows you to enjoy an exceptional view of the city, the first basin of the lake and the surrounding mountains. From Piazza Bonacossa go up to the left and walk towards the church of S. Andrea. On the left of the church, follow the signs of the pedestrian path to San Maurizio.

Following the signs, go up to the villas and gardens, crossing several times the road. When you reach the square of S. Maurizio (906 m - 0.30 hours), we suggest a small deviation to the Faro Voltiano, built in 1927 to commemorate the physicist Alessandro Volta, born in Como. Back on the route, ignore the road that leads to the peaks and, on the left side of the square, follow the indication of the flags, taking a wide mule track uphill through a wood (at every fork keep to the right) that leads to the side of the small church of S. Rita, located at the entrance of Piazzale C.A.O. After the Piazzale, take the carriage road on the left that passes immediately in front of the C.A.O. refuge (980 m - hrs. 0). (980 m). Enter a wood to reach Baita Carla (997 m).

From Baita Carla continue on the wide cartroad, crossing the slopes of Pizzo Tre Termini at high altitude, up to Baita Bondella (1,075 m) from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Alpine chain, the Maritime Alps and the small lake of Montorfano. Proceed to the Ristoro del Boletto Fabrizio (1,180 m - 0.50 hours; 1.20 hours). Shortly after the restaurant, after a short uphill stretch, you can choose between the "Dorsale per Cresta" on the right and the "Dorsale" downhill on the left. The "Dorsale per Cresta" climbs to the summit of Boletto (1,236 m) and then takes the "Dorsale" back to Bocchetta di Molina in 0.50 hours. The "Dorsale" passes instead from the north side of the Colme with a wonderful view of Lake Como and the surrounding peaks. After a stretch at high altitude, you descend to Bocchetta di Molina below (1,116 m - 0.40 hours; 2.00 hours) near the former S. Pietro hut.

Continuing on the path of the Dorsale, you come almost immediately to a fork with signs. The path on the right is the "Dorsale per Cresta" that leads in 0.45 hours to the summit of Mount Bolettone (1,310 m) and then descends to Bocchetta di Lemna where the Dorsale is resumed (total time 1. 10); the path on the left is the flattest path of the "Dorsale" that crosses a beautiful beech wood ("Senteé di Foo"), passes under the north slope of Mount Bolettone and arrives at Bocchetta di Lemna (1,115 m - 1.10 hours; 3.10 hours) at the end of the north-east ridge of Mount Bolettone. (Attention: The Senteé di Foo is exposed to the north; in case of winter snowfall the slippery conditions remain until late spring). From the pass it is possible to reach the Mara Hut in 0.15 hours.

From Bocchetta di Lemna continue in a northerly direction. There is a splendid view of the valleys of Caslino d'Erba and the Resegone and Palanzone mountains. A little further on, you can choose whether to take the "Dorsale per Cresta" and in 0.25 hours climb up to Pizzo dell'Asino (1,272 m) or go along the wooded eastern side of Pizzo.After passing two small valleys, you reach Bocchetta di Palanzo (1,210 m - 0.40 hours; 3.50 hours), situated between Val di Cairoad west and Valle Piotad east, a real crossroads of paths.

At the crossroads beyond Bocchetta di Palanzo you can choose to: a) go along the "Dorsale per Cresta" going up in 0.45 hours to the peak of Monte Palanzone (m 1. 436), where there is a small pyramid-shaped stone chapel, and then go down along the crest on the opposite side reaching Bocchetta di Caglio (total time 1.10 hours) or b) continue along the "Dorsale", flanking the west side of Mount Palanzone to reach Rifugio Riella (1.275 m - 0.10 hours; 4.00 hours). From here you have a beautiful view of Lake Como, Faggeto Lario and the surrounding mountains. A hundred meters beyond the refuge there is a fountain and a little further on you can see the entrance, closed by a gate, of Grotta Gugliemo, one of the about 70 underground cavities that characterize this karst area. Immediately afterwards you arrive at the Cippo Marelli (1,293 m) and the Bocchetta di Nesso. You pass the extensive meadows of Preaola, remaining at altitude and going around Mount Palanzone. The view sweeps over the Pian di Nesso and the S.Primo group. Follow flat stretches alternating with short ups and downs that lead to Bocchetta di Caglio (1297 m - 0.20 hours; 4.30). Here you start climbing again, ignoring the path on the right that descends to Caglio (1.30 hours - bus stop C37 Asso-Sormano - only on weekdays). You flank Mount Croce (1,351 m) and continue on a wide track until the beginning of Braga di Cavallo (1,350 m), where you can see an isolated group of beech trees. Turning right, you descend steeply to Mount Pianchetta (1,243 m) below. Continue the long, steep descent on the ridge, up to Colma di Caglio (1.129 m - 0.30 hours; 5.00 hours) where, in front of Mount Falò (1.182 m), there is a fork: the path on the right leads to Caglio (1.00 hours), while the Dorsale continues on the left along the wide dirt road up to Colma del Piano or Colma di Sormano (1.124 m - 0.20 hours; 5.20 hours) - a refreshment point. At the Colma, the historic Stoppani hut has been transformed into a small astronomical observatory of the Gruppo Astrofili Brianza (Tel.031 684773).

N.B. At this point you can choose to stop the trek and go down to Pian del Tivano, (possibility of overnight stay and bus stop for Nesso) or continue, without going down to Pian del Tivano, to enter the second stage at Alpe Spessola. Those who choose to continue must pass the Colma Restaurant to take the wide cartroad that leaves to the left of the paved road 50 meters below the restaurant (signs Alpe Spessola - Bocchetta di Terrabiotta). Climbing very gently through the woods, you'll pass Colma del Bosco (1.233 m) and continue on the cartroad until Alpe Spessola (1.237 m - 1,00 hours from Colma).

Those who choose to interrupt the trekking, from Colma continue on the carriage road on the left that leads to Pian del Tivano (973 m - 0.40 hours; 6.00); bus stop C32 Como-Nesso-Pian del Tivano.

• Second stage: Pian del tivano - Bellagio
• Length: 15 km
• Duration: ore 5,30
• Altitude at departure: 973 m
• Highest point of the stage: 1.536 m (on the ridge 1.685 m)
• Overall height difference: 579 m (along the ridge 926 m

The Pian del Tivano (957 m) can be reached by bus C32 Como-Nesso. It is a vast karst basin surrounded by the slopes of Mount S. Primo, Mount Cippe and the Braga di Cavallo; towards the west it is barred by the "Dosso", a moraine deposited by the Larian glacier. The plan offers numerous opportunities for recreation and sports in both the summer and winter months. Those who reach Pian del Tivano by bus continue from the bus stop for about 1 km on the paved road.

At the Binda restaurant, take the agricultural road that goes up the Val di Torno. Past the farm "La Conca d'Oro" you arrive at Alpe del Ciuchetton. At the crossroads, after the alpe, continue on the farm road towards Alpetto di Torno (1,131 m) and then reach the stables of Alpe Grossa (1,150 m - 0.30 hours). In front of the building, take the farm road on the right, cross a small valley and after about 50 meters go up the steep meadows, following the jeep track through the grass. Keeping to the left near the fence, you'll reach the overhanging cartroad, in Alpe Spessola (1.237 m - 0.40 hours; 1.10 hours). From here you continue, following the uphill cartroad on the left, with a wonderful view of the Grigne, the Corni di Canzo and the Val di Torno. After a couple of hairpin bends you pass a small water "bubble" (artificial watering trough for the pasture) and then you arrive at Alpe di Terra Biotta (1.536 m - 0.30 hours; 1;40).
After about 100 meters you reach the top of Terra Biotta. From here you have an exceptional view of the promontory of Bellagio and the surrounding mountains: it is one of the most beautiful images of the Larian Triangle! Now you can choose the "Dorsale per Cresta" and reach in about 1 hour the top of Mount S. Primo (1.685 m), and then descend along a steep path to the Martina Hut (Alpe dei Picètt) and from here to the Alpe delle Ville (0.45), to resume the Dorsale there. Or, those who follow the "Dorsale", take the right to the meadow to reach another small bubble. Follow the path that descends to Alpe del Borgo (1,180 m - 0.30 hours; 2.20). The alp is active during the summer months for the production of milk and dairy products. From the alp, continue on the agricultural road that descends to Borgo S. Primo (1,107 m). After passing the restaurant "La Baita", you come out on the carriage road where you immediately turn left. After passing the former Colonia Bonomelli, you reach the Alpe delle Ville entering a pine forest of spruces. At the exit of the pine forest, just before the junction to Rifugio Martina, leave the carriage road and turn right near a small house. Continue along a path through a forest of beech and sycamore trees that leads to the Paum mountain pasture (957 m - 0.45 hours; 3.15 hours). Now continue on the carriage road, always downhill, with a beautiful view of the Grigne and the villages "Pra Filippo" and "Cernobbio", situated on the other side of the Valle del Perlo.
Keeping on the carriage road you pass the junctions for Bocchetta di Lezzeno and Bocchetta del Monte Nuvolone, where the Dorsale per Cresta passes, to finally reach Rovenza (724 m - 0.40 hours; 3.55 hours). At the fountain turn left, ignoring the carriage road that on the right leads to Piano Rancio and Cernobbio. Walk through clearings and meadows to reach an isolated chapel where you turn right. Pass through a small valley to reach the locality of Brogno (582 m - 0.35 hours; 4.30). You come out on a carriage road that you follow to the left with a view of the path that descends from the belvedere of Monte Nuvolone. Go along the fences of some beautiful villas and then take the mule track on the right to Bellagio (signpost).
You will reach Begola (560 m - 0.10 hours; 4.40 hours), a grassy plateau with two farmhouses. Continuing steeply downhill, with long stretches of serpentine stone steps, the path crosses a chestnut wood to reach Mulini Del Perlo (362 m - 0.20 hours; 5.00). Crossing a carriage road, go down to the left on a wide mule track. After about ten meters you will come to a fork, where you turn right. There is a wonderful view of the meadows of Cagnanica below.
Past the farmstead and the pinewood on the left, you'll get into "Via Sussana" that you'll follow downhill on the right. After 100 meters you take the "Vicolo del Selvetto" on the right, which goes down to the little bridge on the Perlo and you immediately reach Piazza S.Andrea, in the village of Guggiate (230 m - 0.30 hours; 5.30), a hamlet 2 km far from Bellagio. Here the trek ends. On the state road we find the bus stop for the return to Como or to reach the nearby Bellagio. Bellagio's pier is 1.5 km away.