The mule track to Pigra

Pigra is a small village of 250 inhabitants overlooking Lake Como from an altitude of 881 meters, famous for being a scenic point and a crossroads of many paths.

The easiest way to reach the village is undoubtedly the Argegno-Pigra cable car, which in just a few minutes covers an altitude difference of over 500 meters, or the provincial road 13, which winds along the Val D'Intelvi, but there is also the possibility of reaching the village on foot, starting from Argegno, via a mule track.

The muletrack that leads from Argegno to Pigra is a well-marked path, suitable for both trekking and MTB. The route takes at least 1 hour and 30 minutes (with a good pace even only 1 hour) to reach the final destination and the inclination of the climb is not to be underestimated.

It is possible to leave the car at the parking of the square of the Parish of Argegno (alternatively at the Piazza Grandi Miro or Piazza Roma) and take the slope that starts from Via Cacciatori delle Alpi, just near the very narrow curve that precedes the junction to Val D'Intelvi.

From this moment on the road will always be uphill, without ever walking on the State Road, but often crossing it to reach the footpaths or skirting it thanks to the side streets.
The pedestrian road has cobblestone, paved and stepped sections until it reaches the hamlet of Muronico. Here, among narrow lanes, you cross the small village and finally you reach a crossroads from which two mule-tracks depart: on the left the mule-track to Dizzasco and on the right the mule-track to Pigra.

In order to reach Pigra it is necessary to turn right, as indicated, going up the path that becomes more and more wooded, unpaved, but also panoramic. It is impossible to make a mistake because along the way there are many signs indicating "Mulattiera per Pigra" and the purple-white colors will be a reference along the way.

The climb may seem interminable, but as you enjoy the marvelous panoramic views of Lake Como, Argegno, Nesso and the Val d'Intelvi, you can regain the strength to continue the journey. It is precisely these views that become wider and wider as you go up from hairpin bend to hairpin bend, sometimes going around farmhouses or renovated houses. Once we meet a sign indicating to pay attention to grazing goats and horses, we can assume that there are still about fifteen minutes to go before we arrive.

Before reaching the destination, in the last hundred meters we meet a small chapel dedicated to St. Anthony and the ruins of another chapel. Still some slope and of the returns before being able to see the top of the Pasquella mountain and to reach the church of Saint Margherita to Pigra.

Just a few meters from the church you can reach the Pigra cable car, from where you can admire a suggestive panorama of the lake and the mountains.

Another possibility for a breathtaking view is the Pigra lookout, which can be reached in just 10 minutes by turning right at the traffic circle after the cable car. From here we can see the top of Monte San Primo, Nesso, Argegno, the Promontorio del Balbianello, the Isola Comacina, Bellagio and the Tremezzina.

Although it is a demanding hike with a steep incline, this route offers magnificent views and enchanting panoramas and takes us to a small mountain village, which is also a starting point for various trekking opportunities.
From Pigra, in fact, it is possible to make numerous excursions both in the Val d'Intelvi and, following the Via Militare, traced out during the First World War, towards the mountain pastures of the various coastal municipalities: the Alpe di Colonno (1322 m), the Alpe di Sala Comacina, the Alpe Boffalora (1252 m), the Alpe di Ossuccio (1306 m) and the Alpe di Lenno (1493 m).

Possibility of parking at the square of the parish of Argegno or alternatively in Piazza Grandi Miro or Piazza Roma.