Hiking on Grignone mountain, northern Grigna from Cainallo to Bietti-Buzzi refuge. Easy hiking route, suitable for families with children.

For this excursion to Northern Grigna, better known as Grignone, you must reach Esino Lario and then follow the signs for Cainallo.
IMPORTANT NOTE: as soon as along your driving you reach the Rifugio Cainallo, stop and buy the parking ticket directly at the distributor located near the entrance door of the refuge. Then continue with your car for a short stretch and reach the Vo of Moncodeno where you can park.
Without the parking ticket the fine is assured.

Hiking Data

• Departure: Cainallo – Esino Lario
• Time: 01:30
• Altitude: 1719 m
• Difference in altitude: 370 m
• Difficulty level: E
• Hut: Rifugio Bietti-Buzzi
• Download: GPX

Itinerary description

From the parking are take the path n. 24. The first first section in the woods is very simple and in about 40 minutes it leads you to the bocchetta di Prada, a partisan outpost during the Liberation War. Here we meet the bivouac 89a Brigata Poletti, dedicated to the Fallen who died fighting on these mountains.

Continuing on the path you will surely be amazed by the wonderful views of Lake Como that will accompany us along our walking.
A particular feature that this trail offers us is the great rocky vault of the Prada Gate (porta di Prada). This area is characterized by the abundance of wells and cavities, which highlight a developed karstic system.
After passing this natural arch it is possible to closely observe  an outcrop of fossils and the created cavities of karstism.

From this point so particular and appealing under several aspects you have to walk another hour to reach the Rifuge Bietti-Buzzi.
This trail is located in the Northern Grigna Regional Park.

This hiking route is also suitable for children, but prudence is obviously compulsory.

The Refuge Bietti Buzzi is the starting point for other hiking routes of different levels. In the nearby there are the most famous climbing routes such as the Sasso Cavallo, the Sasso dei Carbonari,  also the cliffs of the Pancaformia crest as well. These latter ones have been just opened and equipped by young mountaineers.

Cover’s image © eccoLecco

Articolo aggiornato il 4 October 2023 da eccoLecco