San Martino Chapel path

Lecco

Hiking on Lecco mountains
San Martino: path to the Chapel

San Martino is a must to do hiking if you like walking and experience mouintains and what they offer.
The hiking we are going to introduce you it’s not demanding, but it requires a bit of training, cause the difference in altitude is great and there aren’t flat part.
If you like to do it in summer period, we recommend you to do in the morning cause in the afternoon is really hot.

How to get to the path starting point

This itinerary starts from the district of Rancio in the northern part of Lecco.
By car drive along the old road to Valsassina, cross the bridge on Gerenzone torrent and after a short rise you arrive to a curve, stop and turn left into Via Quarto. Go straight on until to reach the cemetery of Rancio Alto. Here you can find a parking area.

Now proceed walking into the narrow streets of Rancio Alto until to reach a small square where you find the indication of path n.52.
Walk along, pass a villa and you see a stone staircase. Take it and you are on the right path to San Martino. The very first part is quite plain, but then the ascent is steep.
After 45 minutes you arrive to the Chapel of San Martino, dedicated to Madonna del Carmine, and here you can enjoy a wonderful view on Lake Lecco, Lakes Briantei, Lake Garlate and Olginate and all the surrounding landscapes.

From the Chapel you can decide to keep on walking to reach Piazza refuge following sign n.52 (10 minutes) or otherwise reach the Cross taking the path Silvia on the right.

NB: Rifugio Piazza is on the side of Abbadia Lariana of San Martino and you can get there from the Chapel in about 10 minutes.
It’s managed by Alpine volunteers and it is usually open on Thursdays and Sundays, but only the waving of an Italian flag in front of the chapel (also visible from the city of Lecco) ensures the actual opening.