Dorsale del triangolo lariano: a challenging trek!

 

The Dorsale del triangolo lariano is definitely a challenging trek! Its length and elevation gain challenge walkers, but the scenic rewards are resounding!

Dorsale del triangolo lariano: from Brunate to the colma di Sormano

The starting point of the walk is in Brunate, in the province of Como. To reach Brunate I recommend taking the train to Como Lago, which is connected by a train from Milano Cadorna. From the Como Lago station, it takes less than 5 minutes to walk to the funicular railway that connects Como to Brunate: in not even a five-minute ride you go from 200 to 700 meters in altitude!

From Brunate the path, perfectly marked, begins. Initially one must follow the signs leading to ‘The Lighthouse’ and ‘to the peaks.’ In about 4 km, with an elevation gain of 400 meters, the Boletto refuge is reached. The path is almost always shady as it passes through dense vegetation.

From the Boletto hut it is possible to reach Mount Boletto, following the ‘ridge by ridge’, or to continue along the classic ridge trail: I chose the second option.

After 7 km of walking I again found the junction classic ridge or ridge to ridge. In this case I chose the second option, which took me, after a sometimes steep climb, to the top of Mount Bolettone, 1320 meters. After an additional five minutes of walking, it is possible to take a detour to a beautiful viewpoint. I highly recommend the detour, as you can see Lake Como, Cornizzolo (which is also one of themost famous climbs in the Como area), Lake Annone and Lake Pusiano.

On the 13th km of the walk I reached Rifugio Riella, from where it is possible to admire Lake Como again. Here I took a further detour: the so-called direttissima took me, via a decidedly steep path, to the summit of Mount Palanzone! From the 1430 meters of Mount Palanzone, I descended to the Sormano Colma, reached after 17 km of walking, then halfway down.

Dorsale del triangolo lariano: from the colma di Sormano to Bellagio

At the colma di Sormano there is a bar that provides refreshment before continuing the path of the Dorsale del triangolo lariano.

From the Sormano ridge one must reach the Terrabiotta alp. I again recommend a detour, again a very steep one. After the Spessola vent, it is possible to walk in the direction of Mount Ponciv: even without reaching the summit, it is possible to admire some impressively beautiful lake views!

At the 22nd km of the walk, I finally reached the Terrabiotta Alp, located at an altitude of 1435 meters: the view is once again majestic! From the Terrabiotta Alp, I began the long descent through Mount San Primo Park.

At the 28th km I found a water fountain at Rovenza: this second part of the walk is often in the sun and water consumption is definitely high! The last three kilometers to Bellagio are steep again: this descent, after more than thirty kilometers of walking, is tiring!

Finally, after 35 km of walking I reached the Bellagio pier: Dorsale del triangolo lariano was successfully completed!

 

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN …

The easy, but beautiful, path of Expressions!

The Wayfarer’s Trail, four stops on the lake!

USEFUL INFORMATION ON THE Dorsale del triangolo lariano

 

• The Dorsale del triangolo lariano is a challenging trek: 35 km and 1600 meters of positive elevation gain is quite a challenge!The entire route is available on my Strava profile.

 

• The directions are clear: one must follow the ‘ridge’ (or ridge to ridge) signs, often marked in red and white and with the number one.

 

• Some of the climbs are really steep. In particular, I point out the climbs leading to Bollettone, Palanzone and Ponciv.

 

• It is possible to walk this path all year round. In particular, the Riella shelter is open every day in July and August, and on weekends in other months: of course, it is advisable to call to find out the hours.

 

• Riella, Stoppani and Martina refuges are perfect for splitting the trek into two days.

 

• The heat should not be underestimated. I definitely recommend starting with at least 1.5 liters of water-some parts, e.g., the Bulletin, are totally under the scorching sun!

 

• In the winter months, clear days allow views of the ranges of Mount Rosa and the Matterhorn. Obviously, one must consider the weather conditions to undertake this path in the winter season-I recommend not walking the entire length but choosing one of the peaks.

 

• Technically, the route is never complicated. You just have to consider the climbs and descents, which are steep in places.

 

• The Dorsale del triangolo lariano is a trek therefore suitable for everyone. I recommend doing it in two stages or choosing one of the peaks: from the Sormano ridge you can easily reach Mount San Primo and Palanzone.

 

• The starting point, Brunate, is conveniently reached by funicular railway, which is a five-minute walk from the Como Lago train station. The arrival point, Bellagio,Is connected to Varenna by a ferry.
  
  : from Varenna it is possible to return to Lecco and Milan by train.

 

• Also in the lake area I recommend two other treks:
  
  the wayfarer’s path
  
  and the
  
  path of expressions
  
  !