The idea to connect the 4 major peaks around Lecco first came to me a couple of years ago, but there was always an excuse not to do anything about it, or maybe I was just to lazy.
There were several unknown quantities to the challenge. Although I had done some sections of the loop on separate occasions I didn’t know how much ascent or decent the trip would involve, how much time it would take or even how far it was. To be honest I didn’t really want to know. If I had of sat down at the map and calculated the itinerary I would more than likely have been put off the idea. Ignorance was my friend.
My first attempt was back in September 2006. Knowing I would be in the UK for the whole of August I was keen to get it done. Only things didn’t turn out like that so I left without having realised the plan. I returned in September and immediately feel the nights drawing in. It was my first weekend back in Italy, I was well rested and fed from my time away. With a full moon, and clear skies promised for the weekend I decided this would be my last chance for the year.
On that occasion I failed halfway around the loop, a navigation error put me out of the game, so I took up the challenge once again the following June.
There are a few ways to approach the loop. You can try it in a day, a long day.. or you can take 2 days sleeping at 2400m on top of Grigna in rifugio Brioschi. I also had some self imposed guidelines which you may or may not wish to follow. 1. Start and finish on lake Como, for example in Piazza Cermenati. 2. No assistance by motorised transport. 3. Entirely self supported, you should carry your own food and water. Fortunately there are several springs along the way which if used wisely will mean you do not need to take several litres of water. It is worth mentioning water, because the long summer days can get very hot and humid.
- Lecco lakeside 214m – Piani Resinelli 1200m (2hr)
06.30 I left the comfort of home. The number 52 path starts from the edge of the town and climbs steeply through the trees for 5 minutes before turning left and traversing along the hillside overlooking Lake Como. It is very scenic and weaves through steep limestone faces. There are a couple of points where you are assisted by chains but it is never difficult if you don’t mind some light scrambling. The path flattens for a while as you pass rifugio Piazza (water stop) heading for Forcellino. The path now goes up and down over crests before crossing a rocky gully indicating the start of the long climb up to Forcellino (1287m). This can seem an endless climb, especially as the fine views are hidden. Upon reaching the plateau continue along a track through the trees descending towards Piani Resinelli. Join the road for a short while taking you past the towerblock to the main carpark.
- Piani Resinelli 1200m – Grigna Meridionale 2184m (1hr 20)
This is where most people who are attempting Grignetta start. You can feel smug that you have already done a good job, but there is still some way to go. The water fountain is on the right just before you enter the car park. It is the last for a while so make sure you fill up. Go past the bar / rifugio at the end of the car park and follow the road that climbs to rifugio Porta. You now leave the road and take the steep rocky path to the summit of Grignetta. It is pretty sustained all the way with a slight reduction in gradient once on the shoulder. A bivuoac hut on top in the shape of an igloo is a great place to refuel and take in the view. Impressively steep faces drop away in all directions and the next objective, Grigna, stands to the North.
- Grigna Meridionale 2184m – Grigna Settentrionale 2409m (2hr 40)
If you have any sense you will have already decided to spend the night here. It is the obvious point to break the trip into two days, and what better place to enjoy and evening meal and breakfast in the morning.
- Grigna Settentrionale 2409m – Balisio 723m (2hr 10)
I don’t usually like retracing my steps, but a short trek back to the junction is easier than the steep route from the ridge. The path descends through a pleasant green valley with interesting rocks on your left. Take time once at the rifugio to study the map. This is where on my first attempt I took the wrong path down to Pasturo. Make sure to take the path that heads directly to the campsite otherwise you will loose a lot of height, and walk a lot further than is necessary.
- Balisio 723m – Zucco di Desio 1656m (2hr)
You have got this far so you do not want to blow it now if you are trying to do the loop in a day. Looking at the map there is a conveniently looking path marked as 31. This climbs directly up the hillside to reach the ridge. My advice is not to take it. I have tried to find this path on 2 occasions without success. I now sincerely believe it is the figment of some cartographers imagination. What you will find is a steep forested hillside with gullies of loose leaves. It is not a nice proposition after all you have done but if you decide to go for it crampons could prove useful. My only advice is to head straight up until you hit the ridge, at certain points you will cross tracks that appear to traverse the hillside, my advice is to ignore them. A better option in my opinion, and to ease back into climbing after a long decent is to follow the road for a short distance and take the well marked path. Follow this to reach the summit of the Zucco.
Reaching this point I couldn’t continue, I was exhausted. I sat down and didn’t get up again for a good 3 hours! Resegone seemed so close but I knew it was to far. As it happens sitting down perhaps wasn’t such a great idea, even getting back to Lecco was a struggle, and I had to question why I lived on the 3rd floor of an apartment block with no elevator. For completeness here is the rest of the route.
- Zucco di Desio 1656m – Forchetta di Olino 1235m (1hr)
The path is not the 32 as indicated on the map. From what I could understand it is the 21.
- Forchetta di Olino 1235m – Resegone 1875m (1hr 25)
A well marked path with really great views that leads you up the back side of Resegone to rifugio Azzoni on the summit.
- Resegone 1875m – Lecco lakeside 214m (3hr)
Take sentiero 1 down the steep gully past the rifugio towards the lake. Well marked but boy your legs will be tired by now! The path eases as you enter the woods and leads to the bar at Piani d’Erna. If you have timed it well treat yourself to a well earned beer!
Springs
Rifugio Resinelli, Half way up Zucco di Desio, Several by the group of huts under Zucco di Desio, Forbetta, Small spring on sentiero 1 just on the shoulder, Crossing the river just before Rif. Stoppani.
In summary
So I had failed again! There is no doubt this is a long circular walk around the Grigne group of mountains surrounding Lecco. The walk can be made less challenging and perhaps more enjoyable by splitting it over two days! A very long day out involving a lot of ascent and descent. The terrain is often steep and rocky, especially in the first half. If you are doing the walk over two days the Brioschi rifugio on the summit of Grigna makes a convenient and beautiful stop over, or if you prefer to keep your style pure and unsupported you can find a bivvy spot in the green valley on the descent down towards the Rifugio Tedeschi.
Distance: 21.53 miles
Ascent: 13907.3 ft