The Grignone from Balisio

The Grigna Settentrionale, the Grignone, at 2,410 metres is the highest summit of the Grigne group and the end point of many routes, with a view that takes in the Alps and the Prealps.

This climb starts from the Colle di Balisio at Ballabio, at 720 metres, or from the Sacro Cuore chapel at about 820 metres, reached by car along three kilometres of dirt road; alternatively you climb to the Pialeral from Pasturo. From the Alpe Cova and the Pialeral, at 1,365 metres, the view opens onto the Pizzo dei Tre Signori, the Grignetta, the Grignone and the Zuccone Campelli. Then you cross a thin wood and climb a steep trace among stones and meadows to a rock with red lettering, where the summer and winter routes part. On top are the Rifugio Brioschi with its terrace, the glass chapel of Santa Maria dei Sentieri, the summit cross and a cylinder with the names of the peaks and places in view, their height and the direction to look for them.

1. 01Seventeen kilometres and 1,691 metres of ascent from the Colle di Balisio, on paths 31 and 33, about seven hours. It is a difficult route, for the summer.
2. 02From the fork at the rock with red lettering, the summer variant climbs just below the ridge in steep ramps to the Bocchetta di Releccio at 2,263 metres, then up the steps to the hut: about three and a half hours, grade E.
3. 03The winter variant passes the Baite dei Comolli and the Bivacco Riva Girani and climbs the very steep “wall of tears” to the north-east ridge: graded alpine (A), up to 45 degrees, with possible snow cornices, so crampons and an ice axe.
4. 04There is also a route up from the Cainallo, above Esino Lario.

WhereEsino Lario · Mandello del Lario