A relaxing hike on the south-western side of the Larian Triangle, amid lonely woods and panoramic views of lakes Pusiano and Alserio and the plain.
Description
A relaxing hike on the south-west side of the Larian Triangle, through lonely woods and panoramic views of lakes Pusiano and Alserio and the plain.
Leaving the car in the large space at the end of the village, one begins to follow the uphill road that shortly after becomes cobbled and leaves the village, entering the shady and cold Piot valley.
After less than a kilometre, one crosses the 'Forum Francescanum', a complex of bas-reliefs, statues and a chapel recalling Franciscan values. A little further on, outside a fir forest, you reach the Alpe del Prina with a large square in front and a stream.
Cross the stream on a wooden bridge, at the side of which is a small post with several markers. Follow the signs for Monte Puscio and Capanna Mara, trail no. 4.
The trail now climbs more decisively in a south-westerly direction and enters the forest, now winding, now sloping. You will come across huts used by hunters; continue along the barely marked track because of the beech leaves, which can be confusing, but if you pay attention to the small metal signs nailed to the trees and indicating "Capanna Mara", you will have no difficulty in finding your way.
After about an hour, you reach the ridge at an altitude of 1124 metres, where there are more wooden signs.
Turning left (south-east), in less than ten minutes you reach Monte Puscio, or Monte Croce di Maiano, on whose summit stands a high metal cross and an altar. From here there is a wide panoramic view of the Lombardy Pre-Alps and the plain.
Retrace your steps as far as the wooden signs and continue straight on in a south-easterly direction following the path that runs along the ridge and then bends to the left just above the Capanna Mara (1125 m).
You pass it and immediately afterwards find the signs for Bocchetta di Lemna and Bocchetta di Palanzo. Follow the cart track uphill and in just a few minutes you will arrive on the main ridge of the Larian Triangle, where the Via dei Monti Lariani passes, connecting Brunate to Bellagio.
The road is wide and comfortable, sometimes cobbled and with a parapet. We head right (north) and in about 10' we reach Bocchetta di Lemna (m 1115). We continue passing under the Pizzo dell'Asino and in another 15' we arrive at the Bocchetta di Palanzo (1210 m), where there are several signposts.
Follow the sign "Monte Palanzone, 30 min. - ridge by ridge" and begin to climb steeply, now out of the vegetation, on a dirt path, often muddy, that points straight to the summit of Monte Palanzone (1434 m) on whose summit stands the Cappella del Redentore (Chapel of the Redeemer), a strange construction in the form of a long pyramid. From here, the view is truly exceptional and sweeps over all the peaks of the Larian Triangle, to the east over the Lombardy Pre-Alps and the Grigne, to the north-east as far as the mountains of Valtellina. To the west, the silhouette of Monte Rosa is clearly visible.
We descend along the uphill path back to Bocchetta di Palanzo and from here follow a signpost to the left (south-east) indicating Alpe del Prina, Cai trail no. 5.
Immediately return to crush beech leaves down through the forest in the Piot valley. Always follow the markings on the stones and soon, after numerous downhill turns, the path becomes clearly visible, although covered in leaves. After about an hour you reach the stream you crossed on the way up and, taking the dirt road, after about 10' you return to Alpe del Prina, the end of the loop.
You then cover the last kilometre on cobblestones towards the Forum Francescanum and finally towards Caslino.
