Cainallo to Rifugio Bietti-Buzzi

Many thanks 🙏 to @Federica for this tour suggestion in your Grigna Collection. We experienced a truly impressive hike here on this magical autumn day. Curious about more, I've already snagged another tour from you for later 🙃🤓🥰. A little tip for those with a sweet tooth...in Esino Lario there's a small supermarket with its own bakery...the pastries are incredibly delicious 😋😋😋😋.

It was not possible to loop with the Bogani refuge due to too much ice.

August 3, 2024 On the Grigne, in the province of Lecco, there is a curious limestone rock formation in the shape of an arch that takes the name of "Porta di Prada", formed through the erosion of karst processes over millions of years. The combined action of water and atmospheric agents has shaped the arch as we see it today, and it is nothing more than a remnant of an ancient cave system. Porta di Prada is located at the top of the valley of the same name, at about 1700 meters above sea level on the Grigna, and for its natural beauty and its panoramic position it is a very popular destination among hikers. We reached it starting from Alpe Cainallo, in the municipality of Esino Lario, and after the numerous ritual photos of the Porta we reached the Rifugio Bietti Buzzi for lunch, at an altitude of 1,719 m.a.s.l.

Today I started from the Cainallo paid car park. The parking meter near the Albergo Cainallo wasn't working and I was left wondering if I would get a fine for the whole walk. The route is very simple and almost always flat, there is a single point equipped with a chain but wide enough not to cause any worries. Leaving early I had the pleasure of meeting several chamois along the route that passes from Porta di Prada to the Bietti Buzzi Refuge. The temperature was decidedly cold +2° with gusts of wind. Super panoramas, recommended as a relaxing walk.

Ring route from Cainallo parking passing through: - Prada nozzle - Bietti Buzzi Refuge - Poletti Brigade votive chapel

End of July 2024. The sun shines on the rocky and unprotected sections of this challenging trail. A continuous up and down. Departure from a car park without a ticket machine (it is only a few kilometers below), the route winds through the woods and without great difficulty arrives at the beautiful Porta di Prada, a rock arch set in the Grigna. After many stretches in the sun and on steeply sloping rocky terrain you reach the Buzzi refuge. The return follows exactly the same route as the outward journey (unless the route is significantly lengthened and the level of difficulty is increased). 6.5

A nice ride but with a lot of frozen snow. Impossible to go without crampons. Especially the stretch that goes up to the Bogani and the stretch that from Bogani leads to the junction with the path that goes to Bietti.