Walking Among the Trenches! Discover the itinerary with us for the excursion to Monte Legnoncino from Artesso. from Artesso.

Monte Legnoncino is a panoramic pyramid-like balcony overlooking Como lake, and its summit is easily reachable through a pleasant hike. The described itinerary starts from Artesso and allows you to admire the trenches of the Cadorna Line, which were fortunately never used. They were constructed between 1899 and 1918 as a defense in case of invasion through neutral Switzerland.

We reach Dervio by car and start the ascent of Valvarrone from there.. We follow the signs to Vestreno first and then to Sueglio. we continue towards Rifugio Bellano. Near a small lake, we finally park the car. The last stretch of road is a dirt road.

We begin the hike, following the signs for Rifugio Bellano. The slopes are steep initially, but soon we reach the structure, from which we can already enjoy a splendid view of Como lake, Valchiavenna, and Valtellina.

Now we continue with less steep slopes along the trail leading to Roccoli dei Lorla, which completely skirts the trenches and military fortifications. With a headlamp, these structures are easily visitable as well.

In a short while, we arrive at Roccoli dei Lorla, with its namesake refuge. This entire area, as the name suggests, is rich in “roccoli,” special structures used for bird hunting Monte Legnoncino is indeed a migratory path for birds, and in the past, it was an ideal spot for hunting..

From the refuge, we follow the signs to the summit of Monte Legnoncino. The path initially follows a wide dirt road of military origin and then becomes an easy trail that leads us to our destination in a short time. For the more experienced hikers, it’s possible to take a more direct route from the refuge, which features steeper slopes and can save about 20 minutes.

From the summit, a spectacular panorama unfolds, encompassing Como lake, Pian di Spagna, Valchiavenna, Valtellina, and the Central and Rhaetian Alps.

The return is then on the same route as the outbound trip.

The excursion doesn’t present any particular difficulties and is suitable for all, both adults and children accustomed to walking.

You can find the interactive map of the route, complete with elevation profile and downloadable GPS track, at this link.

Always organize your trips with care, choose appropriate equipment, and verify the itinerary before embarking on it.

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