Gridone
2,188 m
Switzerland, Italy
Also known as Monte Limidario, გრიდონი, +2Also known as
Monte Limidario · გრიდონი · Gridón · Ghiridone
- Elevation
- 2,188 m
- Prominence
- 1,238 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: EE (VieNormali.it (Italian scale, from Cortaccio))
The Swiss normal route from the road end at Mergugno (about 1,040 m) above Brissago: forest path to Rifugio Al Legn (1,785 m) with a balcony view over Lake Maggiore, then the Bocchetta di Valle (1,948 m) and a steep grassy ridge with short gullies over the 2,138 m fore-summit to the top. About 1,150 m of ascent and 3½ hours.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 5.6 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,168 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,188 m
- Time Up
- 4h 38m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 05m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the car park at the end of the narrow road at Mergugno (about 1,040 m, reached from Brissago via Incella and Rovere), a marked path climbs north-west through dense forest, then on steeper open slopes to Rifugio Al Legn (1,785 m), in about 1¾–2¼ hours (T2). The hut is always open and partly staffed in summer, with drinks available; it looks straight down on Lake Maggiore. Above the hut, follow the broad ridge and traverse left across steep slopes to the Bocchetta di Valle (1,948 m). Turn left along an easy small ridge towards the south-east ridge of the Gridone; reach it either by short, sometimes slippery gullies where hands are needed, or by a clearer path on the far side of the watershed that loses a little height. A short, very steep section leads back onto the crest. Follow it north to the fore-summit (2,138 m), descend a sharper bit of ridge and climb the final rocky crest to the summit (T3), about 3½ hours from Mergugno. Descend the same way to the hut and Mergugno. The path is not exposed, but the grass slopes below it are steep, so a slip must be avoided, especially when wet. A longer start from Brissago itself (about 1,680 m to the hut via Cortaccio and Vantarone) makes a two-day loop.
Start
Mergugno1,034 m
- Bus 316 from Locarno station to Brissago, Posta; no bus serves Mergugno, so walkers without a car start from Brissago (about 1,680 m of ascent and 5 hours to the hut via Cortaccio and Vantarone).
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mergugno → Gridone | 5.6 | 1,168 | 15 | 4h 38m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Mergugno1,034 m
- Hut: Rifugio Al Legn1,787 m
- Col: Bocchetta di Valle1,949 m
- Summit: Gridone2,188 m
Key Passages
- Forest path from Mergugno to Rifugio Al Legn
- Bocchetta di Valle
- Short gullies and very steep section onto the south-east ridge
- Sharper ridge between the 2,138 m fore-summit and the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
A 2,188 m border summit rising almost 2,000 m above Lake Maggiore at Brissago, known in Italy as Monte Limidario. A steep but straightforward hike via the hut Al Legn leads to a wide view over the lake and the Alps.
The Gridone (Ghiridone in Ticino, Monte Limidario in Italy) stands on the Swiss–Italian border between Lake Maggiore, the Centovalli and the Italian Valle Cannobina and Val Vigezzo. Its summit is nearly 2,000 m above the lake shore at Brissago, with a prominence of about 1,240 m and views over the lake to the Valais and Bernese Alps.
On the Swiss side a narrow road climbs from Brissago to Mergugno at about 1,040 m. From there a forest path leads to the small Rifugio Al Legn on a balcony above the lake, and a steep grassy ridge with a few short gullies continues to the summit. The route is T3: not exposed, but on steep ground where a slip would be serious. A longer approach starts from the lake at Brissago, and on the Italian side marked paths with short chained sections come up from Spoccia in the Valle Cannobina.
The lower slopes above Brissago hold the Sacred Forest, a 35 ha reserve of laburnum that flowers in May and June. The mountain is also a spring and winter objective for ski-tourers and snowshoers in good snow years.
Climbing Notes
Needs good fitness for about 1,150 m of ascent from Mergugno (about 3½ hours up, 2 hours down) or much more from Brissago, and sure-footedness on steep grass and short, sometimes slippery gullies. No technical equipment is needed in summer. Avoid the summit ridge when the grass is wet or icy.
Typical itineraries: a day trip by car from Mergugno; or, without a car, a two-day loop from Brissago via Cortaccio and Vantarone to Rifugio Al Legn (about 5 hours), then over the summit and down via Mergugno and Incella (about 5 hours). The hut is basic and only partly staffed, so bring food and hut equipment.
Spring and autumn are best: the approach above Lake Maggiore is hot in midsummer.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Snowshoe or ski ascents in good snow years; steep slopes need stable snow
- Feb
- Winter conditions; avalanche risk on steep grass slopes
- Mar
- Spring snow on the upper ridge
- Apr
- Lower path clear; snow possible on the ridge
- May
- Hut opens in May; laburnum in flower in the Sacred Forest
- Jun
- Good conditions
- Jul
- Hot and hazy; thunderstorms
- Aug
- Hot and hazy; thunderstorms
- Sep
- Good conditions
- Oct
- Clear autumn days
- Nov
- Hut open to November; short days, first snow possible
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Rifugio Al Legn (Patriziato di Brissago) is always open and partly staffed from May to November; contact the warden (rifugiolegn@gmail.com) for groups or meals.
- Rules
- The summit is on the Swiss–Italian border
- Getting There
Brissago (Ticino)
Milan Malpensa (MXP)
- Bus 316 from Locarno station to Brissago, Posta; Brissago is also served by Lake Maggiore boats
- By car from Brissago via Incella and Rovere to the road end at Mergugno (car park)
- Italian side: road up the Valle Cannobina to Spoccia
Hazards
- Exposure
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,785 m
Rifugio Al LegnHutStaffed
12 beds · Always open; partly staffed May to November