Monte San Primo
1,686 m
Italy
- Elevation
- 1,686 m
- Prominence
- 1,407 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 1
WorksReported 17 Jun 2026
A EUR 5.31 million redevelopment of the Monte San Primo area, presented to the Lombardy regional council on 17 June 2026, would remove about 90% of the old ski-area structures, keep a beginner slope with conveyor lifts and snow cannons, create two paid car parks (about 200 spaces), redevelop the Alpe del Borgo and make the Colonia Bonomelli safe. No construction start date had been confirmed; expect works and parking changes around Parco Monte San Primo.
espansionetv.it
Routes
1The shortest way up the highest peak of the Triangolo Lariano: a concrete track from the Parco Monte San Primo car park to Rifugio Martina, then a steep, relentless wooded ridge to the summit cross and antennas above the fork of Lake Como. About 600 m of ascent; often returned as a loop via the Alpe di Terrabiotta.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 3.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +596 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,686 m
- Time Up
- 2h 27m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 1h 43m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive up from the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel to Piano Rancio and follow via San Primo to the car parks at Parco Monte San Primo (about 1,100–1,120 m), by the old ski lifts and the former Colonia Bonomelli. Take the concrete track (path 29) through the pine wood, ignoring side paths, to Rifugio Martina on the Alpe dei Picetti (about 1,230 m), 20–30 minutes, with a view down to Isola Comacina. Behind the hut a steep path climbs the wooded north ridge without a break; the trees thin and the view opens as you reach the summit ridge, where you turn left to the cross, the radio antennas and the IGM survey marker. Signposts give 1 hour 20 minutes from the car park; Trekking Lecco gives 1 hour 45 minutes. The ridge faces north and stays in shade, so it is icy in winter and muddy after rain. For a loop (about 8 km, 3 hours), descend with your back to the lake towards the Colma di Sormano: a steep start leads to a saddle, then either the main path or the ridge over the Cima del Costone to the Alpe di Terrabiotta (45 minutes to 1 hour). Turn right for Parco Monte San Primo and descend the north slope past the Alpe del Borgo to the car park. Easier and longer approaches start from the Colma di Sormano (about 2 hours) or from Bellagio (about 3 hours).
Start
Parco Monte San Primo1,131 m
- No bus to Parco Monte San Primo. From Bellagio (bus from Como, ferries on Lake Como) a ridge path reaches the summit in about 3 hours.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parco Monte San Primo → Monte San Primo | 3.1 | 596 | 41 | 2h 27m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Parco Monte San Primo1,131 m
- Hut: Rifugio Martina1,228 m
- Summit: Monte San Primo1,686 m
Key Passages
- Steep wooded north ridge above Rifugio Martina
- Summit ridge to the cross
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
The highest point of the Triangolo Lariano (1,686 m), rising directly above the fork of Lake Como between Bellagio and the Vallassina: a short, steep half-day walk from Parco Monte San Primo with one of the widest views in the Prealps, from Monviso and Monte Rosa to the Milan skyline.
Monte San Primo is the summit of the Triangolo Lariano, the wedge of Prealpine hills between the Como and Lecco arms of Lake Como. Its broad, grassy crest carries a cross, radio antennas and an IGM survey marker, and looks straight down on the meeting of the two arms of the lake, across to the Grigne and Monte Legnone and, on clear winter days, west along the Alps from Monviso to Monte Rosa and the Bernese Oberland, and south over Brianza to Milan and the Apennines. Published heights range from 1,682 to 1,686 m.
It is a walker's mountain with many approaches. The shortest, from the car park at Parco Monte San Primo above the Ghisallo pass, takes under two hours via the family-run Rifugio Martina and a steep wooded ridge; gentler paths come over the Alpe di Terrabiotta and the Monte Ponciv crest, and longer ridge walks start from the Colma di Sormano or from Bellagio on the lake. Its north slopes held a small ski area, now largely disused.
Because it is so close to Como, Lecco and Milan it is busy at weekends, and in winter it is a popular snowshoe and short ski-touring objective when snow allows.
Climbing Notes
An easy-to-moderate hike: 600 m of ascent, about 8 km and 3 hours for the loop from Parco Monte San Primo. The path above Rifugio Martina is steep and slippery when wet; the north side is in shade and often icy in winter, so carry microspikes from December to March, and avoid it in the days after heavy rain because of mud. In spring, deep melting snow can remain on the last half hour. There is no water above the hut. The summit is open to wind and lightning. Rifugio Martina offers food and a few beds; it is open daily in summer and at weekends the rest of the year.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Good
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Good
- Jan
- Snowshoeing when there is snow; icy north ridge
- Feb
- Snowshoeing; clear views; ice on the north side
- Mar
- Melting snow and mud possible
- Apr
- Lingering snow over mud on the upper ridge
- Jul
- Hot and hazy; start early
- Aug
- Hot and hazy; afternoon storms
- Oct
- Clear autumn views
- Nov
- Short days; first snow possible
- Dec
- Snow and ice possible; often clear views above the fog
Access & Permits
- Getting There
Bellagio
Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Milan Linate (LIN)
- Car: SS36 to Erba, then up through the Vallassina to the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel, right to Piano Rancio and along via San Primo to the car parks at Parco Monte San Primo
- Public transport: bus from Como or Lecco to Bellagio, or ferry on Lake Como; from Bellagio the ridge path reaches the summit in about 3 hours
Hazards
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,231 m
Rifugio MartinaRefugeStaffed
18 beds · Summer daily; weekends the rest of the year (check by phone, +39 031 964695)