Monte Togano
2,301 m
Italy
- Elevation
- 2,301 m
- Prominence
- 1,472 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Sep–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: EE (Opentrek; Gulliver.it) · T4 (traverse from Trontano) (Camptocamp)
The usual route to the highest point of the Val Grande National Park: from the end of the road at Alpe Faievo above Trontano (about 920–950 m) past the park's Rifugio Parpinasca and the Costa dei Bagnoli to Passo di Basagrana (2,070 m), then a faint, unmarked line on very steep grass to the west (main) summit. About 1,380 m of ascent and a 7-hour round trip.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 7.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,419 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,301 m
- Time Up
- 5h 43m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 53m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Trontano in the Ossola valley a narrow road, paved in places and rough in others, climbs to the car park at Alpe Faievo (about 920–950 m), where the municipal road ends. Follow the dirt road (path A14) to the Rifugio Alpe Parpinasca (about 1,200 m), then continue past Alpe Campo and up across meadows to the Costa dei Bagnoli (1,745 m). A traverse on very slippery ground follows, then tight zigzags lead to Passo di Basagrana (2,070 m), the highest entry point into the Val Grande. The path is waymarked as far as the pass. Beyond the pass there is no marked path. Rocky steps bar the start of the ridge, so drop slightly on the right (south) side to get round them on faint traces, either to a small saddle at the foot of the summit slope or further along towards the Costa Torrigia, then climb the steep grass-and-rock shoulder to the summit. The final slope is very steep grass but not exposed; it is dangerous when wet or snow-covered. The west summit (2,301 m) is the highest point and the first reached from Passo di Basagrana; the cross stands on the east summit (2,299 m), a few minutes further along the ridge. Descend the same way. The full traverse east over Passo Biordo, Pizzo Nona and Pizzo Ragno to Santa Maria Maggiore in the Val Vigezzo (about 10 hours, 2,400 m from Trontano) is a long, partly pathless classic.
Start
Alpe Faievo928 m
- Trontano station on the Domodossola–Locarno (Centovalli) railway; from the village walk up the road to Alpe Faievo or start the path directly
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpe Faievo → Monte Togano | 7.1 | 1,419 | 46 | 5h 43m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Alpe Faievo928 m
- Hut: Rifugio Alpe Parpinasca1,209 m
- Col: Passo di Basagrana2,060 m
- Summit: Monte Togano2,301 m
Key Passages
- Slippery traverse after the Costa dei Bagnoli
- Bypassing the rocky steps beyond Passo di Basagrana on the south side
- Very steep, unmarked grass slope to the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 70%Overview
The highest point of the Val Grande National Park (2,301 m), a steep grassy twin summit between the Ossola valley and the Val Vigezzo, above a famously wild, roadless valley system. The normal route from Trontano is a long hike that ends on very steep, unmarked grass.
Monte Togano rises on the northern rim of the Val Grande, the wild, long-abandoned valley system between Lake Maggiore and the Ossola that forms Italy's Val Grande National Park. It has two summits: the main west top (2,301 m) and an east top (2,299 m) with the cross. With nearly 1,500 m of prominence it is the dominant peak of the Togano–Laurasca–Limidario chain, with views from Lake Maggiore to the east face of Monte Rosa.
The standard ascent starts above Trontano in the Ossola valley and follows good paths past the park's Rifugio Parpinasca to Passo di Basagrana (2,070 m). Beyond the pass there are no waymarks: faint traces bypass rocky steps and climb very steep grass to the top. Technically it is only a demanding hike (EE), but the steep grass needs dry conditions and careful footwork. From the Val Vigezzo side, routes from Coimo or Orcesco reach the east summit via Passo Biordo.
The Val Grande is known for its solitude, with almost no infrastructure beyond a handful of huts and bivouacs. Long ridge traverses over the Togano, Pizzo Nona and Pizzo Ragno are among the classic adventures of the park.
Climbing Notes
Expect a 7-hour day with around 1,400–1,700 m of ascent including ups and downs, much of it on steep slopes. The path is waymarked to Passo di Basagrana; above that, you need to be confident route-finding on pathless, very steep grass. Do not attempt the summit slope when it is wet, frozen or snow-covered without winter equipment and experience.
The road from Trontano to Alpe Faievo is partly unpaved and impassable in snow. Rifugio Alpe Parpinasca (22 beds) splits the ascent and allows an early start; check whether it is open before relying on it. The best season is June to October; spring snow lingers on the north-west side, which is used for ski tours in winter.
Park rules apply: no free camping, dogs on a lead at all times, and no drones without park authorisation.
Season
Best Sep–Oct- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; road to Alpe Faievo impassable in snow
- Feb
- Winter; ski tours on the north-west gully for experienced parties
- Mar
- Ski-touring season on the north-west side
- Apr
- Spring snow on the summit slope
- May
- Snow patches; steep slopes dangerous when wet
- Jun
- Snow may linger on the summit slope early in the month
- Jul
- Hot approach; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Hot approach; afternoon thunderstorms
- Sep
- Stable weather and clear views
- Oct
- Clear autumn days; dry grass can be slippery
- Nov
- Early snow and frost on steep grass
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Rifugio Alpe Parpinasca: contact the hut manager before going; opening varies.
- Rules
- Val Grande National Park: free camping is not allowed; a tent may be pitched next to a bivouac only from sunset to sunrise when the bivouac is full
- Val Grande National Park: dogs must be kept on a lead at all times
- Val Grande National Park: drones only with park authorisation
- Park bivouacs are for overnight stops on a trek only; multi-day tourist stays are prohibited
- Getting There
Trontano and Domodossola
Milan Malpensa (MXP)
- Rail: Trontano station on the Domodossola–Locarno (Centovalli) line
- Car: from Domodossola via Masera to Trontano, then the narrow road (partly unpaved) to the car park at Alpe Faievo
Hazards
- Exposure
- Remoteness
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,210 m
Rifugio Alpe ParpinascaHut
22 beds