Pizzo Formico
1,636 m
Italy
- Elevation
- 1,636 m
- Prominence
- 1,053 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2Sources differ: E (CAI Bergamo)
The classic walk from the Clusone side: from the Rifugio San Lucio car park (1,027 m) through woods past the Baita Pianone, a long almost level traverse to Forcella Larga (1,470 m) and a short steep climb to the big iron summit cross. About 600 m of ascent and 2 hours each way.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 4.6 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +603 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,636 m
- Time Up
- 2h 35m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 1h 47m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Clusone drive up the paved road to the panoramic terrace of the Rifugio San Lucio (1,027 m); parking is paid with a 'gratta e sosta' card bought in Clusone. Take the path behind the small church, signed for Pianone and Pizzo Formico, to the Baita Pianone (1,142 m). Cross the clearing following CAI trail 508 towards a chalet on the edge of the forest and climb through the woods. After three hairpins the path turns south-west and runs almost level for about 2 km to Forcella Larga (1,470 m), with the ruins of the Capanna Ilaria and a view over the Monte Farno basin. Turn right, signed Pizzo Formico (about 30 minutes), past the bell behind the Capanna Ilaria, then keep left on the final part of trail 549 through a grove and a short steep section to the summit cross. Descend the same way, or continue on trail 508 past the Montagnina and the Monte Fogarolo for a loop back to Pianone; the Rifugio Parafulmine is a short detour from the Tribulina dei Morti saddle. The route is waymarked throughout and is walked all year, on snowshoes in winter.
Start
San Lucio1,030 m
- Buses from Bergamo run up the Val Seriana to Clusone; from Clusone it is about 4 km by road to San Lucio.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Lucio → Pizzo Formico | 4.6 | 603 | 0 | 2h 35m |
Waypoints
- Parking: San Lucio1,030 m
Rifugio San Lucio and paid car park
- Feature: Pianone1,144 m
Baita Pianone
- Col: Forcella Larga1,470 m
Ruins of the Capanna Ilaria
- Summit: Pizzo Formico1,636 m
Key Passages
- Level traverse through the woods to Forcella Larga
- Short steep final section to the summit cross
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 85%Overview
A 1,636 m grassy pre-Alpine summit above Clusone and Gandino in the Val Seriana, topped by a large iron cross visible from far away. Easy waymarked paths reach it in 1–2 hours, with a wide view over the Orobie, the Presolana and the Po plain.
Pizzo Formico is the highest point of a rounded chain in the Bergamasque Prealps that overlooks the middle Val Seriana and closes the Clusone plateau to the south. Its neighbours are the Montagnina (1,598 m), the Monte Fogarolo, the Corno Guazza and the Corno Falò, around the Monte Farno basin above Gandino. Villages such as Gandino, Casnigo, Ponte Nossa, Parre, Clusone, Rovetta and Cerete lie on its lower slopes.
The mountain is a walkers' summit, busy in summer and visited on snowshoes and skis in winter. Several huts and shelters stand on its ridges, including the Rifugio San Lucio, the Rifugio Parafulmine and the ruined Capanna Ilaria. The two usual approaches are CAI trail 508 from San Lucio above Clusone (about 2 hours) and the shorter ridge path from Monte Farno above Gandino (about 1 hour).
Its prominence of over 1,000 m makes it a fine viewpoint: the Alben, Arera, Diavolo di Tenda, Redorta, Coca and Presolana to the north, Lake Iseo and the Po plain to the south, and on clear days the northern Apennines and the Monviso.
Climbing Notes
An easy hike suitable for most walkers with basic fitness: about 600 m of ascent and 4 hours round trip from San Lucio, or about 400 m and 2 hours from Monte Farno. Paths are waymarked (CAI 508, 549, 542) and graded E by the CAI. Wear walking boots; the last section to the summit is short and steep.
The mountain can be climbed all year. In winter the Monte Farno road is usually cleared and the ridge becomes a popular snowshoe walk; take spikes if the snow is icy. On summer afternoons thunderstorms are common, and the exposed summit cross is no place to be in lightning. Both trailheads have paid parking ('gratta e sosta' cards from bars and tobacconists in Clusone or Gandino), and the Monte Farno road can be closed when full, so arrive early at weekends. Loops via the Montagnina and the Rifugio Parafulmine make a fuller day.
History
A large iron summit cross was raised in fulfilment of a vow made in 1993, and on special occasions the Clusone section of the CAI lights it at night. On one flank a rock pinnacle is said to resemble the profile of a Native American, the 'pellerossa'.
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
- Snowshoe walk from Monte Farno
- Feb
- Snowshoeing; check for ice near the summit
- Mar
- Late snow on the north side
- Apr
- Spring; snow patches possible
- May
- Good conditions and flowers
- Jun
- Good; start early on hot days
- Jul
- Hot, hazy; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Busy; afternoon thunderstorms
- Sep
- Clearer views
- Oct
- Autumn colours and clear days
- Nov
- Short days; first snow possible
- Dec
- Snowshoe walk when there is snow
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Paid parking at San Lucio and Monte Farno with a 'gratta e sosta' card (EUR 2 per day at Monte Farno in February 2021), sold in bars, tobacconists and tourist offices in Clusone and Gandino
- Rules
- The Monte Farno road may be closed when the car parks are full
- Getting There
Clusone; Gandino
Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY)
- Clusone side: from Clusone up the paved road to the Rifugio San Lucio car park (1,027 m)
- Gandino side: 7 km paved road from Gandino to the Monte Farno car parks (about 1,240 m), usually cleared in winter
- Public transport: buses from Bergamo run up the Val Seriana to Clusone and Gandino; none reach the trailheads
Hazards
- Weather