Everything You Need to Know

MONTE BERLINGHERA

Monte Berlinghera (1,930 m above sea level) is a peak in the Lepontine Alps on the western shore of Lake Como and Lake Mezzola. Its summit marks the boundary between the province of Como (southern slope, in the municipality of Sorico) and the province of Sondrio (northern slope, in the municipality of Samolaco). The steep slopes are bordered to the north, east, and south by the Mera river and Lake Mezzola, and at the confluence of the river and the lake, you can find the Romanesque chapel of San Fedelino, as well as the hamlets of Albonico, Bugiallo, and Dascio.

HIKE DESCRIPTION

The described route is a loop: it ascends to the summit of Berlinghera from the east and descends from the west-northwest ridge (the normal route). The difficulties are T/E, except for the last part of the climb, from Alpe Derschen to the summit, which is rated EE due to the steep terrain and some easy rock sections.

Access by road:
The route begins at the chapel of San Bartolomeo, beautifully overlooking Lake Como. You can reach it from Gera Lario (near the northernmost point of the western shore of Lake Como). From the main road, take the turnoff for Montemezzo and Bugiallo. After about 3 km, turn right for Bugiallo, and from there (following signs), you ascend to San Bartolomeo (11.5 km from Gera Lario).

From San Bartolomeo (1,204 m), follow the path that starts to the right of the fountain (signposts for the Alta via del Lario, Sasso Canale, etc.) and ascend through a forest of Scots pines until you reach the dirt road that also begins from San Bartolomeo, coming here after a loop to the east. Go left along the dirt road. After a short stretch, you’ll encounter a fork: leave the route with white-red trail markers to the left and continue to the right along the more evident dirt road. Higher up, after a left-hand bend, you’ll find a noticeable fork. Take the right path, which, almost level, leads to the long and wide clearing of Alpe Godone (1,425 m), where the two dilapidated huts of the alpine pasture are located. Behind these buildings, ascend to the reinforced concrete structure of the aqueduct. To its left, you will find the path that climbs north. After a steeper ramp, the trail crosses a small valley with rocks (with a lovely view of the underlying Lake Novate Mezzola). The valley is easily crossed, following the path created during the work to lay water pipes (there was previously a narrower trail, likely a required passage, at least according to the CAI/TCI guide).

Ascend to the houses of Alpe Derschen (1,530 m), now outside the forest, from which you can enjoy a beautiful panorama. To the north of the alpine pasture, reach a grassy saddle (1,545 m) where you can see (above and to the north-northwest) Alpe di Pero, which you need to reach. From the saddle, cross steep slopes (some rocks and a few slightly unstable stretches) until you reach a solitary larch. Beyond this, continue ascending on steep terrain until you reach the ruins of Alpe di Pero, located in a magnificent panoramic spot (1,715 m – 1.5 hours from San Bartolomeo). The summit of Monte Berlinghera is exactly to the west of the alpine pasture. From here, ascend left towards a sparse larch forest; cross it and continue ascending (following traces) gaining some altitude to reach a col with a larch, which opens into a rocky rib to your left. Traverse left (the trail is quite clear) to reach the col, beyond which, after a short descent, continue traversing south (steep terrain and some rocks) until you reach another ridge. Now ascend right (following traces) to reach the southeast ridge of Monte Berlinghera, along which you’ll reach the panoramic summit (1,930 m – 1 hour from Alpe di Pero).

DESCENT

Follow the west-northwest ridge. After reaching an iron cross, descend along the northern side of the ridge, between the larches (trail), then return to the wider ridge, and reach Bocchetta Chiaro (1,666 m). Descend south to reach the meadows of the beautiful basin (about 1,500 m), where you’ll find the restored houses of Alpe Pescedo (on the left) and Alpe di Mezzo (on the right). Follow the dirt road down, passing the fork where you abandoned it on the way up, and continue down to San Bartolomeo (1.5 hours to 1.75 hours from the summit).

CURIOSITIES

At the end of the Second World War, the slopes of Monte Berlinghera, rich in natural hideouts and dense forests, were guarded by the 52nd Garibaldi Brigade “Luigi Clerici,” the same group that arrested Benito Mussolini on April 28, 1945, led by partisan Pier Luigi Bellini delle Stelle. The alpine pasture of Monte Berlinghera was also the scene of a large British air supply on the night of April 5, 1945. Military supplies were parachuted to the local partisans, including 20 heavy machine guns, 300 Sten submachine guns, mortars, and ammunition. In 1969, a votive chapel was built at the summit by the Sorico Alpine Group. Inside, several plaques were displayed from Italian and foreign Alpine groups in memory of fallen soldiers from all wars. Unfortunately, the structure had a short life as it was struck by lightning a few years later. Today, only the perimeter walls remain, and further down, you can still recognize part of the curious roof shaped like a soldier’s hat.