Hiking at the Lake Como to Monte Bolettone and Capanna Mara
The hiking area above Lake Como is popular in summer and winter. The paths are well developed so that the tour is also very suitable for families with children. In the snow, the hike is ideal for snowshoes, racchette. There are mountain huts at intervals of one to two hours, which are managed in the summer months and at the weekends and offer self-prepared meals.
What to Expect from Hiking at the Lake Como to Monte Bolettone and Capanna Mara
The hiking area above Lake Como is popular in summer and winter. The hike is part of the ridge trail from Brunate to Bellagio. The paths are well developed so that the tour is also very suitable for families with children. In the snow, the hike is ideal for snowshoes, racchette. There are mountain huts at intervals of one to two hours, which are managed in the summer months and at the weekends and offer self-prepared meals.
Description of the Hike at the Lake Como to Monte Bolettone and Capanna Mara
- Duration: 3:30 Hours without lunch break and detours
- Difficulty level: 1 out of 5
- Distance: 11.2 km
- Minimum altitude: 892 m
- Maximum altitude: 1338 m
- Total climb: 546 m
- Gradient (total): 570 m
Starting Point Alpe del Viceré, 903 m
The Alpe del Vicerè can be reached from Albavilla via a small road. Sometimes there are traffic closures and you can take a shuttle bus from Albavilla. The road is often used by cyclists who test their strength on the steep climb. The Alpe del Viceré car park is a former campsite and offers many picnic opportunities.
Hike from Alpe del Viceré to Baita Patrizi and Monte Bolettone to Capanna Mara
Before entering the parking lot, the path to Baita Patrizi on which you pass the Rifugio begins on a hiking map. On the way it continues to the junction, which leads to the right the first piece uphill and then along the southern slope to Bocchetta di Molina. From here you can enjoy the panoramic view over the Padana. At Bocchetta di Molina there is an unmanaged hut. From here you are on the ridge trail leading west to Mt. Boletto and east to Mt. Bolettone. We take the path to the Bolettone, which now reveals the panorama of Lake Como below. After another 220 meters of altitude, it’s done and Mt.Bolettone invites you to linger and enjoy. Thanks to the attached panel, the surrounding mountains can be characterized: When visibility is good, the Monterosa massif and the Meterhorn (Cervinia) appear impressively in the west, the pyramid-shaped Monviso in the southwest and the Appennines in front of Genoa in the south. The Resegone with its serrated line can be seen closer to the east. After a short break at the Rifugio Bolettone, the short steep descent to the parking lot or the path via Capanna Mara can be taken. The walk is half an hour longer, but the descent is less steep.
Dertour to Monte Palanzone
The hike can be extended as desired, e.g. from Capanna Mara to Monte Palanzone. In summer, the mountain huts offer sleeping places so that the hike can be expanded into a multi-day excursion.
Stages of the Hike
Alpe del Viceré , 903 meters altitude
The Alpe del Viceré belongs to the municipality of Albavilla near Como. She was named after the Viceroy of Italy, a stepson of Napoleon Bonaparte. Eugene von Beauharnais had his summer residence on Lake Pusiano and used the high plateau below Monte Bolettone as a pasture for his horses. In the 1930s, the plateau became a climatic health resort. During World War II, the Italian army built a base that was destroyed by an air force attack at the end of the war. Today, the high plateau is a day trip for the whole family with bars and trattorias, an adventure playground, and a starting point for beautiful hikes above Lake Como. The rock is rich in ammonites (fossil marine cephalopod molluscs). The karst rock was partially washed out, creating caves like the Buco del Piombo.
Capanna Mara 1125 meters altitude
The Capanna Mara refuge is protected on the ridge that Monte Bolettone leads. Capanna Mara is easily accessible on foot from Alpe del Viceré and is therefore always well attended. A destination for the whole family, even with small children. Typical mountain dishes are offered at reasonable prices, e.g. Polenta with rabbit or gorgonzola, minestrone and of course pasta. After lunch, a homemade cake closes the meal.
Hiking Alone in the Mountains
Feel free to be inspired by our description of this hike. However, we recommend not to hike alone and not to do without an experienced, licensed local guide. Mountains are unpredictable and you can get lost or surprised by the weather. Our description may also contain minor errors, incomplete or out of date. We, therefore, recommend that you book the tour with us and let us organize it for you.
Other Interesting Hiking Tours for Individual Travelers and Groups by milano24ore
Please contact us if you don’t find what you are looking for. Our strength is to develop bespoke itineraries for individual travelers and private groups
Private Travel Group Travel
milano24ore
milano24oreVernazza to Riomaggiore via Volastra • Hiking in Cinque Terre