From Cainallo to Grigna Settentrionale via the Piancaformia Crest

Hiking trails & Routes

From Cainallo to Grigna Settentrionale via the Piancaformia Crest

Hard

4.7

(287)

1,564

hikers

From Cainallo to Grigna Settentrionale via the Piancaformia Crest

07:08

14.7km

1,170m

Hiking

Embark on a difficult hike from Cainallo to Grigna Settentrionale via the Piancaformia Crest, a challenging route spanning 9.1 miles (14.7 km) with an elevation gain of 3831 feet (1168 metres). This aerial trail takes you through diverse environments, from steep forest climbs to rocky plateaus, offering expansive views of Val d'Era and Lake Como. You will traverse beech and larch forests, which are particularly vibrant in autumn, before reaching higher elevations with karstic sinkholes and exposed sections along the ridge. The journey culminates at the Rifugio Brioschi, where you can enjoy a vast panorama of the Alpine chain.

This demanding route requires very good fitness, sure-footedness, and alpine experience, taking approximately 7 hours and 7 minutes to complete. While it can be hiked in summer by experienced individuals, be prepared for exposed sections and some rocky passages that may have chains to assist your climb. Always wear sturdy shoes and ensure you are comfortable with committing sections of the trail. The research does not provide specific details on trailhead access, parking, or public transport, so plan your logistics carefully before you go.

The Piancaformia Crest is celebrated as one of the most beautiful and panoramic ways to reach Grigna Settentrionale, the highest peak in the Grigne group. Its

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Includes segments that may be dangerous

Parts of this route comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience is required.

After 4.96 km for 1.03 km

After 6.08 km for 696 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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3.67 km

Votive Chapel to the Partisans of the "Cacciatori delle Grigne" Brigade

Highlight • Religious Site

Chapel, begun in 1962 and inaugurated in August 1964, was built in memory of two partisans of the "Cacciatori delle Grigne" Brigade who were captured and killed by the Nazi-Fascists on 08/25/1944.

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4.01 km

Prada Gate

Highlight • Natural Monument

Passing the Porta di Prada a wonderful landscape opens up.

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4.96 km

Piancaformia Ridge

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Very pleasant ridge that leads to the top of one of the most famous and popular mountains in Lombardy. The route is never difficult and allows you to have fun among easy rocky jumps, restful grassy stretches, some vertical wall and thin exciting stretches. The difficulties are maintained in the order of I and II degree. There is perhaps only one point where this level is exceeded, but this vertical wall with little grip can be circumvented.

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7.16 km

Northern Grigna (Rifugio Brioschi)

Highlight • Mountain Hut

One of the few mountain huts in the area.

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7.21 km

Summit Cross of the Northern Grigna (Grignone)

Highlight • Summit

The Northern Grigna, better known as Grignone, is one of the most famous Lecco mountains, visible - in good weather - from Milan and from the plain. With its 2,410m above sea level it is the highest peak of the Grigne Group. From the summit of the Northern Grigna, the view is breathtaking. From the summit cross and the adjacent Brioschi refuge, the view sweeps 360 degrees over the mountains of the Alps - with Monte Rosa in plain sight - to Lake Como, from the Orobie and Valsassina to the Lombard plain.

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9.47 km

Arnaldo Bogani Mountain Hut

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Immersed in the heart of the Lombardy Prealps, the Bogani refuge welcomes visitors with its centuries-old history and the enchanting natural beauty of the Moncodeno basin. Here, at 1,816 meters above sea level, you can enjoy Mariangela's traditional cuisine, prepared with fresh products from the local mountain pastures.

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14.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.02 km

2.90 km

1.72 km

659 m

291 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

6.56 km

4.74 km

2.64 km

622 m

111 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 23 October

13°C

3°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 5.0 km/h

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Comments

September 14, 2025,Tour

I don't know why but 3 hours and 30 minutes is the time it took to climb, with breaks for photos and various refreshments.

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August 18, 2025,(Grigna Settentrionale) Cainallo - Porta di Prada - Cresta di Piancaformia - Rifugio Brioschi

Departing from Cainallo, our first stop is the famous Porta di Prada, a rock arch whose sight is certainly impressive.
The climb that takes us to the Piancaformia ridge is steep at first and on very slippery terrain. It's not suitable for everyone, as is the ridge route. It's fine if you're fit, enjoy grade II climbing, don't suffer from …

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August 16, 2024,Cainallo,cresta piancaformia,rifugio brioschi,via della ganda,rifugio bogani

Circular route from Parcheggio Cainallo passing through:
- Bocchetta di Prada (1.7 km)
- Votive Chapel Brigata Poletti (1.9 km)
- Bocchetta di Piancaformia (2.8 km)
- Cima di Piancaformia (3.7 km)
- Bocchetta del Guzzi (4.0 km)
- Grigna Settentrionale (5.5 km)
- Rifugio Bogani (8.1 km)

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September 7, 2024,Cresta piancaformia - rif. Brioschi; anello

Excursion with friends, slow speed to keep up with the slowest, the Piancaformia ridge was followed until the end of the yellow markers, the last stretch is not marked, in my track you will see a test climb on the ridge where I gave up because of the wet rock that did not guarantee me a good grip. So we …

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August 12, 2023,Da Cainallo a Rifugio Brioschi

The return from Bogani, following path 19, I wouldn't do it again. There is a short but decidedly demanding passage (with a chain but very exposed)

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November 2, 2024,Rif. Brioschi 2024💪🏻 ascesa 1091+- 12.5km AR

The track was saved shorter (see map point A and B) due to incorrect MULTISPORT registration in reality B ends at the same as point A
So the real total ascent is +- 1,091 m and the km are 12.5 AR, Travel times A/R (without stops) from 2- to 3 hours

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April 25, 2024,Grigna settentrionale, via della Ganda

A classic of the Lecco area, the Via della Ganda on the northern side of the northern Grigna, in these conditions transforms into an authentic adventure in a wild and solitary environment, where the snow combined with the conformation of the land creates plays of light that continuously change depending on of the inclination of the sun. Never difficult, but …

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November 1, 2024,Da Inizio Sentiero -> Rifugio Bogani a Esino Lario

Very challenging route especially the via Guzzi, I recommend it to people who are well trained. Refuges as always welcoming, I do not recommend bringing the dog.

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