To Monte Cornizzolo via San Pietro al Monte

From Civate, we drive almost to the locality of Pozzo (359 m), following the brown road signs for San Pietro al Monte. Starting our hike, we pass through the houses of Pozzo and, near a beautiful meadow (from which we can see our destinations, San Pietro, Rifugio Marisa Consiglieri, and Cornizzolo), we enter the woods, taking the lovely mule track that leads to San Pietro al Monte (639 m, 45 minutes).

We reach it after a slightly steep stretch: the atmosphere is charming, with the beautiful meadow surrounding the church and the discreet panorama that can be admired here. Throughout the year, these meadows are rightly a pilgrimage destination for many Lombard families. If it's open, step into the church and take a look at the frescoes (open every holiday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 16:00).

We continue behind the complex, ascending into the Valle dell'Oro on a forest trail. After more than 30 minutes, the vegetation thins out, and in another 30 minutes or so, we arrive at the large Rifugio Marisa Consiglieri (1090 m, 1 hour), served by a private asphalt road that ascends from Pusiano, frequented by minibusses from the Cornizzolo Parachuting Club. From here, a quick ascent leads us to conquer the grassy ridge of Cornizzolo, then the summit (1240 m, 20 minutes), adorned with a large cross.

The view from Monte Cornizzolo is among the best in the Larian Triangle: a glimpse of Lake Como, a wide view of the Grigne, the Corni di Canzo, and the Resegone, and of course, the vast expanse of the Po Valley and its foothill lakes; a spectacle even more majestic at sunset and twilight.

For the descent, we can traverse the ridge of La Guardia, the grassy strip that marks the southern border of Valle dell'Oro and is well seen from the summit, offering extensive views of the plain. After ignoring a deviation that leads back to San Pietro al Monte, the trail re-enters the woods only to emerge at Pozzo; from here, it's a 5-minute walk back to the car (359 m, 1.30 hours).