From Civate we drive up almost to the hamlet of Pozzo (m359), following the brown road signs for San Pietro al Monte. We set off on foot, pass the houses of Pozzo and, near a lovely meadow (from which we can see the stages of our walk, San Pietro, Rifugio Marisa Consiglieri and the Cornizzolo), we enter the woods on the fine mule track that leads to San Pietro al Monte (m639, 45 minutes). We get there after a slightly steep stretch: the setting is evocative, thanks to the lovely meadow surrounding the church and the decent view to be had from here. All year round these meadows are, rightly, the goal of a “pilgrimage” for a great many Lombard families. If it is open, go into the church and have a look at the frescoes (open on Sundays and public holidays from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 16.00).
We continue behind the complex, climbing into the Valle dell'Oro on a woodland path. After more than 30 minutes the trees thin out and, in roughly another 30 minutes, we arrive at the large Rifugio Marisa Consiglieri (m1090, 1 hour), served by a private tarmac road that climbs from Pusiano and is busy with the minibuses of the Cornizzolo skydiving club. From here a quick climb takes us onto the grassy ridge of the Cornizzolo, and then to the summit (m1240, 20 minutes), occupied by a large cross.
The panorama from Monte Cornizzolo is among the best in the Triangolo Lariano: a glimpse of Lake Como, a wide view of the Grigne, the Corni di Canzo and the Resegone and then, of course, the immense expanse of the Po Valley and its foothill lakes; a spectacle that is even more majestic at sunset and dusk.
For the descent we can follow the Guardia ridge, the grassy band that marks the southern edge of the Valle dell'Oro and that we can see clearly from the summit, with wide views over the plain. Ignoring a turn-off back to San Pietro al Monte, the path re-enters the woods and only leaves them at Pozzo; from there we are back at the car in 5 minutes (m359, 1.30 hours).
