trekking to montorfano's peak

WARNING: trekking is not like walking! If you can't overcome a passage, go back!
Some of the tracks presented here are set along mountain trails where some passages may require holding to ropes or climbing short ladders, and may have exposed passages without safety protections. These tracts can be a serious danger if faced without the right equipment, awareness and physical condition.
ITINERARIUM® has no responsibility regarding the tracks presented here, their dangerousness, accessibility, praticability and safety. Who decides to take these tracks does it at their own risk.

From Mergozzo along the Sentiero Azzurro and the military road

Lake Mergozzo - Piana del Toce

Download GPX track

Length:
11 Km

Our time:
4h45' walking

Total climb:
820 mt

Min and max height:
180 mt - 795 mt

Type of track:
ring track

Surface:
dirt/paved road - steps

Panorama:
lake - historcal architecture

Cell network coverage:
excellent

Traced in winter:
no

Traced by bike:
no

A secluded mountain with an astounding view on Borromeo gulf.

Montorfano is made of white, light gray and green granite, which was quarried from a cave still very well visible today. In Montorfano town some granite blocks can be admired in the historical church of San Giovanni Battista.

From town's center the trail goes along Sentiero Azzurro (azure trail). The starting point is not well specified, we suggest to follow the GPX track. This paved trail goes along the lake, above the railway, gifting some amazing views on lake Mergozzo's basin and on Val Grande's mountains. From Montorfano town the trail climbs fast until the peak, following the steep ramp used to move the granite blocks.
Onto the peak some military buildings are to be seen, part of Frontiera Nord (North border), better known as Linea Cardorna (Cadorna's line). Made of emplacements, trenches, small forts and an armoury close to the rocks, which is an awesome point of view on Toce's mouth towards lake Orta.
Montorfano is part of a naturalistic protected zone since many birds of prey nest here as well as imperial crows (some can be seen along the road to the armoury).