How to get there
To reach Monti di Breglia by car starting from the Alto Lario: take the SS340 Regina State Road to Menaggio following the signs for Porlezza and Lugano. At the exit of the tunnel, take the turn-off on the right in the direction of Porlezza and take the second exit at the roundabout in the direction of the centre of Menaggio. Continue for about 100 m, then take the SP7 Provincial Road on the left in the direction of Plesio. Continue for about another 7 km until you reach the centre of Breglia. Turn left at the cemetery and continue towards the town of Monti di Breglia (1080 m), where there is a large parking lot. Please note: to get to Monti di Breglia by car you will need a daily access ticket (€ 3.00), which can be purchased at the automatic ticket machine found at the entrance of the road. Make sure to clearly display the ticket on the dashboard of your car. The road alternates between asphalted stretches and dirt roads.

You can also reach Breglia by bus, with the C13 Menaggio-Plesio Line operated by the ASF Autolinee Bus Service. Then continue on foot to Monti di Breglia following the signs for the Rifugio Menaggio (about 1 hour).

With its steep rocky slopes, Monte Grona (1736 m a.s.l.) dominates Menaggio and the centre of the Lake. From its peak you can admire one of the most spectacular views of the Pre-Alps, which spans from the Grigne to the Lakes of Como, Piano and Lugano, and continues north embracing the Alps, the imposing massif of Monte Legnone and Valsassina.

Route
From the parking area, take the path on the left and continue until you come to an intersection. Take the path on the right towards the Rifugio Menaggio and the “Sentiero Panoramico” (Panoramic Path). The path climbs up, dividing itself and coming back together several times to navigate around the birch trees. At a fork in the road, continue left and after a long walk along the slope you will reach the Rifugio Menaggio (1383 m, about 50min), a beautiful balcony overlooking the Lake.
From the Rifugio Menaggio you can reach the top of Monte Grona via two routes, which have the same difference in height (350 m) but different times and difficulties. There is also a third way to reach the summit, which crosses the Via Ferrata del Centenario, however, it is reserved for expert mountain climbers with adequate equipment.

1st ascent: Via Normale (about 1h 15min)
Take the trail that begins behind the refuge, follow the signs for “Via Normale” until you reach the S. Amate-Monte Grona junction, continue along the path on the left that climbs up to the Forcoletta pass (1627 m). From here, turn left and climb up a very steep and exposed ridge. After a short time, you will reach the summit of Monte Grona, assisted by a secure cable to overcome the final climb.

2nd ascent: Via Direttissima (about 1h)
This trail also starts behind the refuge, but you follow the signs for Via Ferrata. After a short time, you arrive at a small pass, turn right following the signs for the Via Direttissima and climb up the steep south gully; the path is steeper and more exposed than that of the Via Normale. At the end of the gully, turn left, continuing to climb for a few meters over the rocks, until you reach a short and rather easy stretch with chains. After a short time, you will reach the summit of Monte Grona, assisted by a secure cable to complete the final climb.

In both cases you go back down the same way you came up, or alternatively take the other route towards the Rifugio Menaggio and then down to Monti di Breglia along the same route you came up on.

Rest stops
- Rifugio Menaggio (1383 m) – Loc. Mason del Fedel, Municipality of Plesio - +39 0344 37282/+39 327 8855090 - www.rifugiomenaggio.eu - Open every day from the end of May to the end of September, from October to May open every weekend and public holiday, on request

Notes
The hike to Monte Grona is classified “E” (for hikers), however, there are some steep climbs and the final part is a rocky passage with ropes (maximum care must be taken in the presence of snow and ice).
During winter, if there is a lot of snow, it is recommended to turn left at the first crossroads and follow the “Sentiero Basso” to the Rifugio Menaggio.

Warnings
Check the weather forecast before starting your hike

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