Capanna Volta (2.212m)  – Valle dei Ratti

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Time : about h 3:30

Distance: about 4.00 km

Difficulty: EE

∆+: 800m

∆-: 680m

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From the hut follow the path signpost nr. A19, heading S towards the Calvo pass. A few minute walk from the hut, at the fork, take to the right along the path Dario Di Paolo, signpost A20. Follow the white and red marks SW direction, ignoring the deviation to the right for the Ligoncio peak. Once reached the passageway of the Southern Vadretta pass (2.840m), overlooking the dei Ratti valley, descend still SW direction along a ledge fitted with fixed ropes. Keeping the left at the next fork (altitude 2.700m) for the Ligoncio peak, in about 1.30 hr the Volta hut is reached (please notice that the hut is not managed).

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Bivacco Primalpia (1.980m)  – Valle dei Ratti

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Time: about h 5:30

Distance: about 7.50 km

Difficulty: EE

∆+: 700m

∆-: 750m

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From the hut follow the path signpost nr. A19, heading S towards the Calvo pass (follow direction for the LIFE path). A few minute walk from the hut, at the fork marked with the plate “Sentiero Life”, take to the right towards the del Calvo peak along a visible wide ledge. Climb the ledge equipped with fixed ropes up to the narrow passageway of the Calvo pass (2.700m). Got in to the Spluga valley, follow the circular orography of the valley, in its upper part, in an anti-clockwise direction, until reaching the Spluga pass (2.515m). From here, descend in to the Ratti valley up to the Marzel pond, then follow the path signpost nr. A21, Walter Bonatti trail, up to the Primalpia hut - 1.980m (please notice that the hut is not managed). Alternatively, continuing straight along the path at the fork for the Spluga pass, SE direction, it is possible to reach the Primalpia pass (2.476m), from which descend to the homonym pond (2.296m) and  carry on to the hut.

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Bagni di Masino (1.172m), through la valle Merdarola

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Hiking time: about h 3:30

Distance: about 7.50 km

Difficulty: E

∆+: 370m

∆-: 1.300m

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From the hut follow the signs to the Merdarola valley/Bagni di Masino, S direction, always keeping the left at the forks along the way. Crossed the Ligoncio valley, go up to Medaccio passageway (2.303m). Once crossed the pass descend, E direction, up to the huts at 2.053m altitude. From here take to the left and go down in NE direction to the huts at 1.457m altitude and then continue on towards the Bagni di Masino.

Please notice that the trail is not always easily identifiable. It is recommended, the first Hiking time, to walk it uphill.

 

Pizzo Ligoncio (3.033m)

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​Hiking time: about h 4:00

Distance: about 5.00 km

Difficulty: EE – F+

∆+: 1.200

∆-: 100m

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From the hut follow the path signpost nr. A19, heading S towards the Calvo pass. A few minute walk from the hut, at the fork, take to the right along the path Dario Di Paolo, signpost A20. Follow the white and red marks SW direction going up to the passageway of the Southern Vadretta pass (2.840m), overlooking the dei Ratti valley Descend still SW direction along a ledge fitted with fixed ropes. Take the right at the next fork (altitude 2.700m) for the Ligoncio peak. At this point you cross the higher part of the amphitheatre of the dei Ratti valley, counter clockwise, until the huge red mark that signs the starting point of the last stretch of ascent to the top of the Ligoncio peak. Now follow very carefully the little stone piles to avoid unstable stretches, up to the cross of the summit from where the beautiful view over the surrounding alpine sceneries is enjoyable, in particular, of the Badile and Cengalo peaks.

 

Pizzo dell'Oro Meridionale (2.695m)

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​Hiking time: about h 2:00

Distance: about 3.00 km

Difficulty: EE – F (II° exposed)

∆+: 595m

∆-: 0m

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The trail does not have a number but it is well signed with white and red marks and red dots. Following the direction to the Ligoncio Pass, about 45 minutes walk from the hut take to the right at the large boulder with the inscription Pizzo dell’Oro. Follow the fainted red marks of the trail that easily lead to the foot of a dihedral/channel that rises diagonally to the right with simple passages up to II ° (to be followed also downhill). At the end of this channel you get to the ridge, which has to be followed (exposed) up to the top, alternating easy slopes of grass with short stretches of climbing. Descent for the same route.

 

Of interest in the surroundings:

 

The Masino valley (link)

La Foresta dei sassi (link)

Il sentiero sensoriale dei Bagni di Masino (link)

Il sentiero dei Ciclopi (link)

Il sasso di Remenno (link)

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The Roma trail

the Walter Bonatti trail

“Life” the trail of the Retiche Alps