Grigna Mountain

Grigna is a limestone mountain massif in Lombardy, northern Italy, composed of two main summits with the highest at about 2,410 metres. It occupies a prominent position east of Lake Como and forms part of the Bergamasque Prealps.

The massif offers a mix of long ridge hikes between the two peaks and steeper technical routes on limestone faces; ridge walks provide views over Lake Como, the Valsassina valley and surrounding Alpine foothills. Mountain huts and marked trails support multi-stage ascents and make summit access possible in summer months.

The range is a natural Alpine formation sculpted by geological uplift and erosion; alpine mountaineering and the construction of huts and marked trails developed from the 19th century onward as the area became popular with climbers and hikers.

Grigna lies in the province of Lecco (with parts in Bergamo province) in Lombardy, to the east of Lake Como and accessible from towns such as Lecco and Ballabio.

• Summit heights: two distinct summits make the massif popular for both long ridge hikes and technical rock routes; the highest point reaches roughly 2,410 metres.
• Climbing / via ferrata: well known for via ferrata and climbing routes on exposed limestone faces, so some routes require equipment and experience.

What to See#

• Grignone (Grigna Settentrionale): the higher northern summit, commonly called Grignone or Grigna Settentrionale, rising to about 2,410 metres and hosting the mountain refuge Rifugio Brioschi near the top.
• Grignetta (Grigna Meridionale): the lower, steeper southern peak known as Grignetta or Grigna Meridionale, around 2,177 metres and popular for rock climbing and short scrambling routes.
• Mountain huts and routes: a network of alpine refuges and trails including Rifugio Brioschi, which serves climbers and hikers on the higher ridges.

From the major regional hub of Lecco (on the southern end of Lake Como) drive to the Grigna massif using the SS36 into Lecco and then follow local mountain roads/SP routes toward Esino Lario, Pasturo or the Morterone area - these villages are the usual trailhead access points. From Milan the drive to Lecco is roughly 50 km; from Lecco expect a further 15-25 km of winding local roads to reach parking/trailheads.

Once at a trailhead (for example Esino Lario or Pasturo) you continue on foot: marked hiking routes climb the Grigna and walking distances from the nearest parking vary from several kilometres up depending on the ridge or refuge you target.

• Start very early in the day to avoid the common afternoon thunderstorms in the Lombardy mountains and to catch calmer conditions for the exposed sections of the Grigna massif.
• Use Esino Lario as the main base/ trailhead for routes onto the Grignetta (southern/rocky side); many shorter classic routes begin from there and it saves time compared with approaches from Lecco.
• Several routes include steep, exposed rock and there are mountain refuges on the massif (for example Rifugio Bietti‑Buzzi on the higher massif) - plan your itinerary around refuge opening times or book an overnight if you want to split the ascent.