Trekking at the Presolana

This wonderful trip to Lombardy gives unique views and emotions especially in its winter trekking version with snowshoes, but the summer trail is also spectacular. The Passo della Presolana is rather close to Bergamo and the mountains around are really impressive despite the relatively contained quotas.

The itinerary proposed part of the Spalmatti hotel, at 1210 meters of altitude, and reaches 2200 of the pagan cave (passing through 1522 of the Cassinelli cab): in short, it is a steep and tiring ascent of 1000 meters in altitude. Fortunately, there are no upscale or long falsipians and in six hours you can go up, eat a sandwich, take a lot of photos, and get off.

You park from the Spreadbird Hotel and walk along the dirt road that goes behind the hotel. You can overlook the first sign that indicates the Cassinelli refuge along a not clear path, because following the forest road you can easily arrive at the shelter with a series of steep hairpin bends.

In the first part of the path the snow could be scarce or missing, and even the rest of the itinerary even when snow-covered is very beaten, so snowshoes may not be necessary. It is not a bad idea to bring the crampons, even if we didn't need them in March. If then it's summer, snowshoes at your feet could make you very ridiculous: D

In less than an hour you can therefore arrive at the Cassinelli refuge, generally opened both to eat and to sleep. Here you can already admire a beautiful view of the pristine walls of the presolana, as well as on the ski slopes on the other side of the pass and the mountains in the distance.

From the Cassinelli refuge, the path continues to rise, dividing two: summer route (315) and winter itinerary. The first passes under the steep walls of the presolana, for that reason with avalanche danger the second is by far preferable, in winter. The views are equally beautiful, and then the two paths are rejoined at the Savina Chapel.

Indeed, it is good to emphasize that in winter, as always, the snow situation on the steeper slopes must be evaluated, being careful of both ice and avalanche risk. Moving with prudence, however, generally trekking with snowshoes on the winter path is safe up to the Savina chapel. To proceed further, experience and advice from the locals are important.

The steep trail leads to see more and more beautiful views of the rocks of the Presolana, particularly when entering the wonderful valley of the shadow, closed between the imposing mountains (as well as the presolana, also the corzene lace). In our case, the snow was little and fresh, so the boots without snowshoes or crampons were sufficient (very useful, however, the rackets). The itinerary proceeds on dosses until you reach a view of the beautiful clusone bivouac.

the bivouac clusone, free and unmanaged (left, in short, to good manners of hikers: not dirty, if you enter or stay!) It has 5 beds and is really inviting for a sleep at high altitude, In all seasons (if adequately equipped with winter sleeping bag).

The Clusone bivouac is at 2050 meters and is reached in 1 hour and a quarter walk from the Cassinelli refuge. Going up again, in a quarter of an hour you arrive at the Savina Chapel at 2085. This simple construction is really fascinating, with the imposing background of Presolana.

From the Savina Chapel, there is only half-hour at the pagan cave. After the first dossi, you get to proceed on the coast under the vertical walls of the Presolana. With great clusters of snow (this was not the case when we were there) it is better to move quickly! A sign indicates the climb to the pagan cave, for the last 20 minutes of steep ascent.

Alternatively, you can continue towards Passo Pozzera (share 2197), in winter, always only with a stable snowy mantle. Going up towards the pagan cave, you approach the Superbs Bastions of Presolana. With snowshoes, with boots or (in case of ice) with crampons, the foil is normal on this steep path. The arrival at the Grotta is spectacular.

The beautiful stalactites and ice stalagmites are always present in the winter season. It is said that the pagan cave had been used as a refuge from barbarians, many centuries ago, from which the name. However, the two hours of steep path from the Cassinelli cabin are well deserved.

Once I admired the ice games and the views, it's time to take snowshoes and rackets for the same path. An alternative, immediately before arriving at the Cassinelli refuge, it is diverting towards the croissant cabin, from which you can then return directly to the Spreadbry hotel. Doing so, you stretch the itinerary of another 40 minutes, but you see a piece of different path ... which we have not had interest to do, because already widely satisfied for the views admired on the presolana and for the special charm of the BIVACCO Clusone, of the Savina Chapel and above all of the pagan cave.
good trip !!
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