Moltrasio Loop Hike

Moltrasio to Bugone Refuge and Rovenna

The Bugone Refuge Loop Hike: Trailhead at the Moltrasio Harbor

This loop excursion through the spectacular Moltrasio mountains is not technically difficult but does require a good level of physical fitness due to some considerable inclines during the first section. We highly recommend starting with proper trekking shoes and a generous supply of water. The journey conveniently begins and ends at the Moltrasio pier, which is easily accessible via public boat and hydrofoil services or by taking the ASF Autolinee C110 bus line. Along the return stretch from Rovenna to Moltrasio, the route follows the famous "Sentee di Sort," a beautiful panoramic path that allows hikers to discover the ancient Moltrasian stone quarries. If you plan to stop for lunch at the welcoming Bugone lodge (+39 031 035 0027), it is best to contact the establishment in advance to verify their seasonal opening days and hours.

Monte di Liscione to the Bugone Refuge

Starting from the Moltrasio Harbor, we ascend the historic staircase known as the Scala Santa running right next to the grand Villa Passalacqua, walking past the town hall and the medieval church of San Martino dating back to the 13th century. We continue along Via Bianchi toward the charming hamlet of Tosnacco, where we join the historic Via dei Monti Lariani trail to climb a steep path through the woods. After passing a series of devotional Via Crucis shrines, we reach the traditional dry-stone walls at the gates of the hamlet of Monte di Liscione at 730 m (2,395 ft). We cross through this historic mountain village and, at the main crossroads, follow the trail signs for the Bugone lodge located at 1,120 m (3,675 ft). After a long, rewarding uphill stretch, we finally emerge from the forest as the mountain lodge comes into view. Here, you can enjoy a well-deserved break in the shade of a spectacular, centuries-old beech tree affectionately known as the Fuatèl, before continuing our journey along the path that descends toward the pastures of Monti di Lenno, paying close attention to the uneven alpine ground and the steep slopes.

The Sentee di Sort and the Historic Casarico Descent

We navigate across a small valley and cross a couple of mountain streams to reach the fresh water source of the Gump. At the next junction, we turn right onto the main mountain road leading down toward Rovenna. We proceed on a gentle descent along the paved lane, accompanied by splendid, wide-open views of Lake Como until we reach the local cemetery, where we find the official trail signs for the Sentee di Sort. We recommend maximum caution along this path; while it features only a few short, exposed sections, fatigue can start to kick in after several kilometers of hiking. The views along the Sentee di Sort are absolutely magnificent as the path proceeds suspended halfway up the hillside; after passing the fascinating ruins of the ancient Moltrasian stone quarries, we arrive at the quiet hamlet of Casarico. As we make our final descent back toward the Moltrasio pier, we highly suggest a brief detour to the historical church of Sant'Agata dating back to the 11th century, where you can admire the ancient external frescoes depicting St. Christopher and the martyrdom of St. Agatha.