7 mountain resorts near Milan to experience in summer and winter

17 September 2024 • 10 minutes read

The mountains offer an ideal refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and for those coming from Milan, they are much closer than one would think.

It only takes a few hours' drive to leave the city and immerse yourself in breathtaking views made up of deep valleys and rock walls, meadows dotted with colorful flowers that become slopes for skiing and snowboarding in the winter season.

1. Piani di Bobbio, the mountain one hour from Milan.

Distance from Milan: About 1 hour by car

The Piani di Bobbio are an ideal destination for those who are just beginning to approach winter sports. Well connected also by public transportation, with buses leaving directly from the Central Station, the ski area is perfect for all city people who want to learn to glide on snow with skis or board on their feet, or prefer to simply spend a day in the mountains soaking up the sun and enjoying the typical cuisine.

In summer, at Piani di Bobbio it is possible to go trekking by following several marked trails with different levels of difficulty ranging from easy walks suitable for everyone, to trails reserved for the more experienced, and via ferrata for rock enthusiasts.

Refuges: Rifugio Ratti Cassin offers a new idea of an alpine refuge, bringing together the typical cuisine and hospitality of the mountains with the services and comfort of a hotel. All with magnificent views and directly overlooking the slopes. Phone: 0341 911103

The Ratti Cassini refuge and, in the background, the arrival station of the Barzio - Piani di Bobbio cable car

2. Aprica, the mountain also for children

Distance from Milan: About 2 hours by car

Aprica is a mountain destination that offers an experience suitable for the whole family. The surrounding mountains are ideal for light hiking, picnics, and there are playgrounds and adventure trails nearby to keep children from 0 to 99 years old entertained. When it comes to fun, you never stop being a kid!

In winter, Aprica becomes a perfect destination for skiing and snowboarding, with several slopes suitable for beginners and those who want to learn from scratch. If you don't know if winter sports are right for you, in Aprica you can take your first lessons with the Aprica Ski School and rent all the equipment, to feel out the terrain and understand your tastes before investing in helmet, boots and mountain clothing.

Refuges: Rifugio Cristina is an excellent option for eating and resting after a day of outdoor activities. Phone: 337 337 997

View of Aprica with the illuminated Baradello slope for night skiing

3. Val di Mello, the Yosemite of Italy

Distance from Milan: About 2 1/2 hours by car

Val di Mello is often compared to Yosemite Park in the United States for its natural beauty. This piece of paradise offers an extensive network of hiking trails leading to waterfalls, alpine lakes and impressive rock walls where thousands of climbing enthusiasts gather each year to challenge the granite walls.

It is also a suitable destination for children, considering that the main trail through the entire length of the valley is nearly flat and wide enough to be safe even for young children

Refuges: Rifugio Luna Nascente is a perfect place to refresh yourself after a day of outdoor activities and offers the possibility of spending the night in real huts, to experience the mountains as they used to be. Phone: 338 331 7507

The lodges where guests of the Luna Nascente hut can stay to experience real mountain life

4. Resegone, the mountain of the Betrothed

Distance from Milan: About 2 hours by car

Mount Resegone is one of the most famous mountains in the Lecco area and all of Lombardy and was also mentioned by Manzoni in I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed).

It straddles the provinces of Lecco and Bergamo and precisely because of its "saw-like" shape has several peaks; the highest is Punta Cermenati, at an elevation of 1,875 meters.

There are many trails on the mountain that have different levels of difficulty and equipment required, making this mountain the ideal destination for all types of hikers, from the less trained and those who prefer an easy walk, such as trails 16 and 17 that start from Morterone, to the more experienced who want to test themselves with challenging trails and via ferrata routes such as Canalone Bobbio.

Refuges: Rifugio Luigi Azzoni is located right next to Punta Cermenati, the highest peak of Resegone. It is open year-round on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. To find out about all the special openings, you can visit the website. Phone: +39 366 258 7009

Mount Resegone with its "saw-like" shape as described in I Promessi Sposi

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5. Piani Resinelli, a stone's throw from the Grigna.

Distance from Milan: About 1 1/2 hours by car

The Piani Res inelli (or Pian dei Resinelli) is a resort located at 1,300 meters above sea level in the province of Lecco, at the foot of the Grignetta, and is an ideal starting point for high-altitude hiking.

There are activities for all tastes in this area: easy trails for a Sunday stroll with the family, more technical trails suitable for trained hikers with the right equipment, and rock walls where you can test yourself and climb like real mountaineers.

Also near Piani Resinelli is the Parco delle Miniere, where there are lead mines that were in operation from the 16th century until World War II and can be visited today. The Anna mine is flat and suitable for everyone while in the Sottocavallo mine only those over the age of 13 can enter. A stage has been built inside the Silvia mine where harp and flute concerts are also held.

Refuges: At Piani Resinelli there are several refuges both in the village and at high altitude along the different trails. The SEL Rocca Locatelli Refuge is one of the historic refuges, founded at the beginning of the last century, and can be reached either on foot or by car. It is the perfect place to spend a relaxing day among good food and fresh air or as a starting point for climbing the Grigna. Phone: 0341 590286

The entrance facade of the SEL refuge

6. Monte Generoso, on the border between Italy and Switzerland

Distance from Milan: About 1 hour and 40 minutes by car

Monte Generoso is located exactly on the border between Italy, in the province of Como, and Switzerland.

The peak can be reached on foot, choosing from trails that climb from the municipality of Centro Valle Intelvi in Italy or the municipality of Mendrisio in Switzerland, or by train. In fact, a cogwheel train is available that starts from the station in the municipality of Capolago (which can be reached by train from Milan, taking the Milano Centrale - Chiasso - Lugano - Bellinzona route) and goes up to the summit station.

From the summit station, it is a fifteen-minute walk to both the mountain summit and theastronomical observatory, which is located at an altitude of 1,600 meters and where various evening events are organized by the Ferrovia Monte Generoso group and is available for private events.

Refuges: There are no classic mountain refuges on Monte Generoso, but on the Swiss side there is a restaurant, the Buffet Bellavista which is located at an altitude of 1,200 meters, and a multi-purpose facility called Fiore di Pietra a short distance from the summit that inside has two restaurants, two panoramic terraces and a conference room. Both eateries are served by the Monte Generoso Railway from the Bellavista and Vetta stations, respectively. Phone: Bellavista +41 (0)91 649 33 33, Fiore di Pietra +41 (0)91 649 77 22

Fiore di Pietra and the summit station of the cog railway. The summit of Monte Generoso can be seen in the distance.

7. Monte San Primo, the highest peak of the Larian triangle.

Distance from Milan: About 1 hour and 40 minutes by car

Mount San Primo is the highest peak in the Larian triangle: an impressive 1,682 meters in altitude.

Going up to San Primo starting from the Colma di Sormano is one of the longest trails, with its 16 kilometers in length and 536 meters of elevation gain, but it is also the easiest, where the ascent is gentle and steady. This makes the trail also suitable for families with young children or those who simply want to enjoy a quiet mountain walk among green meadows and spectacular views of Lake Como.

The entire climb offers spectacular views from the lake to the Pre-Alps and the Como Alps, and from the summit cross you can enjoy a 360° panorama where on really clear days you can even see the Apennines in the distance.

Every year on January 6 a walk is organized to see the sunrise from the summit of Mount San Primo. This is an event that more and more people have joined over the years until it reaches 1,000 participants in 2020.

Refuges: The Martina Refuge is a landmark for all hikers who venture to the San Primo. It can also be reached by car and is open every weekend and only by request Monday through Friday. Given that it is very busy, our advice is to book in advance. Phone: 031 964695

The view of Lake Como from one of the tables at Rifugio Martina

Horse Riding on the shore of Lake Como from Colico

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Conclusions

For those living in Milan, these seven mountain resorts are easily accessible and offer a wide variety of activities in both summer and winter. Whether you are a skier, hiker or simply looking for a quiet escape away from the hustle and bustle of the city, these mountain destinations will leave you breathless with their natural beauty and opportunities for adventure.