7 mountain resorts near Milan to experience in summer and winter

16 January 2025 • 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 just starting out in winter sports. Well connected by public transportation as well, with buses leaving directly from the Central Station, the ski area è perfect for all city people who want to learn how to glide through the 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 local cuisine.

In the summer, at Piani di Bobbio è it is possible to 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: In some refuges è you can dine, dine or overnights, to live the true mountain experience. Another example è the Rifugio Ratti Cassin which 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. Telephone: 0341 911103

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

2. Aprica, the mountain even for children

Distance from Milan: About 2 hours by car

Aprica è a mountain destination that offers an experience suitable for the whole family. The surrounding mountains are ideal for light hiking, picnicking, 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 the winter, Aprica becomes a perfect destination for skiing and snowboarding, with several slopes suitable for early learners and those who want to learn from scratch. If you don't know whether winter sports are right for you, at Aprica è 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: The Rifugio Cristina è an excellent option for eating and resting after a day of outdoor activities. Telephone: 337 337 997

View of Aprica with the illuminated Baradello slope for night skiing

Walk with alpacas and aperitif outside Milan in Paderno Dugnano

Paderno Dugnano (undefined), Lombardy

From 45€

3. The Val di Mello, the Yosemite of Italy

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

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

È a destination also suitable for children, considering that the main trail that crosses the entire length of the valley è nearly flat and wide enough to be safe even for the smallest

Refuges: The Refuge Rising Moon è a perfect place to refresh after a day of outdoor activities and offers the opportunity to spend the night in real lodges, to experience the mountains as they once were. Telephone: 338 331 7507

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

4. Resegone, the mountain of the Promessi Sposi

Distance from Milan: About 2 hours by car

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

It straddles between the provinces of Lecco and Bergamo and precisely because of its “saw-like” shape, it has several peaks; the highest è the 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 the Canalone Bobbio.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Near Piani Resinelli there’è also the Mine Park, 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 è is flat and suitable for everyone while in the Undercaval Mine only those over the age of 13 can enter. Inside the Silvia Mine è a stage has been built 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. Il Rifugio SEL Rocca Locatelli è one of the historic shelters, founded at’the beginning of the last century, and è accessible either on foot or by car. È the perfect place to spend a relaxing day among good food and fresh air or as a starting point for climbing the Grigna. Telephone: 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

The 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 between the paths that climb from the municipality of Centro Valle Intelvi in Italy or the municipality of Mendrisio in Switzerland, or by train. È in fact, a cogwheel train is available, which 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 top station.

From the summit station, a fifteen-minute walk takes you to both the mountain peak and the astronomical 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’è a restaurant, the Buffet Bellavista 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. Telephone: Bellavista +41 (0)91 649 33 33, Fiore di Pietra +41 (0)91 649 77 22

The Stone Flower and the summit station of the cog railway. In the distance you can see the peak of Monte Generoso

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

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

The Monte San Primo è the highest peak in the Larian Triangle: an impressive 1,682 meters in altitude.

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

The entire ascent affords spectacular views from the lake to the Pre-Alps and the Como Alps, and from the top cross you can enjoy a 360°panorama in which on really clear days you can even see the Appennines 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 thousand participants in 2020.

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

Colico (undefined), Lombardy

From 35€

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.