Discover a mountain that is still authentic and traditional, including forest walks, views and gourmet stops. Alpe di Paglio, along with Pian delle Betulle, are two perfect destinations for spending a day outdoors, pleasing all mountain lovers.
There are many things to see and they are essentially based between trekking activities, bike rides and gourmet stops at the many mountain huts.
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Getting there
Getting to Alpe di Paglio is very easy: directly by car from Casargo in about 15 minutes. You can leave your car in the large parking lot and then go explore the area.
The Pian delle Betulle, on the other hand, can be reached by cable car from Margno, on foot in 15 minutes from Alpe di Paglio, or in 1 hour and 30 minutes starting from Margno or Crandola with an elevation gain of 700 meters.
Alpe di Paglio
Once you arrive on the Alpe, you will be enchanted by the views from this location.
We are located at 1,440 meters above sea level. Alpe di Paglio is the starting point for many hikes, the most famous being Pian delle Betulle (about a 15-minute walk), Alpe Ombrega, Pizzo Tre Signori, Cimone di Margno and Valvarrone.
When you finish your hike you can enjoy a healthy relaxation in the large meadow of Alpe di Paglio, years ago a ski slope, now instead a destination for many families for a picnic or simply to sunbathe and enjoy the crisp mountain air.
Pian delle Betulle
Another thing to see in the area is Pian delle Betulle (1,501 meters), a beautiful mountain resort in Alta Valsassina.
The Pian delle Betulle is also known as the "Last Paradise" because of its extraordinary beauty and the feeling of peace and tranquility it conveys to visitors, with its small alpine lake, small church of the Alpini and typical mountain houses framing the landscape.
Hikes
Pian delle Betulle is the starting point of many trekking excursions and walks on scenic trails. Here are some tips below:
1. Lares Brusa
One of the easiest and most suitable walks for everyone leads to Lares Brusaa, 1,708 meters, the burnt larch grove.
It is a 1-hour walk where along the way you will encounter picnic tables, a chapel dedicated to the fallen and a large meadow, perfect for a relaxing stop.
In addition, magnificent views of the valley and mountains around Lake Como.
2. Biandino Valley
The beautiful Val Biandino is a side valley of the Valsassina that departs from the village of Introbio and penetrates northeast into the slopes of Pizzo Tre Signori. It can also be reached by a splendid 3-hour, 30-minute one-way hike and 400 meters of elevation gain from Pian delle Betulle past alpine lakes, scenic views and small churches to the Tavecchia refuge.
3. Mount Cimone
Another hike to do on the Pian delle Betulle is the one that leads to the top of Monte Cimone, a stupendous loop tour of 7 km and 300 meters of elevation gain that offers views toward the lakes of Como and Lugano and, further on clear days, to Monte Rosa.
Don't forget your camera!
Jungle Raider Park
Adrenaline lovers cannot miss Jungle Raider Park, an adventure park built in trees.
The park consists of five courses with a different level of 'engagement, the degree of difficulty of which is a function of the type of links used to go from tree to tree and the height above the ground of the course.
The park is perfect for a day trip with children but also for adults.
Info: Jungle Rider Park
Bike paradise
The whole area of Pian delle Betulle is the ideal playground for bike lovers especially mountain bikes or pedal-assisted ebikes. Among the most popular routes we have the Alpe di Paglio - Pian delle Betulle loop from Casargo, 13 km and 700 meters of elevation gain.
Winter
Hiking paradise in summer, another snowshoeing and skiing paradise in winter.
Pian delle Betulle transforms into the perfect place for snow lovers, where many trails and forest roads are passable with snowshoes or crampons to take a hike surrounded by the silence of the forest.
For skiers, there are ski lifts in operation, the opening of which, however, is somewhat erratic. Alpine ski trails are technical and fun although not very long.
If you come to ski, it is best to inquire in advance about slope openings.
Finally, there is also a very long and beautiful track that leads to Alpe Paglio, but from which it is not possible to go back up, as there are no lifts to return to Pian delle Betulle; therefore, recommended mainly for ski mountaineers.
Stops at the refuge
After so much walking on the trails of Pian delle Betulle and Alpe Paglio you are sure to get very hungry. There are many opportunities to taste traditional local dishes in refuges or typical little restaurants, while admiring beautiful mountain views.
Many refuges can be reached by a hike, while others can be reached directly by car. Here are the ones we have chosen for you:
1. Refuge Ombrega
From Alpe di Paglio, with a hike of about 7 km each way and an elevation gain of 400 meters, you reach Rifugio Ombrega where you can eat very well and enjoy a beautiful view of Premana in the distance.
2. Disolin Refuge
Near the Alpe di Paglio parking lot, Rifugio Disolin offers excellent home cooking with typical local dishes of great quality.
3. Rifugio Tavecchia
At Pian delle Betulle a walk leads into the interior of Val Biandino where we find Rifugio Tavecchia at 1,500 meters above sea level. Typical cuisine but also versatile according to customers' needs, such as vegetarians and various food intolerances.
4. Baitok Restaurant
Also at Pian delle Betulle, this hotel also offers a restaurant with traditional cuisine, typical dishes such as " Polenta e Bagnarel": buckwheat polenta, ricotta cheese smoked over the fireplace and seasoned diluted in butter and cream. To tastefully end your day at Pian delle Betulle and Alpe di Paglio.
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