Prati Brüsada, from Cino

Introduction

A hike that, given the modest altitude, is very difficult to carry out in its entirety with snowshoes on: when snow is present from the start, the summit meadows are dangerous due to the probable sliding of the entire snow mass onto the steep pastureland; when the snow is well settled even higher up, the southern exposure has already caused large patches of glassy ice on the forest track. In any case, a spectacular panorama is guaranteed - on a clear day - from Lake Como to the entire Orobian Alps.

Description

From the western side of Cino 503 m, continue along the forest track to Alpe Piazza 991 m (few possibilities to take shortcuts): from the last hairpin bend - adjacent to the car park of the alp - take the firebreak track on the right that crosses the entire slope of the Costiera dei Cech. Continuing up and down, you will come across the vast meadows of Prati dell'O 1093-1226 m and Prati Nestrelli 1178 m; then the slope becomes rocky in places and crosses a number of small secondary valleys: if you pay attention, you will notice a small path on the left, indicated by a small arrow sign with the words "Brüsada". It begins to climb in regular hairpin bends through a beautiful wood of chestnut, beech and birch trees, until it touches the few huts of Rastelèe; continuing on, you will soon reach the wide open spaces of Prati Brüsada 1584. The huts are almost all ruined by abandonment: the "Cincet de la Brüsada", a small votive chapel located at the top of the alp, remains intact. Return along the outward route.