Valle dei Mulini to Rifugio Bogani

You have probably already heard of the Bogani refuge. But perhaps you have never happened to get there starting from the Valle dei Mulini. If you haven't, take note. Compared to the classic tour that starts from Esino Lario it is decidedly longer and more tiring. But, I guarantee you, the Valle dei Mulini is a place worth every effort.

The Tour starts from the hamlet of Prato San Pietro – Cortenova – in the heart of the Grigna Settentrionale Park. It's a great place to park or reach by bus from Lecco. The start of the trail is from the first hiking signs in the shade of a large plane tree. Don't be fooled by the concrete road at the beginning; soon you'll find yourself on a wooden bridge suspended over a stream in a natural canyon. Please pay attention to humidity: wood can be slippery! The Valle dei Mulini is a place full of charm and still little known. Enjoy it to the fullest.

Then the climb into the woods begins. Feel the breeze getting cooler and the air purer. This Tour is the classic example of an excursion in Grigna: which breaks your legs and never lets you go all the way to the top. There are very few flat parts along the route. At a certain point the forest begins to become less dense and pine and larch trees surround you. Reach the Moncodeno mountain pasture, where I recommend you stop for a moment. Here, among grazing cows and pigs, a mouth-watering cheese is produced. And if you wonder where to buy it, the Bogani refuge always has a supply.

After this last stage, the Bogani refuge shows itself to you, it is really close. Immersed in a larch forest, it offers you a corner of tranquility. I love sitting at the outdoor stone tables, but the interior, with its stove, is also a welcoming place to take refuge in, especially in winter. The refuge is a great pit stop for the day, but also offers beds to sleep in if you want to combine multiple hikes over multiple days. From here you can easily reach the Bietti-Buzzi refuge, or in Val d'Era, or at the top of the Grignetta via the Cecilia equipped path.

Whatever your intentions and your level of training, the Bogani refuge awaits you. I hope you feel like living this adventure. The wild beauty of nature will repay you for every effort!