Walking in Lombardia ... To Piani d'Erna through Stoppani Refuge

filled by Giulia & Romeo

With just over half an hour's drive from Milan you can immerse yourself in nature to breathe the perfume of the 4 seasons and observe the different colors. With the snow or the flowered meadows, the walk to the Refuge Stoppani and then continued up to the plans Erna is a breath of fresh air and energy that fortifies the greyness in and around Milan.
It starts from a path behind the square of the cable car departure for Piani d'Erna, who is already at 600 meters high, and in 45 minutes you make a difference of 290 meters.
Go down the path and follow the yellow signs "all directions" and the trail white / red / yellow n.1, until you reach the road that comes from Versasio and which is closed to traffic. You enter to the right, and proceed in the woods and continue ignoring the various deviations. You continue to walk on the cobbled mule track until you see on the left of the path a niche with the representation of Holy Mary and the huts of the Costa. Here you will find a fork (m. 770): it goes straight to "rif.Azzoni" and "Campo de Boi", and to go to the Piani d'Erna turns sharply to the left going to the village of Costa.
Let the houses behind you cross a large lawn with a beautiful view of Lecco and the surrounding mountains. At the end of the lawn is on the left of the shrine of Our Lady of Resegone dedicated to the fallen on the slopes of Mt.
Then you enter uphill in the beautiful forest of chestnut ignoring all traces of the path that detach from the main path.
After a strong curve to the right, you find yourself in front of the Rifugio Stoppani. To achieve Piani d'Erna, another hour of walking ...
From here you continue on the path n 1 with a few turns down towards the bottom of the valley Comera, it exceeds among the rocks and continue halfway, always in the bushes, to cross a wooded strip and go up and down. After crossing the ridge we descend slowly to the bottom of another channel val Comera, covered with boulders and gravel, and lift the opposite side of you continue up until you reach the meadows of the floor of the Hay. (30 minutes from the start). From here you go up to the mouth of Erna and then change and take the path n 7.
Arriving at Piani d'Erna enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains, the Dolomites appear in miniature. At Milani Refuge you can have a view lunch: in front of the windows overlooking the mountains you can enjoy a dish of polenta with different variations of meat at a very low cost.
Alternatively, for those unwilling to walk, but just look at the view ... we suggest the ascent and descent by cable car. (5 euro each way)

How to reach the start point, the square of the cable car

By car from Milan / Como

Walk along the SS36 towards Sondrio. After passing through the tunnel of Monte Barro,
take the exit "Manzoni (hospital), Valsassina" and proceed to the exit tunnel "Versasio." At the stop sign turn left for "Versasio, Piani d'Erna." Continue following the "cable car" until you reach the square of the departure station of the cable car to the Piani d'Erna. Here you can park your car. (2 Euros for the whole day)
On the right side of the square you will see a yellow placard with directions to various destinations, including
"Stoppani refuge." Here begins the trek to the refuge (segnaviabianco / red / yellow no. 1).

By public transport
You can arrive by train at the railway station of Lecco. From here, take the bus line 5 (www.lineelecco.it) that leads to the cable car to the Piani d'Erna. Down the line, the square of the departure station of the cable car to the Piani d'Erna.
On the right side of the square you will see a yellow placard with directions to various destinations, including
"Stoppani refuge." Here begins our journey to the shelter (marked red / white / yellow 1).