Ring of Monte San Primo and Rifugio Martina

Monte San Primo is the highest peak of the Larian Triangle. Not only that, it also stands out for its unique "tent" shape, stretching for kilometers from the Lecco branch to the Como branch of Lake Como. This excursion takes us along more than half of this long balcony, descending then the steep north face to Rifugio Martina, a historic mountain hut renowned for its unforgettable cuisine.

After parking the car at Piano Rancio (1121 m, accessible via the road from Madonna del Ghisallo), we start ascending the green meadows of Monte Ponciv on foot, which in winter host a small ski area. Soon, with panoramic views already becoming captivating over Lake Como and the surrounding peaks, we reach a wide ridge that leads us to a grassy saddle near Monte Ponciv (1453 m, 45 minutes). Here, the panorama also opens up towards the plains and other low peaks of the Larian Triangle.

We then follow the broad trail, mostly flat, which leads us to the slopes of Monte San Primo, which we conquer with a short traverse. The view from the summit of Monte San Primo (1686 m, 45 minutes) is perhaps the best in the entire Larian Triangle: Lake Como unfolds before us, with the Po Valley behind us, only partially hidden by the other peaks of the Larian Triangle.

For the descent, we suggest the narrow path on the north side of San Primo — less busy because it's very steep and slippery. We descend a few meters to the west, then immerse ourselves in the forest and begin rolling downhill along a very steep path. When the trail finally gives us a moment to catch our breath, it means we're almost at the sunny Alpe dei Picett (1231 m, 40 minutes).

Here stands the renowned Rifugio Martina, once a simple mountain hut and now a spacious restaurant with two covered terraces — still serving the same identical dishes as it did 20 years ago: polenta uncia (a specialty of Rifugio Martina — a polenta dish enriched by a generous amount of cheese, butter, and garlic), shin, and stew. The hut is also open for dinner on summer weekends, making it suitable for a meal after an afternoon hike to Monte San Primo.

From Rifugio Martina, we return to Piano Rancio along the dirt road winding through the meadows at the foot of the refuge, then entering the forest towards the east and, on level ground, passing the parking lot for Martina's customers, then an old colony, we return to Piano Rancio (1121 m, 30 minutes).