The Path Attrezzato Cecilia connects the Rosalba Refuge to the path of the Cresta Cermenati, which climbs to the summit of the Grigna Meridionale (Grignetta). It is not a purely vertical path: it is useful to cut, among continuous climbs, the rocky wall that runs under the Cresta Segantini. A long and challenging itinerary in the legs, in one of the most beloved corners of the Grigne.
Starting from Piani dei Resinelli, in the province of Lecco, reached by Ballabio climbing the hairpin bends. When you arrive at the hamlet you will find parking near the former Alippi refuge (open up Google Maps). From here you go up to the Rosalba Refuge following the path 9, known as Sentiero Attrezzato delle Foppe (1h45 from the parking lot). Alternatively, along the ascent you can choose the variant of the Attrezza dei Morti Path, steeper, which saves about fifteen minutes and still leads to the refuge (1h30 from the parking lot).
From the Rifugio Rosalba take the path 10, which enters a rocky amphitheatre and in about ten minutes, with the first metal equipment, leads to the Colle Garibaldi (1824 m). Continue now on the slope of the Val Scarettone, meeting some equipped sections, up to the Colle Valsecchi (1898 m), where the Sentiero della Direttissima is set in Cecilia. Shortly after you ignore the left deviation for the Path of the Val Scarettone and continue between climbs under the Cresta Segantini. It faces a long diagonal crossing with chains under the Central Pilone, alternating stretches of convenient path to rocks, transverses and cenges, sometimes equipped with chains sometimes not. There are some exposed but well-painted walls up to the path 7 of the Cresta Cermenati: from here the difficulties fall clearly and, with still few steps equipped with chain, you gain the summit of the South Grigna (1h30 from the Rosalba Refuge, 3h15 overall).
Technically it is not an extreme itinerary, but it demands constant attention for the numerous traits exposed on cenges and transverses, some of which are not protected, and for long and tiring development. Along the way it is necessary to follow carefully the signs (blue-red circles), which in some part is not immediate.
High mountain summer itinerary in the Grigne (max. 2184 m). The development of 14 km and the exposed sections require good physical preparation, steady pace and attention to orientation.
From the top of the Grignetta you can descend in several ways. Returning back, you can walk through the Path Attrezzato Cecilia or the Sentiero Attrezzato della Val Scarettone (an imperative downhill) to the Rifugio Rosalba, and then the Sentiero delle Foppe or the variant of the Morti (about 2h30 from the top, 5h30 total). Alternatively, go down the south side along the Cresta Cermenati up to the Rifugio Carlo Porta and then to the parking lot, or face the most complicated Cresta Sinigaglia, with its equipped path, always towards the Rifugio Carlo Porta: in the latter case a long and beautiful ring of about 7 hours total.
Cecilia is often faced after Sentiero Attrezzato delle Foppe. Staying in Grigne area you can think of a multi-day itinerary that includes the Ferrata del CAI Mandello al Sasso Carbonari on the Grignone; on the way down to the lake there is the Hiking Trail e il Route of the River.
- DifficultyModerately Hard
- RegionLombardy
- GroupGrims
- Approach1:45 h
- Ferrata1:30 h
- Itinerary (a/r)5:30 h
- Hardware level difference259 m
- Route difference850 m
- Max2184 m
- Length14 Km
