Sentiero del Monte Bisbino

Monte Bisbino, for centuries a land of passage, has never been the centre of significant historical events until the Italian military occupation in 1916, during the First World War. To fortify the summit, a road was built partially overlapping the ancient mule tracks. Fortifications were built on the summit for a length of two kilometres, creating a border line that climbed up to the Sanctuary (1.325 m) and was part of the Cadorna Line.

The itinerary starts from Sagno (693 m), where a large public car park and Postbus stop (Sagno Paese stop) are located at the entrance to the village.

Starting from the village centre, follow the little road leading to the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, continue along the asphalt road, after which the official signs indicate an old, cobbled mule track. The road climbs steeply up to the boundary stone in the Crusètt area, where the wooden sentry box of the Border Guards is located. At this point, the mule track ends and from there the path becomes clay. You will even notice a change in vegetation from chestnut trees to a younger forest of birch and downy oak trees.

The path becomes less steep and very quickly leads to the pastures from where you can enjoy a 360° view of the Alps, the Muggio Valley, Monte Generoso and the lower Mendrisiotto.

Continuing to follow the official signs, you will arrive at Sella Cavazza, where paths coming up from Bruzella and Alpe Loasa join together. Climb up and continue towards Alpe Cavazza and, looking down into the valley, you can admire the Gulf of Como and a great part of Lombardy. 

Continuing to climb, it takes about twenty minutes to reach the summit of Monte Bisbino, at an altitude of 1.325 metres, in Italian territory. At the summit, in addition to the sanctuary dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, there is a restaurant and a weather station. From here, on a clear day, you can enjoy a marvellous panorama: the Muggio Valley to the east, with the green ridge of Dosso Bello and Caviano, Monte Rosa, Lake Como to the south, and the pyramid of Sasso Gordona to the north. Furthermore, just beyond the pyramid of Sasso Gordona, you can admire the pastures of the Muggio Valley reaching the summit of Monte Generoso.

Descend to Sella Cavazza (1.162 m). Following the forest road to the right of the ridge, you will arrive at the San Martino oratory and in a few minutes at the Sagno car park, back to the start.