Rifugio Rosalba – loop tour between Sentiero delle Foppe and Sentiero dei Morti

Embark on the Rifugio Rosalba loop tour, a challenging hike that combines the Sentiero delle Foppe and Sentiero dei Morti. This difficult 5.5-mile (8.9 km) route, with a significant 2049 feet (625 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 4 hours and 8 minutes to complete. You will begin with a pleasant walk through a beech wood, offering glimpses of Grignetta and Lake Como, before the landscape opens up to reveal dramatic grassy slopes dotted with unique limestone formations like spires and pinnacles. The trail transitions between wooded sections and more exposed, rocky terrain as you ascend, culminating in breathtaking panoramic views from Rifugio Rosalba itself.

Starting from Piani Resinelli, this loop is a classic for a reason, but it demands good physical preparation and some mountain experience. The Sentiero delle Foppe is generally considered the more comfortable ascent, though it still has steep sections and requires fitness. The Sentiero dei Morti, on the other hand, is steeper, more exposed, and technical, featuring sections with chains to aid passage. Many hikers choose to ascend the Sentiero dei Morti for its impressive high pinnacles and monoliths, then descend via the Sentiero delle Foppe.

This hike offers a diverse experience in the Grigna Meridionale, an area often compared to the Dolomites due to its striking limestone towers. From Rifugio Rosalba, you can enjoy expansive views across Lake Como, the entire Grigne massif, and even distant snow-capped peaks of the Alps, including Gran Paradiso and Monte Rosa. Keep an eye out for chamois, especially if you descend the Sentiero delle Foppe. The refuge itself is a welcoming spot to relax and enjoy the scenery, making this loop a truly memorable mountain adventure.