Sentiero Attrezzato delle Foppe

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato delle Foppe provides an accessible link between Piani Resinelli, above Lecco, and Rifugio Rosalba, situated on the slopes of Grigna Meridionale. This hiking route features two short protected sections with ropes and chains for self-belaying, with no significant climbing difficulties. Its ease makes it ideal for a comfortable approach to Rifugio Rosalba, as well as an excellent base for combining with the more challenging via ferratas that ascend toward the summit of the Grignetta. The route develops mostly along a well-marked trail, offering a continuous and pleasant progression, with occasional equipped passages that break the monotony without demanding any particular technique.

Approach

The starting point is located in the hamlet of Piani Resinelli, reachable from Ballabio by climbing the winding road. The goal is to park near the former Rifugio Alippi. From here, follow the numerous signs for trail number 9, called the "Sentiero delle Foppe." The approach begins on a private paved road (via alle Foppe), which climbs at a moderate gradient out of the built-up area. At the first well-signed junction, keep right; the route, marked with the classic white-and-red trail markers, gradually becomes steeper as it enters a wooded environment. Continue this way until reaching the start of the first equipped section, about thirty minutes from the parking area. This initial part is a steady uphill walk on compact, well-defined terrain, gradually preparing you for the more varied section ahead.

Via Ferrata

The first aid is encountered after a short debris-filled gully, in the form of a chain section. Continuing on, ignore a junction on the left that leads to the starts of the alpine trails of the Torrioni. This brings you to the second and more distinctive equipped passage: here, some metal stirrups and a steel cable make it easier to ascend an easy rocky step. From this point onward, the trail's gradient increases noticeably, but the equipment ends. The route continues as a normal mountain trail, winding across an open slope, until you meet a final easy rock face, which can be overcome thanks to a short equipped section. This second passage is reached about thirty minutes after the first, bringing the total ascent time to around one hour. The progression is punctuated by moderate ups and downs and exposed but always protected sections, with the limestone rock characterizing the entire environment, offering solid holds and a very clear track.

Descent

For the descent, you have two options. The first and most direct is to return via the same Sentiero delle Foppe you climbed, taking about an hour from the refuge for a total of three hours. Alternatively, to create a partial loop, you can opt for the Sentiero Attrezzato dei Morti. From Rifugio Rosalba, descend briefly on the outward trail until you spot, on the left, the turnoff for this route. This trail is quite steep and features an exposed traverse protected by fixed ropes. Descending, it rejoins the Sentiero delle Foppe just above its first equipped section, then you complete the descent back to the parking area. This variant takes about an hour and a half from the refuge, for a total of three and a half hours. The choice between the two options significantly affects the pace of the outing: returning by the same route guarantees a fast, familiar descent, while the Morti variant introduces an additional element of technical challenge, with steeper passages and more pronounced exposure, suitable for those seeking a more varied progression.

Useful Notes

This itinerary combines very low technical difficulty with a particularly pleasant landscape setting. The few pieces of equipment present serve only to overcome the rare slightly steeper or slippery sections. It's worth noting that, especially on summer weekends, the trail and Rifugio Rosalba are very popular destinations. From the refuge, you can extend the hike toward the summit of Grigna Meridionale by taking the Sentiero Attrezzato Cecilia, the Val Scarettone route, or the Direttissima: these routes are significantly more exposed and demanding, though still of moderate difficulty. A possible loop return via Cresta Cermenati to Piani Resinelli, however, turns the outing into a long and strenuous undertaking that should be carefully evaluated. The character of the itinerary is therefore predominantly hiking and scenic, with brief technical inserts that do not alter its accessibility, making it an excellent training ground for approaching the environment of the Lombard Prealps.