If you are looking for an easy but suggestive hike in Lombardy, we recommend the route to Rifugio Martina. This itinerary is perfect for those who want to spend a day immersed in nature without taking on too demanding a route. Along the way, you can take advantage of a stop at the Rifugio Martina, where you can enjoy a traditional lunch in a cosy and relaxing atmosphere. If you do not plan to continue to the top of the mountain, you can still enjoy a peaceful afternoon, surrounded by the natural beauty of the area and admiring a breathtaking view of Lake Como.
The Rifugio Martina is located on the slopes of Monte San Primo, one of the most fascinating mountains in the region. At 1682 metres, Monte San Primo is the highest peak in the Larian Triangle and offers one of the most spectacular views in the entire area. Reaching the refuge is quite simple: a short and pleasant walk of about 15 minutes starting from Piano Rancio is enough. During the walk, you will be completely immersed in the forest, surrounded by greenery and the sounds of nature. Once you arrive at the refuge, you will be faced with an incomparable view that sweeps across the whole of Lake Como, making the excursion truly memorable.
For the more adventurous, from Rifugio Martina it is possible to continue the hike by undertaking a more demanding trek to the summit of Monte San Primo.
The Refuge
The Martina Refuge is located at Alpe Picètt (Pettirossi in dialect). The path from Piano Rancio to the hut is very easy and although it is uphill in places, it is not very demanding. After a walk of about 15 minutes, you arrive at a natural panoramic terrace where the hut is located and from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Como. From here you can admire the Isola Comancina, Villa del Balbianello and the village of Ossuccio.
It began as the summer home of the Ticozzi family, who used it as a base for activities such as wheat cultivation, cattle grazing and milk processing. In 1928, Eligio Ticozzi decided to transform the family hut into a high-altitude refreshment point for passing hikers who wanted to reach the summit of Mount San Primo.
This characteristic restaurant serves traditional Como dishes. Its speciality is polenta uncia, prepared with layers of polenta, local cheese, melted butter and garlic browned together. Also recommended are polenta with braised beef and polenta and venison.
After lunch, you can relax on the small terrace below the hut and enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Como.
The Refuge is open Saturday and Sunday for lunch all year round, and from mid-June to September during the week on request.
Hiking to Monte San Primo
Crossing the hut, one can continue into the forest to reach the summit of Monte San Primo. The path appears to be steep and craggy with exposed rocks and stretches of unstable ground, certainly not an excursion suitable for everyone. The slope of the path is considerable, the total difference in altitude ranging from 1380 at the refuge to 1682 at the summit.
Arriving at the summit, the panoramic view from the summit of San Primo embraces the Grigne, the Legnone, the Resegone and the mountains of the Larian Triangle; the three branches of Lake Como and the tip of Bellagio are clearly visible.
We have not yet tackled this route but it is definitely on our TO-DO list!
How to get there
The Rifugio is less than two hours from Milan. Simply drive towards the upper part of the Larian Triangle, passing Erba and Canzo and then follow the signs for San Primo and Piano Rancio. Leave the asphalted road and follow a dirt track, passing the Albergo Ristorante la Genzianella and continue to a large car park from which the footpath begins.
Last modified: 7 April 2025
