Lanzo - Sighignola
LANZO – SIGIGNOLA (MT 1302), BALCONY OF ITALY
It is a destination easily accessible from Lanzo (departure from the old ski lift)
both for those who go on foot and for bikers: along the route there is a picnic area equipped by the Municipal Administration.
Avoid possible deviations from the main track because some lead to cliffs. At the top, from the so-called "Balcony of Italy", you can enjoy a panorama that ranges from Lake Lugano, to the Grisons Alps, to Monviso up to the Apennines. Time: 1.5–2 hours – Difficulty: F+.
DIRECTIONS TO REACH THE STARTING POINT:
Reached location. Lanzo follow the “CENTRO” signs to reach the church of San Siro in the center of the town:
Once here take the road to the left of the church
Continue on via A. Spazzi until you reach the old ski lift (before arriving you notice the Lanzo cemetery on the left)
Once you reach the old ski lift, park the car and choose between two routes:
Description of route 8 – BÜIS AND GAI GROTA: 3h 30 – 8 km – difference in altitude 415 m - difficulty E (Hikers)
Starting from the “Valle dei Saraceni” and following the signs towards Büis, you reach a crossroads from which you can continue on the right towards “Büis Alto” and towards the “Vetta Sighignola” or on the left towards “Büis Basso” with a possible detour to “Grota di Gai” (cave built during the First World War); from here it is possible to return via the “Mara” area. Instead, returning to the path towards “Büis Basso” you reach the deviation for path n. 8a which leads to Arogno; taking the path on the right, after a rapid climb, you reach an observatory on Lake Lugano and continuing you come across two crossroads that lead to the ski slope and the mule track that takes you back to the start. If you continue to climb you reach the "Vetta Sighignola" with a possible excursion to the Chiesetta degli Alpini, from here you take the path for the return which first leads to a bend in Via Sighignola and subsequently, one hundred meters after the house, you find a detour to the left towards the locality “Meriggio” and finally on the right you take the path that goes down to “Funtanin de Piasc” and then to the starting point.
Description of route 8a – CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF VETTA SIGHIGNOLA: 6h – 14 km – altitude difference 820 m – difficulty EE (Expert Hikers)
Starting from the “Valle dei Saraceni” and following the signs towards Büis, you reach a crossroads from which you must continue left towards “Büis Basso”; continuing you reach the deviation for Arogno; once you reach the locality “Garavina” continue right towards “S. Vitale” and from here take the path that leads to the “Alpe di Pugerna”; following the path you reach the locality “Alpetto” and subsequently the “Alpe di Trevino”; continuing along the path up to the locality “Meriggio” and from here on the last stretch of path n. 8.
