La Cima

La Cima is a 1,810-metre peak sitting on the ridge that divides Val Loana from Valle di Finero, rising directly above the village of Malesco in Piedmont. It's one of the favourite outings for locals in Val Vigezzo, popular both in summer for hiking and in winter for snowshoeing or ski touring.

How do you get to La Cima?

The walk starts right in Malesco, following the road toward Val Loana. After roughly a kilometre, the route turns off to the left at a small chapel sitting at about 880 metres. From there the path enters a beech forest and climbs fairly steeply for a stretch, passing Alpe Colpretto along the way. Above 1,550 metres the gradient eases off considerably, and the trail becomes gentler as it leads to Alpe Cortino, a small hamlet of around twenty traditional stone huts. From there the route heads south, then swings southeast once it meets the ridge, following it all the way to the summit. The full loop covers about 17 km with roughly 1,300 metres of elevation gain and takes around five hours for an average hiker. Reaching the top from Alpe Cortino alone usually takes just under three hours from the Malesco trailhead.

What's worth seeing along the way?

The highlight of the route is Alpe Cortino, an alpine hamlet with classic pastoral architecture and home to the Rifugio Nigritella. It's a good spot to rest in a panoramic setting and try some local mountain cooking. In summer the refuge is open, offering a bar, meals, and a handful of rooms — handy if you want to split the hike over two days or simply recover before pushing on toward the summit.

What can you see from the top?

From the summit of La Cima, the view opens up over the Vigezzo valley, including the northern slopes up toward Monte Ruscada and the upper stretch of the Centovalli valley on the Swiss side of the border. On clear days, more distant peaks such as Pizzo Ragno and Monte Leone also come into view.

When is the best time to go?

The route is especially popular in winter, considered one of the more enjoyable snowshoe outings in the area and suitable for hikers with intermediate experience. In summer and autumn the trail is just as accessible, and the open Rifugio Nigritella makes it easier to plan a longer stay in the area.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to climb La Cima from Malesco? Reaching the summit usually takes around three hours, while the full loop along the surrounding trails takes about five hours.

Is the trail technically difficult? The toughest section is through the beech forest up to Alpe Colpretto, where the terrain is quite steep. Above 1,550 metres the climb becomes much gentler.

Can you stay overnight on the route? Yes — Rifugio Nigritella at Alpe Cortino offers rooms in summer, along with a bar and meals.

What can you see from the summit? The Vigezzo valley, the slopes of Monte Ruscada, part of the Swiss Centovalli, and on clear days even Pizzo Ragno and Monte Leone.