Mount Jupiter

Introduction

The itinerary is not numbered except in the cadastre of Ossola footpaths and on some excursion maps with the number S6, but it is nevertheless well indicated by poles and paint markers. The ascent to this scenic peak leads through beautiful, peaceful beech and chestnut woods, where there are ruins of huts and dry-stone walls that bear witness to a past life of industriousness on the part of the local inhabitants. Proof of this is the stone staircase, the 'scalascia', which is located at about the final part of the climb. As you gain height, and especially from the top, there are remarkable panoramic views of Lake Maggiore, the Cannobina Valley and the nearby Swiss pre-Alps. 

Description

 From the car park, walk up the road towards the church and to the right of the square is a small porch from which the route starts. We ascend through the small village and immediately outside it, at a marker, begins the path that enters a beautiful forest of beech and chestnut trees. The track runs along several wooded terraces supported by stone walls and soon reaches the beautiful little church of the Oratorio di San Luca (690m). Continue uphill with short climbs between other terraces and past a few ruins to reach a crossroads marked by a post where, following the signs, we take the path to the right. Just above it, we come to a farm track that we follow for about a hundred metres, turning left onto the obvious path and, after about ten minutes, we reach the lovely panoramic village of Marcalone (860 m), which we cross to return to the farm track just above. After a short walk along this too, you come to a barrier just before which, on the right, a path marked with paint marks starts off that cuts across the path of the dirt road a couple of times; having reached the road again, follow it for a fairly long stretch until you come to a fork signposted by a pole (1090m) from where, on the right, the path starts off again and now climbs at a steeper gradient, offering beautiful views of the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore. The path now turns into a long flight of stone steps, at the end of which you come to a wide collar (1185m) with a clearly visible marker to the left of which, on the dirt road, is a wooden signpost indicating the start of the path, which enters a sparse wood. It now climbs with a marked slope and with an almost straightforward path we reach the summit cairn and the panoramic metal cross just below it. During the descent, once you have returned to the col and with a 5-minute detour, you can take the dirt road that descends slightly to the left and arrive at the beautiful huts of the Rombiago alp where you will find the cosy Baita Zabò hut (1090m).