Moncucco

Introduction

A very popular excursion for ski mountaineers, but also well doable with snowshoes, which takes place on the edge of the Domobianca ski resort at Alpe Lusentino. The destination is a very panoramic peak that dominates the Villadossola and Domodossola plain below and offers spectacular views of the Alps from Rosa to the nearby 4000-metre Swiss mountains. The few difficulties are encountered in the first part of the descent, which, being steep, should be done with due caution, while for the rest the route makes us walk peacefully among scenic alpine pastures and sparse beech and birch forests.

Description

From the car park, pass to the left of the start of the chairlift and up a narrow road to the alpine huts of Alpe Foppiano situated just above; passing between the houses, follow the trees with the yellow rectangles on their trunks and go up the first stretch of sparse woodland, roughly following the path of the chairlift. When you reach the plateau of Alpe Torcelli (1,467m), where the first section of the chairlift arrives, keep to the left, skirting a ski slope and re-entering the woods by taking a traverse to the left, which is detached from the pylons of the ski lifts; The trail climbs up the wooded flank with a few bends and short, somewhat steep stretches and reaches the numerous huts of the very scenic Alpe Casalavera (1600m), where the second chairlift trunk arrives nearby and from where you can see the destination of the hike with the ridge to follow. Heading directly to the start of the ridge, pass by a signpost located near a building and, moving to the left, begin its ascent; from here on, the slope will increase considerably and, zigzagging with a few slightly exposed traverses, you will reach the repeater located on the summit (1829m). From here, still on the steep ridge, you reach the nearby summit topped by a large metal cross.