Grassi Refuge, from the bridge over the Troggia Torrent
Introduction
The winter excursion to the Grassi hut is generally made through the Val Biandino, which is accessed via a long agro-sylvo-pastoral road that starts from Introbio (m 587) in Valsassina. In summer, it is possible to shorten the route by taking the car to the car park on the left just before crossing the first bridge over the Troggia stream, 150 m higher up. In winter, it is necessary to ascend on foot or by off-road vehicle.
Description
The ascent takes place in a narrow valley first on the right-hand side of the stream to the aforementioned bridge, where near a barrier you take a path to the right that cuts a few hairpin bends. After about ten minutes, the road is found again and just afterwards a fountain. A little further on, we again come to a bridge that leads back to the left of the stream. You pass a farmstead and further on a building dedicated to Captain Pietro Magni.
The road becomes a little steeper and after a few hairpin bends reaches the Bocca di Biandino (1493 m).
Finally the narrow valley, which is covered entirely in shade, makes way for a magnificent plateau surrounded by snow-capped mountains: we are in the Val Biandino. To the left is the Tavecchia hut (1,496 m), to the right the Bocca di Biandino hut, and in front of it the snow-covered tracks go straight for the Madonna della Neve hut and the Santa Rita hut.
Opposite the Tavecchia hut, near a small wooden bridge that crosses the Troggia stream, are the signs for the Grassi hut.
Now the path winds its way steeply and snakingly through a larch wood, from where it comes out at an altitude of 1,688 metres at the Pio X alpine house. Here the slope becomes gentler and it is possible to observe a large part of the ascent path, which continues more or less steeply in a south-easterly direction to the Camisolo Pass (2040 m). Shortly before, the peak of the Pizzo Tre Signori, the undisputed king of the area, comes into view.
At the pass, the hut is in sight, located a little below (1987 m) in an impressive and evocative setting.
The Grassi hut is run by a young couple (Anna and Peter Bortoletto) and is known for the great hospitality of the hut keepers, as well as for its genuine and appetising cuisine.
For the descent, use the same route as for the ascent.