Brissago is the starting point for beautiful hikes that can take you up to over 2000 metres above sea level.

One of the hikes that can be done from late spring to deep autumn (depending on snow conditions) is the hike to Capanna Al Legn, an exposed hut built on a natural terrace high above Brissago. It is, high up, "almost hanging in the sky" well visible from Brissago. The hut is located near the Arolgia Alp (1800 m above sea level) and clings to the slopes of the majestic enthroned Gridone.

The Al Legn hut

The hut is open all year round and manned during the high season. It has 12 beds and modern comfort for a pleasant stay before climbing Gridone or as a base for valley crossings to and from Centovalli, Valle Cannobina, Onsernone and Vallemaggia - or simply as the last stop of a beautiful day hike from Brissago. At large granite tables you can enjoy a cheese and salami platter and a cool beer, or a fine Merlot wine. The panorama over Lake Maggiore and the southern Alps is breathtaking. Far below you can see the roofs of Brissago, Ascona and Cannobio. To the south, one can see far over the Po plain up to the Ligurian Apennines.

In the back, there are the craggy rocks of the alpine peak of Gridone (2188 m above sea level).

From Mergugno

Starting point for the hike is Mergugno (1050m), an mountain pasture with picturesque stone houses above Brissago. Mergugno can be reached by car via the Costa Di Mezzo road via Incella, which winds its way up the hillside from the lake in the middle of the village. At the end of the road, in Mergugno, there are some car parks. From there the well signposted and well maintained path winds its way up the beautiful forest.

In about 2 hours you can reach the mountain hut at a comfortable pace. On the way you can enjoy the ever thinning forest, breathtaking views of the lake and, depending on the season, magnificent alpine flowers and the famous laburnum trees of the Bosco Sacro ("holy forest"). Shortly before you reach the hut, you pass a wonderfully refreshing spring.

If you have the strength and time for a longer hike, you start in Bassuno instead of Megugno, also an alp above Brissago, but on the Costa di Dentro side. This is reached by car via Brissago Porta, and from here further up to the end of the road. From Bassuno in 1.5 hours a beautiful panoramic path leads over to Mergugno and then on to the Al Legn mountain hut.