The Rifugio Rosalba stands at 1,730 metres on the Colle Pertusio, on the west ridge of the Grigna Meridionale, between the Val Monastero and the Val Scarettone: it belongs to CAI Milano, ends the third stage of the Alta Via delle Grigne and carries the name of the daughter of the man who had it built.
History
Davide Valsecchi, a member and later president of CAI Milan, traversed the Segantini ridge with Mario Tedeschi and the guide B. Sertoli at the start of the 20th century: a descent of a full 18 hours, which convinced him of the usefulness of a shelter at the Colle Pertusio. So he ordered a small wooden structure, put up first in Milan in the garden of a villa, then taken down and carried on shoulders to the pass: CAI Grigne attributes it to Valsecchi’s villa, while Wikipedia speaks of Giovanni Alfieri. Donated to CAI Milan and inaugurated in 1906, it was dedicated to Valsecchi’s daughter, Rosalba. It was enlarged in 1920 and in the following years, and the present hut was inaugurated in 1955.
What to see
The hut has 46 beds according to CAI Milano, which entrusts it to the company Brialba, and a menu with local products. Not far away are climbing walls, and from here the climb to the Grignetta by the Cecilia path starts, which according to Wikipedia Valsecchi equipped and dedicated to his wife. From the hut you go to the Ferrario bivouac (2,177 m) in about 1 hour 30 and to the Elisa hut (1,515 m) in about 2 hours 30 by the Val Scarettone. Wikipedia also notes that the paths in the area are demanding and should be tackled with caution.
Getting there
From the Piani Resinelli (1,278 m) you leave the car at the large car park and go down to the former Alippi hut (1,180 m), where waymark 9 points to the Foppe path: about 2 hours, 600 metres of ascent, hiking route (CAI Milano and the regional portal). For the Direttissima (paths 8 and 8/a, from the Carlo Porta hut) you need about 2 hours 30 according to CAI Grigne and 3 according to the portal, and it is a route for experienced hikers with equipment. From Rongio or Maggiana, in the municipality of Mandello, paths 12 and 13 climb in about 3.5 hours, and from the Zucco di Manavello path 13B in about 2 hours (CAI Grigne). Times, difficulty and trail conditions change with the season and should be checked before setting out (CAI, hut manager, weather forecast).
Practical information
- Height: 1,730 metres. Custodian: Brialba snc. Opening according to CAI Milano: every day from mid-June to mid-September, then at weekends and holidays, and on request for groups also during the week; it is best to ask the manager. Phone +39 0341 731771.
- Services according to the regional portal: discounts for CAI members, groups and families; reachable on foot only; GSM coverage; hot water; vegetarian and intolerance menus; 38 seats indoors.
- The hut is in the municipality of Mandello del Lario.
Sources
- CAI Milano, Rifugio Rosalba
- CAI Grigne, Rifugio Rosalba
- Agenda degli appunti, Il rifugio Rosalba sulla Grigna Meridionale (2019)
- Rifugi di Lombardia portal of the Region; Wikipedia, Rifugio Rosalba entry.