Starting point: Onno (Piazzale degli Alpini) (mt 200)
End point: Chiesetta del Ghisallo (mt 750)
[Qpart]: 200 m s.l.m.
[Qmax]: 750 m s.l.m.
[D]: +550 m
[T]: 2:30 h
Trail signage: Trail no. 5 and no. 14
Cyclability: On the way back
Onno - Magreglio - Vassena
We start from Onno and reach the rockfall protection wall behind the historic centre, where there is a sign indicating the various routes.
We will follow path no. 5. At the end of the wall, we take Via Val Ferrera and, keeping left at the first two forks, we reach a third junction. Here, instead of turning left towards path no. 7 to Conca di Crezzo, we continue straight ahead.
Alternating some uphill stretches with flat sections, we reach the Vassena Valley. After crossing it, in order not to lose the faint trail, we must stay close to the rock face above us.
The trail now begins to climb more decisively and, despite the modest elevation gain covered so far, a splendid view opens up over Onno and its beaches, the lake, and the Grigne mountains.
After passing a small spring known as “Funtanen”, we enter the woods.
In about one hour of walking from the start, we arrive at the “Furnaseta”, where the remains of a small charcoal furnace are still visible.
At this point, it is possible to take a left deviation along the panoramic path no. 6, which crosses the base of the “Castel de Leves” and reaches Conca di Crezzo (this section is recommended only for experienced hikers due to some exposed stretches without protection).
Our route continues along path no. 5.
From the sign marked “Furnaseta”, placed on a large granite boulder, we move rightwards (towards the mountain) for about 30 metres and take a small trail that climbs for around 10 minutes, then continues on level ground through chestnut woods until reaching some houses.
Before these houses we meet path no. 14 Vassena – Magreglio.
We follow it uphill and, after crossing the Alpetto campsite, we reach the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ghisallo (2 hours and 30 minutes from the start).
Return. For the return route, we follow path no. 14 back to the junction with path no. 5, where particular attention is needed to take the correct direction.
After passing the last house, we move to the left side of the stream (when descending) and skirt the garden bordered by a hedge until we reach its lower side.
Here begins a path that descends through a dense mixed woodland and joins the cobbled mule track leading to the hamlet of Vassena.
We start from Onno and walk to the rockfall protection wall behind the historic centre.
Here there is a sign with the different routes. We follow path no. 5.
At the end of the wall, we take Via Val Ferrera.
At the first two forks, we keep left.
At the third fork, we do not follow path no. 7 to Conca di Crezzo, but continue straight ahead.
The trail alternates between uphill and flat stretches.
We reach the Vassena Valley. After crossing it, the path becomes less clear: to avoid losing it, we stay close to the rock face on our left.
The trail climbs and opens up beautiful views of Onno, its beaches, the lake and the Grigne mountains.
We pass a small spring called “Funtanen” and enter the woods.
After about 1 hour, we reach the Furnaseta, where the remains of an old charcoal furnace are still visible.
Here we can take a left deviation for path no. 6, which goes under the “Castel de Leves” and reaches Conca di Crezzo.
Warning: path no. 6 is for expert hikers because some sections are exposed and without protection.
We continue on path no. 5.
From the large boulder marked “Furnaseta”, we move right for about 30 metres and follow a small track that climbs for about 10 minutes.
The path then continues through chestnut woods towards some houses.
Before the houses, we meet path no. 14 Vassena – Magreglio.
We follow it uphill and, after crossing the Alpetto campsite, we reach the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ghisallo (about 2 hours and 30 minutes from the start).
Return. We go back along path no. 14 to the junction with path no. 5.
Here we must pay close attention to choose the correct direction.
After the last house, we descend on the left side of the stream.
We walk along a garden bordered by a hedge until we reach its lower side.
From here, a path descends through a dense mixed forest and joins the cobbled mule track that leads to the hamlet of Vassena.
