Presolana Pass to the City of Clusone bivouac

This trek presents difficulty E (hiker) to the Pagani cave. From here you can leave your trekking sticks because you will need your hands to cling to the rocks. The section between the cave and the summit cross is marked as AF (Easy Mountaineering) on the guides. Don't be fooled by the adjective easy, you have to be extremely careful. The section presents first and second level mountaineering difficulties. Always find some grip for your feet and hands. Follow the red signs but carefully because there are different segments marked that lead to different difficulties: choose according to your skills.

Komoot described the mostly well-maintained trails and the tour as moderately difficult. Well, that's not entirely accurate in my opinion: the ascent to the Refugio Carlo Medici au Cassinelli wasn't exactly suitable for inexperienced hikers. It was quite challenging in places, both in terms of the gradient and the terrain! On the descent from the bivouac, komoot lost track of the trails and showed trails where there were none. Overall, a very nice tour, though 🤩

An impressive fog at high altitude, that's why I went "violet" several times when I was coming down from the bivouac. That's why I always have my GPS with me even when I go to known places!

PRESOLANA: etymology Among others, there are two interesting legends relating to the origin of the name "Presolana". The first narrates that in the year 463 the barbaric people of the "Alani" crossed the Alps and took possession of that part of the Bergamo territory. Rome sent an army which after a bloody battle defeated the Alans, hence "Preso-Alani" transformed over the centuries into "Presolana". The second legend, however, always speaks of an invasion of the Barbarians, this time led by King "Lana" who took up residence with his warriors in the Pagan Cave. Also in this case the Romans defeated King "Lana" from which "Preso-Lana" contracted into "Presolana". Others derive "Presolana" from the dialect term "Praizzola" = Praticello. To avoid any misunderstanding, all these hypotheses are part of the "Narration" (storytelling) which has nothing to do with the "History" (documented).

Very muddy terrain up to the Medici refuge, after which little snow for being mid-February and very hot (too much) I recommend going on a day other than Sunday given the ease of getting there you can find the path very crowded

Little to say about the Queen of Orobie. The beauty of this mountain and of all the possible excursions it offers is indisputable. One of the most classic is the Grotta dei Pagani, passing by the Savina Chapel and the Bivouac Città di Clusone. I like to do it in winter, when a lot of snow has already melted, offering breathtaking snow/rock landscapes. In the cave there are still many ice stalactites and stalagmites. Many so to speak, as this place has become famous in very rigid years, now past, in which the entire cave was practically full of ice. Today I meet many chamois, in particular, with a group of seven elements.

Easy up to the Cassinelli hut, medium up to the Clusone city bivouac, difficult up to the cave and the last challenging (but fun!) piece.

From the Presolana Pass, towards the Malga Cassinelli passing through the Savina Chapel and the Grotta dei Pagani. The intention was to climb to the summit of the Western Presolana, but the I and II grade passages made me give up, I didn't feel safe, my legs didn't respond, I returned to the valley with a bitter taste in my mouth