Corno Birone - Monte Rai - Monte Cornizzolo

We start from one of the parking lots in Civate and follow the hiking sign to the left towards the village of Pozzo on a narrow tarmac road. At the fork above the village, turn right to the Marian fountain (Casa Oro). On the paved path to San Pietro, continue another 50 meters, then at the first left curve, go straight onto a hiking trail and descend to the Tosciobach stream. Cross the stream at a suitable place and follow the rocky, root-covered hiking trail into the mountain forest. After 200 meters of elevation gain, we reach Tre Casot (many Casote = old stone shelters along the way). Here turn left for a long, flat traverse to a fork: the main path continues visibly to San Pietro, we turn right and ascend somewhat exposed to a saddle. After that, a short steep descent is required, and then very exposed on the narrowest path, a vegetated rock face is crossed with short rope protections in a wide right curve. We reach a grassy ridge where several paths meet. We follow the steep left one up in many short zigzags beneath the rocks of Corno Birone and cross the foot of the rock westwards. A tiered rock gully is secured by ropes. Above that, we reach a grassy rocky ridge, which is partly climbed with easy scrambling to the summit cross of Monte Birone.

There is a slight descent on the broad connecting ridge to Monte Rai, then a few rocky switchbacks ascend on the flank of the rocky subpeak to the summit ridge. Over a grassy ridge, Monte Rai is reached with a beautiful Marian grotto and a small summit cross.

To the west, we see the Rifugio Marisa Consigliere SEC in the saddle before Monte Cornizzolo and walk on the broad grassy ridge to the road and from there to the refuge. Shortly before, a hiking trail branches off to the left through the steep flank to San Pietro. At the Rifugio SEC, there is a chapel and a memorial to the victims of World War I. A simple grassy path leads to a short rocky ridge. On its northern side and finally directly over the rocky ground, we reach the large metal cross of Monte Cornizzolo.

Descent to the Rifugio SEC. Directly beneath the house, a hiking trail also leads through the steep forest flank to San Pietro. However, we choose the right path and cross over roots in a wide left curve to the open southeast ridge. We walk this grassy ridge with free views until the forest, then over a few rocky sections, we merge onto a cart track. If you follow it down to the right, you reach Pozzo directly over the ridge. We, however, walk slightly uphill to the beautifully located, worth-seeing monastery San Pietro al Monte and descend via the moderately steep, rough paved street to the Marian fountain and then to Pozzo.