Laghetto isola felice – alpeggio Fogarolo – Rif. Parafulmine

Departing from the Laghetto Isola Felice – the little lake of “Happy Island” – along the agricultural-woodland road leading to the Fogarolo alpine pasture, continue on the path to the Rifugio Parafulmine. The journey time is 2 hours and 30 minutes, along the 8.7-kilometre route.

Route Description

There is a car park on Via Vogno near a small lake known as the Isola Felice – “Happy Island”. From here, you will see a broad dirt road which you can follow to the first fork, keeping to the left. Shortly afterwards, you come to the little chapel of the San Lorenzo Alpine troops before continuing uphill along many hairpin bends. Proceed straight through the forest along a narrower path following the signs for Alpe Fogarolo until you come to a fork. Take the left (with a sign that the Alpe is 50 minutes away). After about 10 minutes, you come out of the forest into a wide meadow. From here, you proceed straight ahead, down the middle between two rows of trees. Stick to the main path to enjoy splendid views of Presolana and Lake Iseo. Continue walking along a dirt road until reaching the Fogarolo alpine pasture. After crossing the alpine pasture, descend slightly then near the animal waterhole, take the right-hand path towards the Montagnina. The path continues on a somewhat steep terrain dotted with fir trees before reaching a pass. Here, following the signs, proceed to the right where a beautiful panoramic path opens up, from which you can see the hillock leading to the Rifugio Parafulmine. You will reach the Tribülina dei Morti, just below the hillock. From here, continue to the left in the direction of Campo d’Avene.  In about 15 minutes, you will come to the Rifugio Parafulmine. From the Rifugio, you can enjoy the panorama of the Farno basin. Now you can continue on to the summit of Monte Formico.

Details

• Starting point: Laghetto Isola Felice
• Difficulty: medium/difficult – hiking
• Difference in altitude: 950 metres
• Travel time: 3 hours (each way)
• Distance: 8.7 kilometres