Bottani-Cornaggia, the red bivouac in a rocky landscape

The locality of Poira di Civo, or "di dentro," is the starting point of trail number 23 to Bivacco Bottani Cornaggia. The positive elevation gain is 1,250 m and it is thus a hike between Alpine elevation bands.

The sign marking the destination is at the side of the road, near the small field and a short walk from the parking lot. The trail, which begins after a short stretch of dirt road, is immediately in the woods and climbs in a long series of switchbacks. The fire trail-at about 1,450 m elevation-is to be crossed to rejoin the trail, which continues zigzagging, then with a traverse in a westerly direction, then turns right for Pra' Succ, the only location on the trail, at 1,646 m elevation. The trail is signposted to the right of three stone huts, the highest in the maggengo, and from here climbs among increasingly sparse trees. The hump acts as a passage toAlpe Visogno, a wide plain - with baitone - at an altitude of 2,000 m with the red bivouac in view and a fine panorama toward the Orobian Alps, especially Valgerola and Albaredo Valley. The plain-a peat bog of glacial origin-is to be crossed upstream, between grass and stones to climb the scree, again on its right side. The final stretch, with some steep passages, goes over the hump and here is the Bivacco Bottani Cornaggia (M 2,327).

The return follows the same route.