Buco del Piombo, from Cà Nova

Access

From Milan to Erba along the 'Valassina' road; go up to the provincial road for Caslino, Canzo and Asso and look for - on the left - the turnoff for the 'Cà Nova' trattoria. Parking in small open spaces along the road.

Introduction

Visit to the most famous cave in the Lombardy Pre-Alps, known since time immemorial and frequented since prehistoric times; entrance is currently only permitted during the months of April to October and with authorised accompaniment. Access is via the main path of the 'Regional Nature Reserve of Val Bova', a very impressive canyon carved into the colourful limestone rocks typical of the area. In the winter season, in the presence of ice, be very careful of frequent falls of rocky material, even large ones.

Description

From the highest little square, following the signs on the posts, take the wide cart-track that leads into the Bova valley; at the first fork, turn right steeply uphill, keeping to the right side of the stream: the cliff dominating the high Buco cavern dominates on the left. The small road turns into a path at an easy ford; through a frequently cut coppice wood, you soon reach a log bridge that takes you back to the right side of the valley. Here begins a short equipped section (chains and an "iron ladder") that, on the side of the rocky forest, overhangs the narrowest part of the canyon [it is possible to descend to the bottom using a metal footbridge and some artificial equipment belonging to the Società dell'Acquedotto] until crossing the torrent again through a rock arch ("Punt di Cost"). One climbs the other slope between trunks and rock steps, taking one to the vertical edge of the Buco rampart (narrow and very exposed path with high grass): one follows it for a good stretch until reaching a secondary valley (tributary, with waterfall, of the Val Bova), the Vallategna. The path climbs up the wood with a moderate slope until it reaches a cart-track that shortly leads to the vast tree-lined plateau of Alpe del Vicerè (villas, hotels, restaurants). Near the Rifugio Cacciatori - signposted - is the entrance to the busy mule track that descends directly to Erba: follow the very stony and winding track through the dense bush for a long time; at a junction with a new cart-track, follow the latter to the left until you reach the steep stairway that leads directly to the entrance to the Buco del Piombo 695 m (very high risk of falling rocks!!). Then retrace your steps until you come to a small path on the left side of the cart track that descends steeply to the bottom of the Val Bova: bends and hairpin bends follow one another until you reach the stream at a stone bridge. In a few steps you return to the little road a few hundred metres from the start.