Alpe Pradecolo from Colmegna

Honestly, I tackled it from Colmegna via the hallucinating Via Toretta, which climbs to Agra very steeply with very difficult gradients (even close to 20％), and from Luino, which rejoins the road that climbs from Colmegna between Dumenza and Runo. The ascent is characterised by the last 7 km when after Due Cossani you come to a crossroads with the road that climbs to Alpe Pradecolo on the right. From that point a very demanding climb begins with gradients at least for the first 4.5 km never below 8％ and often and continuously between 10 and 11％. In the first few kilometres, the road is completely immersed in the forest and is characterised by an endless series of hairpin bends with mirrors to check who is approaching in the opposite direction. The road is very narrow and not always in perfect condition. When you reach Alpe Pianello, you pause for a moment for a few hundred metres before resuming a steady climb near a Benedictine monastery. From this point to the end of the climb there are little more than 2 km of demanding ascent to the end near the Campiglio refuge, where the asphalt road ends. The view from the terrace of the refuge/bar/restaurant is magnificent over Lake Maggiore and the Alps as far as Monte Rosa. For those who would like to try something really extreme, I recommend continuing on to Curiglia and then climb to the Alpone di Curiglia, a climb that climbfinder does not accept because it is closed to traffic but is practicable for those who dare, even with a BdC, at least until Sarona, after which it becomes a badly paved mule track. With the MTB, it is possible to rejoin at Alpe Pradecolo.

Beautiful climb, definitely tough, the last 6 km you don't get below 9%. View at the top is fantastic. Reasonable tarmac, but descend slowly because of the hairpins and the narrow road. Very little traffic.

Beautiful indeed, encore!!! I will return. Discovered by pure chance, I particularly enjoyed it because of the San Martino in my legs. The climb is very regular and with numerous hairpin bends. The first two kilometres are scenic, then in the woods you lose the lake. You find it again at the top with a breathtaking view. Super friendly and recommended refuge at the top. Very acceptable asphalt, counting the impervious place. Probably super to do in summer!

beautiful climb from colmegna, quite demanding right from the start, alternating between hard climbs and a few passages to take a break. in the first part you pass through some very pretty villages. the last 7 km are instead woodland, with many hairpin bends, the average gradient is high but fairly regular so you struggle less than expected. this part is beautiful. the asphalt is a little worn but the traffic is almost zero. at the top there is a refuge where you can eat on the terrace with a spectacular view over the lake

Last 7km is a steep climb through the forest. Nice view from the Rifugio at the top

One of the most beautiful climbs in the Varesotto region and perhaps in the entire Insubria region. After five streets, you climb up a narrow forest road with narrow hairpin bends, not very busy and somewhat untidy. The view from the Pradecolo Elk is sublime.