Pizzo Molare

Pizzo Molare is perhaps the most popular summit on the long ridge between Val Leventina and Valle di Blenio. It is also very easy to reach. Starting point is the tiny village of Gariva, from where you initially go up a concrete track which will lead you in about twenty minutes to the Piandioss hut. Going ahead briefly, at a turn of the track you simply go on the slopes to the right, aiming at the well visible saddle called Bocchetta di Sasso Bianco, bearing a large white rock right in the middle. There are no signs and path is almost totally missing; the route is however unmistakable, along grassy slopes which get moderately steeper as you get closer to the Bocchetta. It is a very pleasent ascent, we both enjoyed it (myself and Toto). Minutes before getting to the saddle a path will appear above you, direction east-west, so going west the Bocchetta is immediately reached. Here you will suddenly have an impressive view on Val Leventina, some 1.700m below. Turning left, from this point, you would go up to Poncione di Nara; Pizzo Molare is on the right and the path, slightly steeper now, will get you to the summit in maybe another 15 minutes. You get surrounded by 360° of beauty, from Pizzo Campo Tencia to Rheinwaldhorn and from Scopi to Pizzo di Claro, provided wheather assists. Going back down we decided to try the a.m. east-west path... not a good idea as after maybe ten minutes walk it disappears completely; from that point we went down the grassy slope to hit our ascending route and then only a comfortable way back was left.
All together the hike requires something like two-and-half hours to Pizzo Molare's summit and two hours for descent, but a stop at the Piandioss hut for a typical alpine meal has to be taken into account too !!