Alpe di Mera from Scopello: through the beech wood to the terrace facing Monte Rosa

In winter Alpe di Mera is a ski resort. In autumn, with the chairlift stopped, it goes back to what it was: a pasture at 1,570 m with the widest terrace in the lower Valsesia facing Monte Rosa. You walk up from Scopello through a beech wood that is all copper in November.

The route

From Scopello we take the Madonna della Neve trail and climb steadily through the beech wood. In two hours we come out onto the pastures of Alpe di Mera, Monte Rosa in front. Anyone keen pushes on to the Monte Camparient ridge, 1,700 m, for the full panorama.

Lunch on the alp's meadows and down the same trail.

Who it's for

• anyone who wants the Monte Rosa view without driving to Alagna
• anyone fit for 900 m of climbing
• dog owners

Good to know

Chairlift stopped in autumn and the alp's huts closed: packed lunch. With snow above the alp we skip the Camparient ridge.

Getting there

Scopello is an hour and forty-five from Milan: A26 to Romagnano Sesia, then the Valsesia main road. Free parking in the village. Car pooling in the outing's Telegram group.