Hiking - Monte Mondolè

The trails are quite narrow, often clear but not along the entire loop, and the waymarking is not exactly flawless. A very short section to the summit, which can be bypassed, requires the use of hands.

A quick loop to the summit of Monte Mondolè which, despite its relatively modest altitude, offers an excellent panoramic viewpoint over the Ligurian Alps thanks to its isolated position.

From Rifugio Balma (1885 m), follow the dirt road towards Laghi della Brignola for a few dozen metres, then, when it forks, go right towards Passo delle Scalette. After a few metres, take the path on the left for Monte Mondolè. The path climbs steeply through meadows, reaches a ski lift hut and splits. Continue straight ahead; you will return via the right-hand path on the way back.
The route skirts the spurs of Monte Mondolè on the left, alternating some flat sections with steep traverses. You will reach an unnamed, panoramic grassy col, where you turn sharply to the right (north).
Ascend the south ridge of Monte Mondolè, which is steep but wide, keeping to the crest. The trail markers lead to some easy rocky steps, which can be climbed using your hands or bypassed on the left by following a faint path.
After this slightly more challenging section, you emerge onto the summit of Monte Mondolè (2382 m, 1:35 hours from Rifugio Balma).
The descent follows the north-west ridge, along the crest of a small, deep karstic basin, at the bottom of which lies the tiny Laghetto del Mondolè. You lose altitude quite quickly, through meadows and rhododendrons, down almost to the base of the basin. Leaving the track on the right that descends to Laghetto del Mondolè, a short ascent completes the wide loop that takes you directly below the summit but at a much lower altitude.
Continue downhill, through a patch of green alders, then traversing across the slope to the left of a small ridge (be careful if the ground is slippery: the path is narrow and slightly exposed). After going around the narrow ridge, descend via a few switchbacks through meadows and rhododendrons to return to the ski lift hut passed on the way up and, from there, back to Rifugio Balma (1885 m, 1:00 hour from Monte Mondolè).