Reaching Rifugio Cristina means first and foremost walking in the presence of the iconic mountain of Valmalenco (Sondrio), Pizzo Scalino.

Having passed the hamlet of Franscia, in the municipality of Lanzada, by vehicle, continue to the rest area located just past the second tunnel along the road leading to Campo Moro. We set off following what in warm weather is nothing more than the agrosilvopastoral route to Alpe Campagneda. Depending on snow conditions, it is a popular hike for snowshoers and ski mountaineers. Not a few of the latter have Pizzo Scalino as their goal.

You gently gain altitude among the larch trees until you find yourself, once out of the woods, at the first huts in the middle of a plain covered by a thick white blanket: here is Alpe Campascio. Here you have two options for reaching your destination. Taking the right, you follow trail marker 347, while proceeding forward the indications are those of trail marker 347/1.

Trail 347 initially climbs somewhat steeply, again among sparse larch trees, but soon you find yourself at the edge of the open and vast expanse that develops into the Campagneda plain. Path 347/1, a little longer, leads instead to Alpe Campagneda on a very comfortable track, where the Cà Runcasch hut is located. The two routes then meet and overlap at an altitude of 2,200 meters. Approaching Alpe Prabello and Rifugio Cristina is a real pleasure, following a practically flat route that offers splendid views of the Valmalenco peaks.

For the return, the suggestion is to cross the Piano di Campagneda, completing an easy and suggestive loop under Pizzo Scalino, excellently marked, also prepared for ski mountaineers and snowshoers. The trail marker is 305 and for a stretch you find yourself on the Alta Via della Valmalenco and Sentiero Italia. At the height of the snow-covered Campagneda Lakes, you turn sharply to the left, beginning a pleasant and enjoyable descent to the alp of the same name and the Cà Runcasch Refuge and from there to the parking lot.

The article from which this route is taken can be found in the pages of the DECEMBER 2020 FAMIGLIA ALPINA magazine.