A Weekend Exploring the Piani dei Resinelli

In Valsassina, within the municipalities of Abbadia Lariana, Mandello del Lario, Ballabio, and Lecco, at an elevation of 1,300 meters, lie the Piani dei Resinelli.

It’s a classic destination for day trips because it’s easily accessible from Milan and has so much to offer adults, families, school groups, and children. It’s perfect for outings all year round: any season is a good time for a pleasant walk through the woods and a priceless view from the top of the Belvedere overlooking Lake Como. It’s a must-see that can’t be missed on your list of day trips!

From Piani dei Resinelli, you can set out on various trails—ranging from those suitable for children to more challenging routes. While the more “adventurous” trails require mountain experience, the easier trails offer plenty of enjoyment without demanding too much effort.
One of these is undoubtedly the loop trail through the Valentino Park , which is perfect for kids.
To head to Valentino Park, you can park in the small square in front of the Adventure Park or in the Miniere parking lot, where there are several places to eat, as well as a large lawn where you can have a picnic or—why not?—even play soccer.

The hike begins here: a beautiful trail through the woods—suitable even for strollers (preferably hiking strollers)—leads to the entrance of Valentino Park.
In about 45 minutes, without rushing too much, you’ll reach the Belvedere.
Before reaching the Belvedere, if it’s open, the beautiful Casa Villa Gerosa Museum is definitely worth a visit; it tells the story of the Grigne Mountains, their trails, and mountain huts. 
On the first floor, there are several rooms: the Flora, Fauna, and Sound Experiences Room, where children will find plenty to keep them engaged in a truly fascinating educational setting dedicated to the mountains and their secrets.

From Monte Coltignone, continue to the highest point, where the view delights both adults and children, who can take advantage of some small wooden benches to enjoy a nice snack with a truly unparalleled view.
To return to the starting point, you can retrace the trail used on the way there or continue toward Cima Paradiso, which will take you back to the entrance of Valentino Park, passing through what was once the ski slope.

Of course, there’s no shortage of good mountain cuisine—Piani dei Resinelli is also an excellent spot to sit down and enjoy a hearty bowl of polenta. There are several restaurants, eateries, and mountain huts, all reachable from the town square in about a 40-minute walk.

For those with time and energy—which children never lack—you can plan an entire weekend, including a day dedicated to an excursion to the Piani dei Resinelli Mine where you can experience the thrill of stepping into a miner’s boots!
There are various workshops offered for both children and teenagers: Geology, Botany, and Meteorology; suitable for students from elementary through high school, tailored to the students’ ages and aligned with school curricula. You can explore Valentino Park in complete safety, searching for the elements that characterize the local weather or flora.

The mines are also widely used for field trips by universities that need to examine mineralizations, rocks, stratifications, folds, and faults for in-depth studies or for bachelor’s and master’s theses.

PARKING:

Since this is a fairly small and very popular area—especially on weekends—parking spaces at Piani Resinelli are quite limited. We therefore recommend leaving your car in Ballabio, Mandello del Lario, or Abbadia Lariana, and walking or biking up to Piani Resinelli.

If, however, you decide to drive, the designated parking areas are at Piazzale Daniele Chiappa and Piazzale delle Miniere.