Hard
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 8.7 km / 5.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,110 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 28 min
- Mountain
- Waymarked route
D12 - S. Bernardo - Monte del Dente
ModeratePiedmont · Italy
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 560 m (1,837 ft)
- Typical time
- 1 hr 34 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Point to point
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About D12 - S. Bernardo - Monte del Dente
D12 - S. Bernardo - Monte del Dente is a 3.5 km hiking route in Piedmont, Italy. It climbs roughly 560 m (1,837 ft) along the way. Most people take around 1 hr 34 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Expect a steady effort with a few sustained climbs, well within reach if you walk regularly.
The lakeshore section is the natural place to stop, eat and swim if the season allows. The high meadows are grazed in summer, so expect livestock and the occasional working farm. The higher sections open out completely, with ridgelines stacking into the distance on clear days.
Start and finish are in different places, which means public transport or a second car is part of the planning. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
Summer here is hot and exposed, so the sensible season runs from autumn through to spring. The nearest town of any size is Pallanza-Intra-Suna, about 38.3 km away, which is where most people base themselves.
In short, D12 - S. Bernardo - Monte del Dente suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Moderate3.5 km560 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
The route in detail
The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.
Highlights
- Lake
- Coastal
- Mountain
- Alpine meadow
- Waymarked and signposted
Know before you go
- Best season
- October to May
- Waymarked
- Yes, signed on the ground
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 95/100
- Adventure
- 50/100
- Difficulty
- 22/100
- Accessibility
- 61/100
- Family
- 44/100
- Dogs
- 70/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for october to may for the most reliable conditions.
- Calm mornings give mirror reflections on the water, so it is worth being there early.
- Check the tide table if any part of the route runs along the beach.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- Cliff edges may be unfenced and undercut. Keep well back from the drop, especially in wind.
Safety
Emergency services in Italy are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
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Trails near D12 - S. Bernardo - Monte del Dente
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Easy
Piedmont · Italy
- Distance
- 1.0 km / 0.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 238 m
- Typical duration
- 34 min
- Coastal
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Hard
Piedmont · Italy
- Distance
- 8.3 km / 5.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,491 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 58 min
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Hard
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 14.8 km / 9.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,602 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 29 min
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Hard
Piedmont · Italy
- Distance
- 4.7 km / 2.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,077 m
- Typical duration
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- Lake
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Hard
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 8.1 km / 5.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,100 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 20 min
- Mountain
- Waymarked route