Monte Maggiorasca: the climb from Santo Stefano d’Aveto

Why people climb it from here

From the top you see the Aveto valley, the Ceno valley and the ridges of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines; in clear air you can see the Apuan Alps. Maggiorasca is part of the Aveto Regional Natural Park and has a rare high-altitude flora: on the basalt rocks grow alpine species and Apennine endemics, such as Primula marginata and Armeria marginata. Until about 1970 there was a ski lift here: the foundations of two pylons remain.

The statue dates from 1947: in thanks for the protection given to the valley during the war, a bronze Our Lady of Guadalupe was placed on the top, the work of Gaetano Olivari. Every 27 August a pilgrimage climbs up to it.

Three ways up

By chairlift, from Rocca d'Aveto

This is the shortest way. From the Rocca d’Aveto car park the chairlift climbs to Prato della Cipolla, where there is a hut with a restaurant; a second section goes to Monte Bue (about 1,775 m). From Bue you follow the ridge to Maggiorasca, passing the Costazza saddle (1,677 m). The Inalto trip report gives 2 hours 45 to 3 hours for the full loop, with about 200 metres of climbing, and rates it E (hiking): the stretch after the summit is poorly marked. A short detour leads to Lago Nero, a small pond.

This route works only with the lifts open. The operator (Ski Area Santo Stefano d’Aveto) publishes the summer calendar as an image and we found no firm date for 2026-27: call 366 4227837 before you go. The fare for the ride is not confirmed.

On foot, from Rocca d'Aveto

If the chairlift is closed, the same trip is done on foot: the Inalto report estimates about 450 metres more up to the saddle between Bue and Maggiorasca, and about 2 hours 15 more there and back. Other reports describe a long loop from Rocca d’Aveto via Monte Roncalla, Monte Nero and Passo della Lepre: over 16 km and almost 1,000 metres of climbing, for fit hikers. For shoes and gear see below.

From the village, via Prato della Cipolla

From Santo Stefano d’Aveto there is a loop via Prato della Cipolla: according to Komoot it is about 11 km with 780 m of climbing, 4 hours 40 minutes, of medium difficulty. The figure is indicative and does not come from an official source: check paths and waymarks on site or with the Aveto Park (0185 340311).

Maggiorasca in winter

With snow, Maggiorasca becomes a snowshoe and ski mountaineering goal, and Prato della Cipolla is the starting point for skiers. At the end of January 2026, after snowfalls, on the weekend of 31 January and 1 February both chairlifts, the drag lift and the moving carpet were open, with pistes above 1,600 metres and hours from 9 to 16:30. But snow is not always enough: openings are announced on the Facebook page “Impianti Val d’Aveto”.

In winter the summit is exposed to wind and fog, and snow hides the paths. Go only in stable weather, check the ARPAL alert and take micro-spikes or snowshoes according to conditions. There are also climbing routes on the mountain, summer and winter, but they are for equipped climbers.

What to bring and when to avoid it

Hiking shoes, a windproof jacket and extra layers even in summer: at 1,800 metres the temperature changes quickly and fog arrives without warning. Bring water and a Park map. Avoid Maggiorasca in thunderstorms or thick fog, and if you count on the chairlift for the return, ask first about the time of the last ride.