HOW TO GET TO “BASE CAMP”, PIAN DELLE BETULLE

The program is thought out for people equipped with a vehicle, however if required Amitaba can send a driver to collect participants at the airport or wherever needed. The nearest airports are Milano Linate, Milano Malpensa and Orio al Serio, and car hire is available in all three.

The starting point for our explorations is the Baitock hotel at Pian delle Betulle, a very nice location situated at around 1500 meters altitude, which can be reached either with a cable car from the village of Margno (see “arrival by car” below)  or walking from the nearby Alpe di Paglio (Note: Pian delle Betulle, Margno and Alpe di Paglio are all indicated on Google Maps).

Arrival by car Margno:

The cable car in Margno operates between 8.30 to 17.30 daily. Hotel Baitock is very close to the cable car arrival, but if necessary the hotel can arrange a luggage pick up.

Arrival by car Alpe di Paglio:

The walk to Pian Delle Betulle from Alpe di Paglio takes about 30 min and is 2 km long with a gentle ascent through a beautiful larch tree forest. Upon request the hotel can arrange luggage pick up and take it directly to the hotel, so the walk can be enjoyed luggage free.

Parking is possible in both Margno and Alpe di Paglio at the cost of €3 per day.

Arrival by public transport:

Note: For people arriving with public transport, we will do everything possible to ensure participation in the first day’s outing, as it requires the use of a vehicle. Besides the willingness of the guide or of other travellers to offer a ride, we can also count on the help from a few local people. However, it is recommended to travel in this region by car.

At Milano Linate, Milano Malpensa and Orio al Serio airports there are buses going to Milano Central Station; from Milano Malpensa there is also the train.

From Milano one takes the train to Lecco or Bellano – Tartavalle Terme on Lake Como (the tramline ending at Sondrio); there are many connections from either Central Station or Garibaldi Station and these two stations are connected by two stops of the green metro Milano city line  – to check the times visit trenitalia.com.

In Lecco or Bellano there is a bus service from the station to Margno; the journey time from Bellano to Margno is shorter. The bus timetable can be found on the local transports website: line D27 from Bellano and line D35 from Lecco. Both lines continue their trip from Margno to Premana.

In Margno, there is a 10 minute uphill (paved) walk from the bus stop to the cable car station. Please make sure to choose a bus arriving on time to get the last cable car which leaves at 17.30, because it is not possible to reach Alpe di Paglio by public transport and walk to Pian delle Betulle.