Lago Scaffaiolo and Corno Alle Scale

Route Description for Lago Scaffaiolo and Corno Alle Scale

If you are taking the cable car from Cutigliano, park in the car park near the Nuova Funivia that connects Cutigliano and Doganaccia. The cable car typically runs from 8am to 12.50pm, and then from 2pm to 6pm in summer. Buy your ticket and enjoy the ride to Doganaccia.

If you drive to Doganaccia, park below the Doganaccia cable car terminal in the Parcheggio Lago Scaffaiolo, and walk over to below cable car terminal and then up the steps. Once at the Doganaccia cable car terminal, go left and pass Rifugio La Bicocca. Follow the trail as it curves to the right, and under a bridge on a broad path. Quite soon afterwards, the path splits. Take signed path 66 that goes to the right, signed for Lago Scaffaiolo (1.2 km). Continue on this path, and roughly 15 minutes from leaving the car park, cross over a gravel road and take the path on the other side that goes to the right, signed to Lago Scaffaiolo.

The trail leads you through a pleasant alpine meadow. Roughly 35 minutes from your car, the path splits at the end of a fence. While the path seems to go to the right, follow red and white markers straight ahead and up the hill and then to the right.

You will soon reach the t-junction. Take right. Shortly, you will come to Passo Della Calanca (1,731 m). Continue to the right, signed to Lago Scaffaiolo. You are walking on the E1 footpath, a famous long-distance path in the area.

When you come to Lago Scaffaiolo, it’s a good time for a break to enjoy the pretty views. Once you’re ready to continue, go around the left-hand side of the Lake and continue ahead. When coming to a small pass, continue straight.

The path beyond the lake is a fine path and when it is clear there are great views. Roughly 6.0 km after the car park you will come to a small pass - Dello Strofinatoio (1,847 m) - with paths going off to both sides. Continue ahead, signed to Corno alle Scale.

The start of the path to Corno has some large rocks that may require your hands. After that, it is smooth hiking to the top. There are great views from the top of Corno alle Scale, and it’s a great place for a rest.

On the way back, you can simply retrace your steps the entire way; however, there is a more pleasant variant that takes you on a new route. In either case, retrace your steps to Lago Scaffaiolo. Just before the lake, go left on a wide track to walk along the shore.

About 1.0 km after the lake, and just after a small pass take a right by a sign pointing to Doganaccia, listing the time as 1h10m and follow the E1 route as it rises.

Follow the broad path eventually coming to a series of telecommunication equipment. Go past this equipment and follow the path around to cross a gravel road. Get off the road and go left towards an old cable car station. Find a faint path going down just before the station, to the left of a stone tower. Follow it down.

Soon you will cross a gravel road and follow a ski run down on an indistinct path. Move to the center of the run and aim for a small path above a gravel road. Follow the path as it goes right, away from the gravel road. You can see buildings below.

Follow the path as it crosses a ski run and then turns around to re-cross with woods on your right. When you come to a gravel road, go right, under a bridge and back to the Bar La Bicocca, a great place for a snack.

Insider Hints for Lago Scaffaiolo and Corno Alle Scale

• Have a snack at the La Bicocca Bar after completing this great hike.
• Leave early and bring a picnic and spend some time at the lake.
• The village of Cutigliano is very pretty, and spending the night and exploring the area is a nice addition.
• In winter, this is a popular ski area with local Italians. This could be a fun place for an immersive ski holiday for beginners.