Via Alta della Verzasca - Stage 5: Capanna Cognora-Capanna Barone

From Cognora mountain hut (1938 m) the prepared path takes you beneath the majestic Cima Bianca peak going to Passo di Piatto (2111 m). *After Passo Piatto the route goes southward and passes the foot of Pizzo dei Laghetti, Pizzo della Bedéia and Pizzo di Piancói, a balcony at the top of Val Vegornèss! From near Pizzo di Piancói, you will pass many pastures and screes on your way to Barone mountain hut (2172 m). A slight detour before you get there will take you to Barone lake (2391 m) or, better still, you can wrap up this excellent hike on Verzasca's highest summit, Pizzo Barone (2864 m). It will take you another 1.5 hours to reach the summit.

*“Via Nicola Balestra” variant, difficulty T6 - Time 6 hours
There is an alternative route starting at Passo di Piatto, albeit a very challenging one. A commemorative plaque dedicated to a friend and alpine guide Nicola Balestra who tragically disappeared on Monte Bianco in 2006 signals the start. This route is not prepared and is only for expert mountaineers. The trail is signposted up to Uomo di Campionigo (2572 m), an unmistakeable towering monolith, twenty metres high and standing against the sky like a flame. The descent is not marked and goes south over ledges and screes until you find the path going west to Barone mountain hut.