Monte Capio

The Monte Capio is a mountain in the Pennine Alps of north-western Italy; with an elevation of is one of the highest peaks of the Alpi Cusiane.

Geography

The mountain is located on the water divide between the valleys of the Strona and the Mastallone. The main ridge goes on southwards with Passo dei Rossi, a mountain pass dividing Monte Capio from the neighbouring Cima dei Rossi, while northwards the chain continues with Bocchetta di Rimella and then with the Altemberg. Administratively the summit of Monte Capio is the tripoint where the borders of the comunes of Rimella, Cravagliana and Valstrona meet. Close to the main elevation of the mountain stands a subsummit with a small cross and a metal bell. A sharp saddle connecting it with the actual summit is equipped with a metal cable, in order to facilitate the passage. A trigpoint of the IGM marks the main summit, where also stands a metal box with a register.

SOIUSA classification

According to the SOIUSA the mountain can be classified in the following way:

main part = Western Alps
major sector = North Western Alps
section = Pennine Alps
subsection = Southern Valsesia Alps
supergroup = Alpi Cusiane
group = Costiera Capio-Massa del Turlo
code = I/B-9.IV-B.3

History

On the eastern slopes of the mountain worked in the past a nikel mine, whose remains are still recognisable. In 2017 the local authorities authorised new mining prospectings aiming to search for presence of nickel, copper, platinum and gold minerals.

Access to the summit

The summit of the Capio can be accessed starting from Campello Monti, or following a longer footpath from Sabbia, in Valsesia. The Monte Capio is quite a well known hiking destination because

Nature conservation

The slopes of Monte Capio facing Valstrona are part of the regional park of Alta Val Sesia e dell'Alta Val Strona.