Monte Altissimo, Mountain summit in Lombardy, Italy

Monte Altissimo is a 1,703 m summit in the Bergamasque Prealps, rising between the lower Val Camonica and the lower Val di Scalve and separated from Pizzo Camino by the Borno plateau. Its southern face, above the Oglio, is rocky and almost bare, with 1,500 m of drop from the river; the northern side slopes gently toward Borno, covered in firs. Ski lifts and pistes of the Borno Ski Area lie on that northern flank.

The mountain's human history is one of pasture and, later, skiing rather than warfare. Its northern and western slopes are dotted with malghe, cascine and small baite, many still occupied in summer. From 2005 a cable car from Borno reached the summit; it was dismantled and replaced by a four-seat chairlift from Borno to Dosso Plai (1307 m), with a second chairlift continuing to the top.

The name Pagherola, used for a spot near the summit, comes from paghér, the Camunian dialect word for fir, the trees covering the northern slope. The northern and western flanks are dotted with malghe, cascine and small baite, many still occupied in summer. Since 2007 a marked ski-mountaineering route climbs from the Ogne ski school lift through Baita Mensi, Dosso Plai and Malga Guccione.

Sturdy footwear is necessary on all routes, as sections of the trail are steep and rocky throughout. Starting early in the morning is a good idea, especially in summer when afternoon heat and changing weather can make the upper parts less comfortable.

The summit can be reached by a chairlift from Dosso Plai (1,307 m), where the upper section of a cable car dismantled in 2005 was replaced by a four-seat chairlift. The lift runs when the ski slopes are open and in summer while the restaurant-refuge just below the top is open.