Monte Ponteranica, Mountain summit in Lombardy, Italy

Monte Ponteranica is a 2,378 m summit on the Orobie Alps watershed between Val Brembana and Val Gerola. Its top runs along several peaks: Monte Valletto lies west along the ridge, while the eastern side drops toward Passo San Marco. Two small alpine lakes, the Laghetti di Ponteranica, sit below the western summit.

The mountain's name comes from an old alpine pasture of about 150 hectares in Santa Brigida, bought by the commune of Ponteranica from the Valle Averara community in the late 16th century to secure summer grazing. Each late June, families of Ponteranica paid fees to entrust cows and sheep to commune agents, who kept them on the heights until late August; the cheese and wool were then divided among owners by the number of animals sent.

For centuries, local herders have grazed livestock on the broad alpine pastures when weather permits. This seasonal practice remains visible in the landscape today and shapes how people interact with the mountain throughout the year.

The shortest route starts from the Piani dell'Avaro, reached by a narrow asphalt road from Cusio. From there, head north toward Monte Avaro and take the right-hand path near the concrete water intake building, then join trail 101 past Monte Triomen to the Ponteranica lakes; the path to the western summit rises behind the lakes. From Cà San Marco, trail 101 leads toward the Verrobbio pass in about 50 minutes, then on toward Monte Colombarolo and along the ridge to the eastern summit.

A long southern ridge connects this peak to Monte Colombarolo, passing through natural water pools and varied rock formations. This ridge traverse offers an unusual way to link two separate mountain areas while crossing open terrain.