Monte Fantino

The Monte Fantino is a mountain of the Ligurian Alps located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy.

Geography
The mountain stands on the ridge dividing the small valleys of Rio Sbornina and Rio Sotto Crosa, both tributary of the Corsaglia. The ridge starts from Cima della Brignola, descends till to the Bocchino della Brignola (2.276 m), rises again up to Cima Ferlette and follows with the del Punta Lusco (2.277 m) and Monte Fantino, ending at the confluence between the two streams, close to the "Stalle Buroch" ("Buroch's stables"). Monte Fantino summit is marked by a cross; its prominence is 161 m. The east side of the mountain features steep and even grassy slopes, while its NW face overhangs rio Sbornina valley with a rocky wall of almost 500 metres drop. Administratively the mountain belongs to the comune of Frabosa Soprana.

SOIUSA classification
According to the SOIUSA (International Standardized Mountain Subdivision of the Alps) the mountain can be classified in the following way:
 * main part = Western Alps
 * major sector = South Western Alps
 * section = Ligurian Alps
 * subsection = It:Alpi del Marguareis/Fr:Alpes Liguriennes Occidentales
 * supergroup = It:Catena Marguareis-Mongioie/Fr:Chaîne Marguareis-Mongioie
 * group = It:Gruppo Mongioie-Mondolè
 * subgroup = It:Dorsale Cima Brignola-Mondolè
 * code = I/A-1.II-B.4.b

Geology
Monte Fantino stands in a karstic area. Around the mountain have been discovered some caves.

Summer
The summit of Monte Fantino can be reached with an hike starting from the saddle known as Sella Brignola (1.933 m), which can be accessed either from the Corsaglia valley (Ponte di Murao) or from the Rifugio della Balma. On the sw rocky wall have been traced some classic climbing routes.

Winter
The Monte Fantino can be reached in winter by some Ski mountaineering from different places; a well known itinerary starts from Prato Nevoso. Its difficulty rate is considered BS ('Skilled skiers'').

Mountain huts

 * Rifugio Balma, on the Maudagna/Corsaglia water divide.