At Cardada (1332 m) you get out of the giant glass gondola belonging to Mr. Botta and first join the day trippers, who aim for the first stop for refreshments or the valley station of the Cimetta chairlift. Ristorante and lift are ignored, but not the large hiking trail sign. Right next to it, the well-traveled path leads uphill, first shaded in a zigzag, then sunny out to the summer restaurant of Alpe Cardada (1496 m). On a wide, fairly washed-out path, cross the southern slope of the Cimetta, climbing further to the Pian della Cimetta; finally past the lift station to the summit with a wonderful panorama (1:30 hours).
Back down to the chairlift, then right into the saddle (1610 m) under the Cima della Trosa (1869 m) and on a good hiking trail through the western flank to below the pre-summit (1862 m). Here you go left, following the path tracks, and thus reach the highest point (2:30 hours).
The quite long descent leads first on the east side of the Cima della Trosa over a few hairpin bends into a nameless notch (1657 m) in the back of the mountain, then in a zigzag down to the Alpe di Bietri (1499 m). Now it goes on on the sunny side of the Valle di Mergoscia over the old alpine pastures and Mayens of Faedo, Motta and Bresciadiga (1042 m) down to Busada and on asphalt into Mergoscia (731 m; 4:30 hours). The village, which consists of several hamlets, was not connected to the road until 1900; it lies on the southern slope of a mountain spur that drops steeply to the Vogorno reservoir (470 m). The many old houses are striking; Chestnut trees and vineyards provide the picturesque setting.