| Monte Fantino | |
| Elevation M: | 2094 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence M: | 161 |
| Range: | Ligurian Alps |
| Map: | Alps |
| Label Position: | left |
| Coordinates: | 44.2196°N 7.794°W |
| Easiest Route: | hiking |
| First Ascent: | ancestral |
The Monte Fantino is a mountain of the Ligurian Alps located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy.
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.[2] 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.
According to the SOIUSA (International Standardized Mountain Subdivision of the Alps) the mountain can be classified in the following way:[3]
Monte Fantino stands in a karstic area. Around the mountain have been discovered some caves.[4]
The summit of Monte Fantino can be reached with an hike starting from the saddle known as Sella Brignola (1.933 m),[5] which can be accessed either from the Corsaglia valley (Ponte di Murao)[6] or from the Rifugio della Balma. On the sw rocky wall have been traced some classic climbing routes.[7]
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).[8]