MOUNT GENEROSO – 1701 m
In the heart of the valley, among pastures and meadows, on the border between Italy and Switzerland, lies the highest mountain in the area: Monte Generoso.
A circular route starts from Orimento, following the herds' paths, and climbs to the top of Monte Generoso, at 1701 meters, where you can let yourself be carried away by the emotions while admiring the breathtaking view of the lakes, mountains and plains. It is not uncommon, here, to spot chamois, the most common wild animals that live near the summit.
From Orimento – Difference in altitude: 430 m;
Orimento – Monte Generoso: A beautiful route, which requires a minimum level of training, which allows you to reach the summit in about two and a half hours. Difficulty: E (Expert hikers) – Recommended period: late spring/autumn.
The starting point of the trail is Orimento (1275 m).
HOW TO REACH ORIMENTO
From Centro Valle Intelvi (CO) – San Fedele location
By car: From Piazza GB Carminati (Centro Valle Intelvi, loc. San Fedele) take the main road (Provincial road) towards Alta Valle Intelvi – Lanzo. After the shopping centre, turn left onto Via Monte Generoso (second road on the left after the shopping centre – you can see the bus station):
Continue on this road until “Alpe Grande” (you will see a large parking lot and a picnic area); from here turn right (follow the sign “Baita di Orimento”) and continue straight until the end of the road.
Walking route: Leave your car at “Postiglione” (the bus station) and take Via Monte Generoso; after 500 m take the path on the right (you will see a sign with the indication and a sign of the farm “Aromi e Natura”). This path goes into the woods.
From Centro Valle Intelvi (CO), Casasco area
By car (the widest road): From Piazza GB Carminati (Centro Valle Intelvi, loc. San Fedele) take the main road (Provincial road) towards Alta Valle Intelvi – Lanzo; after the shopping centre, turn left onto Via Casasco (first road on the left after the shopping centre) and continue on this road until “Casasco”. Before the town centre, turn right onto Via Fratelli Terragni (you will see the Bar Trattoria Pizzeria Bellavista at the crossroads):
Continue straight until “C.se La Bolla”; at the restaurant turn right (follow the signs for “Ristoro Alpe Grande” and “Baita di Orimento”). When you arrive at Alpe Grande (you will see a large parking lot and a picnic area), turn left (follow the sign for “Baita di Orimento”) and continue straight until the end of the road.
Walking route: We suggest you leave your car at the Alpe Grande car park, near the picnic area, and follow the signs.
Considerations for winter: In winter, heavy snowfall can often lead to dangerous situations with avalanches that can even change routes.
There are two possible paths:
- High Street: More exposed, panoramic, with a possible variant via the “via ferrata” with EEA difficulty (the use of the via ferrata kit is mandatory).
- Low Street: Easier and smoother, with a possible variant to visit the Grotta Generosa, a karst cave where many fossils have been discovered, especially of cave bears. The low path near the summit is called the Sentiero dei Pianeti and leads to the Astronomical Observatory (1600 m): inaugurated in 1996, it is open to the public during events organized by the Ferrovia del Monte Generoso or for private groups on request.
Erbonne – Monte Generoso: An alternative starting point is Erbonne – Comune di Centro Valle Intelvi (943 m), reachable by car from Casasco, continuing beyond Pian delle Alpi; there is a small parking lot to leave the cars. The path is constantly steep (the passage with stone steps is splendid) and climbs along the ridge on the border between Italy and Switzerland. Bring an identity document with you, just in case. Difference in altitude: +800 m – Time: 2.5-3 hours – Difficulty: E.
Lanzo – Monte Generoso / Pellio – Monte Generoso: These two routes intertwine within the “MONTE GENEROSO FOREST REGIONAL PARK” (237 hectares).
From the Alta Valle Intelvi, loc. Lanzo, it is possible to reach the Alpe di Orimento (and from there the summit of Generoso) through a path that crosses the Valle dell'Inferno, which starts from the entrance of Val Mara, goes up to the Baracche (a shelter built for the troops) and continues to the Barco dei Montoni: it is known as the “Sentiero delle Trincee” because it crosses some fortifications of the Cadorna Line.
The route crosses the “mulattiera” from Alta Valle Intelvi, loc. Pellio Superiore, Alpe Lissiga (another possible starting point), known as the “Smugglers’ Path”, recalling its ancient function: a living witness is the “Foo di Parol” (a beech tree that holds the smugglers’ words).
From Barco dei Montoni, you can descend towards Monte Cristè, then towards Alpe Nuovo, along Dosso Brione up to Pian delle Noci, near both starting points.
Capolago (CH) – Monte Generoso: The summit can also be reached via a convenient rack railway that departs from the station on Lake Lugano.
VARIANTS:
- Orimento – Alpe di Gotta: Short route through the Barco dei Montoni and the Maggiociondoli Forest – unique in Europe! Particularly recommended during the month of May, when you can admire the blooming of the Maggiociondoli forest, usually a solitary plant.
- Alpe Grande – Pizzo della Croce: Leaving the car at Alpe Grande, follow the road to Orimento and continue along the ridge that leads to the summit of the mountain, familiarly called “Crocione”: an exceptional 360° panoramic point.
- From Erbonne: An easy walk across the border. Other possible routes are those once covered by smugglers: there are many, but we indicate one of the oldest, through the Muggio Valley: you cross the peculiar village of Erbonne, where time seems to have stopped. From the church courtyard a path descends through the meadows and then, across a suggestive wooden bridge, you reach the Swiss side and, walking through the woods, you reach Scudelatte (Municipality of Muggio – CH). The route takes about half an hour of walking.
Further information: www.montegeneroso.ch
NOT TO BE MISSED:
The flowering of the laburnums at the end of May/June along the “Botanical Path.”
NOT TO BE MISSED:
During the summer season you can also admire the herd of Bisbino horses in freedom! For more information on their history: Bisbino horses.
NOT TO BE MISSED:
The Bear Cave is open from May to October: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. For more information visit: Bear Cave.
