The Generous Cave (also known as Bear's Cave), located in Italy, a 30-minute walk from the Swiss border, is an important paleontological site discovered in 1988 that will reopen to the public starting from Saturday, May 31, 2025. The remains of primitive plantigrades were discovered and studied here, alongside evidence of human presence dating back to about 40,000 years ago, when the cave was inhabited by Neanderthal man and cave bears. This site, known for its exceptional archaeological and paleontological finds, is still today an interesting site of excavation and study by the University of Milan. The ongoing excavations not only enrich our understanding of the past, but make each visit a unique and constantly evolving experience. Visits to the Cave can be booked immediately by accessing the web page. Guided tours, available in Italian and English, are conducted exclusively by specialized guides and to ensure a safe and pleasant visit, please remember that access to the cave is permitted only in the company of a guide and that minors must be accompanied by an adult.
CAVE BEAR
Over the years, researchers at the University of Milan have unearthed over 40,000 fossils of Ursus Spelaeus, which evolved from the Middle Pleistocene (about 30,000 years ago). Its name comes from the fact that it hibernated in caves during the winter. The bear reached considerable dimensions (almost 800 kg and up to 3 meters in length; height at the withers of over 1.5 meters). Its teeth were specialized for an essentially vegetarian diet. In Western Europe, it became extinct about 20,000 years ago, during the last glaciation. The paleontological material recovered testifies to the presence of many other animal species, including the wolf, the elk, the giant deer, the brown bear and many remains of micro mammals.
NEANDERTHAL MAN
Very rare finds have also been discovered that testify to the presence of man: these are flint artefacts made by Homo neanderthalensis to obtain tools that could be used in various daily activities. The archaeological evidence, together with the habitual and geographical particularity of the site, suggest that the cave was the object of sporadic frequentation during the interpleniglacial (between 60 and 35,000 years ago) by groups of Neanderthals.
HOW TO REACH THE CAVE FROM ORIMENTO – LOW PATH
It is a route suitable for everyone, the start is next to the restaurant "baita Orimento". After a short flat stretch you reach a small wooden bridge: go up to the left through the woods for 50-60 minutes to Alpe Pesciò di mezzo (1368 m). The path then climbs steeply for 200 meters of altitude to the "Sella d'Orimento", with a magnificent view of Ceresio. Continue along a wide and flat path and in a few minutes you reach the entrance of the "Grotta dell'orso". Continuing for another 15-20 minutes you climb for another 200 meters of altitude (the path becomes steeper) and you reach the summit of Monte Generoso.
USEFUL INFO FOR YOUR VISIT
Opening period: 31 May – 5 October 2025. The Cave can be reached both from the summit of Monte Generoso (Swiss side) and from Alpe d'Orimento (Italian side). Visits are only accompanied by a specialized guide and last approximately 45 minutes, available in both Italian and English. The temperature inside the Cave is 8-10 degrees centigrade, so we suggest wearing suitable clothing. Groups of up to 15 people can visit the site from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm. It is advisable to book the visit online in advance as the preferred time slots may already be sold out at the time of the visit on site. To book you can access the Ticino Tourism website or directly by email grottadellorso@gmail.com.
Cultural events Bear Cave and infopoint in Orimento 2025:
July 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM – Documentary screening in collaboration with cortintelvi at Infopoint Località Orimento
July 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM – Conference “The Bear Cave – The Marmots of Mount Generoso” with Fabio Bona Paleontologist
August 2, 2025 from 10 am – Third edition of the Tri Salti in dal Bocc”
