In the Lario Intelvese area the extensive and strong coverings of sedimentary-carbonate rocks have allowed the formation of karstic phenomena, both superficial and hypogeal.
DIFFICULTY - Potholing is a potentially dangerous activity and many of the caves on the list require knowledge of how to move along with a rope and appropriate materials. In some caves there is also the danger of "flooding" through the siphons which, if they fill up, could create serious difficulties. Anchors (Oct 2013) are generally considered exploratory/just sufficient, with possible integration needs.
USEFUL INFORMATION - For general information and to experience the thrill of a descent into a cave, accompanied by qualified potholing guides (with specific equipment hire), contact Antonio 335 5480 565 at Salandin San Fedele Intelvi within the opening hours of the shoe shop.
Bibliography: Catasto italiano cavità naturali - Grotte in provincia di Como, A. Bini - Lombardia Dentro, A. Buzio e M. Pozzo - Abissi e Grotte in Lombardia, A. Buzio.
SPORTS CAVES - Pizzala LoCo 2196 Municipality Brienno, Mt Comana, Moltrasio limestone, altitude 285, length 640 m, elevation gain -60; +20mt, course: equipment slide and horizontal sub, material: normal rope progression, notes: siphon. Buco della Volpe LoCo 2210 Cernobbio, loc. Rovenna-monti Scarone, Mt. Bisbino, Moltrasio limestone, alt. 635, l. 2015, elev. gain +115; -49, horiz. sub course with vertical for the bottom, normal rope progression equipment. Zocca D'Ass LoCo 2212 Moltrasio, Zocca d'Ass mountains, mt Bisbino, Moltr. limestone, alt. 915, l. 550, elev. gain +24; -107, mixed course, rope equipment, notes: entry in private building (cellar with door). Alpe Madrona LoCo 2281 Moltrasio, Alpe Madrona, Mt Bisbino, Moltr. limestone, alt. 915 l. 568, elev. gain -130, rope equipment
notes: some technical passages. Nevera (system) LoCo 2693 Centro Valle Intelvi, locality of S. Fedele, alp Squadrina, Mt. Generoso, Moltr. limestone, alt. 1142, l. 2018 elev. gain +25; -330, mixed course with moderate vertical succession, normal progression equipment, quite demanding and relatively low temperatures for the altitude and exposure. Immacolata LoCo 2698 Centro Valle Intelvi, locality of S. Fedele, alpe Orimento-Squadrina, Mt Generoso, Moltr limestone, alt. 1140, l. 2268, elev. gain +5; -325, mixed course with rolling mill and verticals. 2 entrances. Buco della Rotella LoCo 2211 Griante, monti di Nava, Mt Dossone, alt. 875, dolomite, l. elev. gain 87, vertical course, normal equipment on rope. Unique beautiful fractional vertical. Bucone di Tremezzo LoCo 2223 Common Tremezzo, loc Sassi di Nava, Mt Dossone, dolomite princ, altitude 478 length 541 (extension 205 mt) elev. gain +48; -14 - horizontal course on two overlapping levels, rope equipment none, approach with exposed passages (climbing III) protected by unreliable chains.
TOURIST CAVES - passable without equipment
GENEROSA CAVE (or dell'Orso Cave) - LoCo 2694 San Fedele Intelvi, variant "low" path for Mt Generoso, alt. 1450 l. over 200, 70 mt visitable, entrance fee (Booking here: https://ticinoturismo.trekksoft.com/en/widget/tours/267846). The path starts from the car park in Orimento and it reaches the cave in about an hour. After a few minutes you come to a small wooden bridge: go up to the left through the woods to the Alpe Pesciò di Mezzo (1368 m) with the remains of a rural drystone settlement: nine families with 400 cattle once lived there.
Caution: the site is abandoned and rather unsafe. The trail then climbs steeply up to the "Sella d'Orimento", with a magnificent view of the Ceresio. Carry on along a wide flat path and in a few minutes you'll arrive at the entrance to the "dell'orso cave", a hole carved out by water over millions of years, which contains a fossil deposit. The Pleistocene paleontological site (over 50,000 years ago) has been the subject of research by scholars at the University of Milan. The excavations, carried out over the course of 20 years, have brought to light over 40,000 fossils of the Ursus Spelaeus, the cave bear (extinct for 15,000 years), but that wasn't all; the remains have allowed us to identify the animals which lived in this area: lots of small mammals (mice, voles and shrew), the Irish elk or megaloceros (with antlers of 3.5 metres), the moose, the ibex, the wolf, the brown bear. Some worked flints attest to the presence of Neanderthal Man.
For more information: https://ticinoturismo.trekksoft.com/en/widget/tours/267846
GROTTE DI RESCIA - 22010 Claino con Osteno (Co), Via Porlezza 63 (in front of the campsite) - l. 87, entry fee. From a natural opening you will have access to the 7 Caves of Rescia and you will admire the power of the water which, over the centuries, has dug burrows and allowed the formation of imposing stalactites and stalagmites in tuff. There are great surprises waiting for you: the del lago cave, the dell'arte cave and the waterfall of Santa Giulia, approx. 70 metres high. An unmissable and highly recommended opportunity: Christmas in the cave.
- Easy access: anti-slip walkway and railings.
- Wheelchair access only available in the first cave.
For more information: https://grottedirescia.it/en/home-english/ - e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.- tel. 0344 72520 - 335 5445696
BUCO DELL'ORSO - LoCo 2207 Laglio, loc Mts of Torriggia, Mt Colmegnome, alt. 615, l. 300, no elev. gain
Notes: closed with gate for catchment, keys in the Town Hall (Tel. 031 400 048)
