A Hike Between Italy and Switzerland: from Orimento to Monte Generoso
One of the most beautiful hikes in the upper Intelvi Valley: a panoramic trail through meadows, forests and mountain ridges to the summit of Monte Generoso, with views stretching from Lake Como to Lake Lugano and across the Alps.
Just a short distance from Lake Como, the upper Intelvi Valley offers a completely different landscape from the shores of the lake. One of the walks that is definitely worth a day is the trail from Baita di Orimento to the summit of Monte Generoso, at 1,701 metres.
We walked this route ourselves and can say that it is truly beautiful!
For anyone used to walking in the mountains, it is not particularly demanding and offers wonderful views along much of the way. It can also be enjoyed as a circular hike, going up via the Sentiero Alto (Upper Trail) and returning along the Sentiero Basso (Lower Trail).
From Orimento along the Upper Trail
The walk starts at Baita di Orimento, at 1,275 metres. After the first section, you reach a fork in the trail: take the path on the right to follow the Upper Trail.
The route climbs gradually through woodland, open meadows and wide grassy ridges along the border between Italy and Switzerland.
This is probably the most spectacular part of the hike. As you climb higher, the landscape opens up, offering beautiful views over Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains. Only in the final section before reaching the summit are there a few short parts of the trail that are narrower and more exposed.
The summit of Monte Generoso
Once you reach the summit at 1,701 metres, the view makes the climb well worth the effort.
On a clear day, there is a wonderful 360-degree panorama across the Alps, stretching as far as Monte Rosa and the Gotthard peaks, and south towards the Po Valley.
Just below the summit is the famous Fiore di Pietra (Stone Flower), designed by architect Mario Botta. The building houses a panoramic restaurant and the upper station of the cogwheel railway that climbs Monte Generoso from the Swiss side.
Returning along the Lower Trail
For the walk back to Orimento, rather than following the same route, we recommend taking the Sentiero Basso (Lower Trail), also known as the Bear Trail.
This is a gentler and more sheltered route, passing through beech woods and mountain pastures before eventually joining the original trail again.
Along the way, you may also come across the Bisbino horses, which live freely in the mountains between the Intelvi Valley and the Swiss border.
Some practical information
The complete circular route is approximately 10 km long, with a total elevation gain of around 430–450 metres.
Good walking or hiking shoes are recommended and, of course, it is always better to choose a day with suitable weather conditions.
The road from San Fedele Intelvi up to Orimento is paved, although it is quite narrow and winding in some sections.
Another side of Lake Como
One of the things we love about this walk is the contrast with the landscape around the lake.
In a relatively short distance, you leave behind the villas, villages and shores of Lake Como and find yourself surrounded by open mountain pastures, forests and beautiful alpine scenery.
It is a side of the area that visitors spending only a few days on Lake Como often do not have the opportunity to discover.
If you enjoy walking, the hike from Orimento to Monte Generoso is definitely one we recommend for discovering this lesser-known side of Lake Como.
