By Vicky · Published Jun. 13th, 2024
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This hike takes you past Rifugio Venini on a relatively easy walk to Monte Crocione, a panoramic viewpoint over Lake Como and beyond.
Monte Crocione Hiking Map
Location
The Monte Crocione hike starts from a car park just past Rifugio Alpino Boffalora. To get there, it’s about 40 minutes from Argegno on the shores of Lake Como. It’s best to take the route past Pigra and Rifugio Alpe di Colonno (sometimes Google suggests a road further north). The road to the car park is quite narrow and windy (but never very steep) so not advised if you don’t like driving on these roads.
Tips
- It’s optional to go up the extra hills, you can just walk along the track all the way there and back to reduce the climb.
- Rifugio Venini is a great mountain hut serving local food such as polenta. You pass it roughly 4 and 10 km along the hike.
- While hiking we stayed at Starsirius Apartments*, an apartment near to the hike in San Fedele Intelvi.
- After the hike, why not go on a boat tour of Lake Como*?
- For more walks and hikes, check out our Italy Hiking Page.
Monte Crocione Hiking Route
From the car park, walk up the road signposted to Rifugio Venini. At the first corner, take the smaller path heading steeply upwards to cut off a large bend in the road. When you rejoin the road, head right a few metres before taking an unclear path on your left. The route heads up through the open, though the path is indistinct. Just continue walking upwards until you reach a ridge. Here the path is clearer, and heads left to the top of Monte di Lenno.
There are great views from the top over to Lake Lugano and you can also see most of the rest of the hiking route to Monte Crocione. From the top, continue onwards towards some farm buildings in a saddle. Once you reach here, walk along the track to the left. Alternatively, if you have the energy, head along the path up the next hill, Monte Galbigo (there are similar views from here and Monte di Lenno).
In about 1.5 km, after admiring the views down to Lake Como on your right, you’ll reach Rifugio Venini. This hut serves great food, including local specialities such as polenta and cabbage pasta. There’s a nice outdoor seating area with lake views that’s sheltered from the wind. If you’re already hungry and thirsty stop now, but you’ll return here in about 6 km on the way back.
Continue hiking onwards from Rifugio Venini, following the track. After about 1km you’ll come to some old stoneworks and fortifications from the Second World War, the northern defence line of Italy. At the grassy junction, head along the track leading slightly upwards to walk around Monte di Tremezzo (and climb it on the way back).
Hiking to the top of Monte Crocione
At the end of the track is an old, ruined farm and a bench with great views of Lake Como. After here the route becomes a narrower path and contours around the hillside. You’ll see another very scenically located ruined settlement in the saddle between Monte di Tremezzo on the left and Monte Crocione on the right.
Once you reach here, it’s just a short distance uphill to the top of Monte Crocione. There’s a metal cross at the top plus spectacular views over Lake Como and surroundings, including the high Alps to the north. Have a break here to enjoy the view.
When you’re ready, return down to the settlement. This time, walk straight onwards and up Monte di Tremezzo (slightly higher than Monte Crocione). Continue over the top and down to the right. Walk around the first stone defence area to get back to the main track.
From here, simply walk all the way back down the track. You’ll pass Rifugio Venini again, and continue down to the car park where you started and the end of the Monte Crocione Hike.
For more mountain hikes, check out our Italy Hiking Page.
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