Monte Gambarogno

Gambarogno is the mountain above the Ticino shore of Lake Maggiore, the one you look at from Cannobio and Luino without knowing its name. From the summit at 1,734 m you see the whole lake, from the Brissago islands to the fortress of Angera, with the Alps behind.

The experience

We start at Alpe di Neggia, 1,395 m, which the road reaches by car: the climb is therefore short, a little over 500 m of ascent on a wide path through birch and pasture.

From the summit we follow the ridge to Monte Paglione and come down the pasture loop, the lake in front of us all the way.

The Alpe di Neggia road can close for snow in winter: the coordinator checks the Thursday before. It is always windy at the top, even in summer: pack a shell. The Vairano botanical park below can be visited on the way back if you like (entry not included).

A valid ID in your pocket, not in your rucksack: Switzerland is not in the European Union and border checks do happen.

Mountain rescue is charged for: in Switzerland the helicopter is billed to the person who calls it. Guiddy accident insurance is included, but a Rega card (about €40 a year) or a policy covering rescue costs in Switzerland is what we suggest to everyone.

Swiss francs: huts and cable cars almost always take cards, but a few valley huts are still cash only. The European health card is valid in Switzerland for emergency care.

If your dog comes along: Switzerland requires a microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination, given at least 21 days beforehand. Without them the dog is turned back at the border.

A9 to Lugano, then Bellinzona and the Gambarogno shore to Vira, where the Alpe di Neggia road climbs: one hour forty from the ring road.

By car you need the Swiss motorway vignette (CHF 40, valid for the calendar year) if you use the motorway: you buy it at the border, at petrol stations near the crossing, or online.

How hard is it, really

What's included in the price

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Day

9 km · D+ 560 m · 4 h

Meeting point 9:30approximate

Meeting at Alpe di Neggia, Sciovia Alpe di Neggia, Canton Ticino, Svizzera. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.

HOW TO GET THERE

Google MapsWazeApple Maps

A

09:30MEETING

Meeting at Alpe di Neggia

We meet the Guidders at the pass, where the road from Vira ends.

B

11:00SUMMIT

The summit of Gambarogno

The whole of Lake Maggiore in one look, from the Brissago islands to Angera.

C

12:15SUMMIT

Monte Paglione

Huts and pasture on the ridge: packed lunch with the lake below.

D

14:45MOUNTAIN HUT

Back to Alpe di Neggia

We finish at the pass and, for anyone keen, drop to Vairano for the botanical park.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Questions?