Monte Grona: three lakes from Breglia above Menaggio

Three lakes from a single summit

From the top of Monte Grona, at 1,736 metres, you get one of the finest views in the Lepontine Alps. It spans every direction and takes in three lakes at once: Como, Lugano and Piano.

All around you can pick out some of the best-known peaks in the area — Monte Bregagno, Pizzo di Gino, the Legnone, the Grigne and the Corni di Canzo — and on clear days the view reaches the highest summits of the Alps. We start from Breglia, above Plesio, and climb past Rifugio Menaggio, where we stop before the final stretch.

It is 10 kilometres and 900 metres of ascent over six hours: a steady climb that grants few breaks, but the summit view repays every metre.

Why come

• Lake Como, Lake Lugano and Lake Piano from the same summit
• Rifugio Menaggio, the classic stop below the top
• Bregagno, Pizzo di Gino, the Legnone and the Grigne all around
• a panoramic summit doable in a day from Milan

Who it suits

This is an intermediate hike: 900 metres of ascent in six hours, with a continuous climb and some steep sections higher up, but no equipped passages. Bring boots with a good sole, water and a windproof jacket.

Come with the Guidders: book your place and let's climb the Grona.