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Monte Generoso

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Monte Generoso
Calvagione
Monte Generoso, as seen from Cantello in Italy
Highest point
Elevation1,701 m (5,581 ft)
Prominence1,321 m (4,334 ft)[1]
Geography
Monte Generoso is located in Alps
Monte Generoso
Monte Generoso
Location in the Alps
LocationTicino, Switzerland
Lombardy, Italy
RegionCH-TI
Parent rangeLugano Prealps
Climbing
Easiest routeHike or Monte Generoso Railway
View to the north of the Monte Generoso showing Lake Lugano and Melide

Monte Generoso (also known as Calvagione) is a mountain of the Lugano Prealps, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy and between Lake Lugano and Lake Como. The western and southern flanks of the mountain lie in the Swiss canton of Ticino, whilst the north-eastern flanks are in the Italian region of Lombardy.[2][3]

The view from the summit of the mountain encompasses the lakes of Lugano, Como, Varese and Maggiore. To the north are the Alps, stretching from the Matterhorn via the Jungfrau and the Saint-Gotthard Massif to the Bernina Range. To the south are the Lombardy Plains and the Po Valley, with the city of Milan and the Apennine Mountains visible on a clear day.[4]

The summit can be approached by the Monte Generoso Railway, a rack railway that starts from Capolago in Switzerland, and climbs via the western flank of the mountain. The summit station includes a restaurant and panoramic terrace. A paved path links the railway's summit station to the summit proper, a distance of approximately 350 metres (1,150 ft) and a difference in altitude of about 100 metres (330 ft).[2][4][5][6]

There is road access from Mendrisio in Switzerland to Bellavista, some 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the summit and an intermediate station on the railway. Hiking trails reach the summit from different starting points, including Bellavista, Capolago and Mendrisio.[2][4][7]

The Monte Generoso Observatory is located adjacent to the railway's summit station, and is operated by the Monte Generoso Insubrica Astronomy Group. Also nearby is a small chapel dating from the 20th century.[5][8]

The area is included in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments.[citation needed] The mountain slopes are home to a herd of between 300 to 350 chamois.[9]

References

  1. ^ Retrieved from the Swisstopo topographic maps. The key col is located near Cardano at 380 metres.
  2. ^ a b c Translated from the Italian Wikipedia article Monte Generoso
  3. ^ map.geo.admin.ch (Map). Swiss Confederation. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  4. ^ a b c "Monte Generoso". Monte Generoso Railway. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  5. ^ a b "From the restaurant to the summit". Monte Generoso Railway. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  6. ^ "Restaurants and Accommodation". Monte Generoso Railway. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  7. ^ "Itineraries to discover the mountain". Monte Generoso Railway. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  8. ^ "Astronomy". Monte Generoso Railway. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  9. ^ "The Chamois: Symbol of Monte Generoso". Monte Generoso Railway. Retrieved 2012-08-21.