Monte Generoso - Cugnolett - valle di Muggio

An all-mountain route along some little-known trails on Mount Generoso. The route starts from Castel S. Pietro (Obino hamlet): paid parking (1 CHF/hour, 5 CHF/day) along the ascent on Via Obino. Immediately take the mule trail leading to the Alpe di Caviano mountain hut: the climb is technically easy (paved surface) but strenuous (a steady gradient of about 15%).

Panoramic view from Alpe di Caviano stretching from the Ligurian Apennines to the Aletschhorn

Shortly after the refuge, the slope levels off; you’ll cross the hilly area along a road that’s first unpaved and then paved. Near the village of Bellavista, the trail climbs again on a rocky path, though only for a fairly short stretch. After crossing the rack-and-pinion railway tracks, a long, very scenic traverse begins, leading to the summit station (with its restaurant). At an elevation of 1,450 meters, the trail becomes very steep (with gradients close to 20%), and the presence of retaining steps doesn’t make cycling any easier. Not everyone can make it all the way to the top on their bike (I end up pushing on this section)! I should note that the traverse is designated as a hiking trail (though I didn’t see the sign marking it today); however, cyclists are tolerated when riding uphill on it. In any case, always yield to hikers and absolutely avoid riding downhill on it!

Once you reach the summit station (about 1,600 meters), if the weather is nice, I recommend leaving your bike and walking another 100 meters of elevation gain to reach the actual summit of Monte Generoso (1,701 meters): from here, you can enjoy a magnificent 360° panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and lakes. This detour is not marked on the route.

Final stretch of the climb to the summit of Monte Generoso

Now the descent begins: start by traversing across the pastures; after a few hundred meters, turn right and point your front wheel toward the steepest slope. Caution: this junction is hard to spot; ride a few dozen meters through the grass, then the trail reappears (use your GPS for guidance). This trail is steep but not particularly technically difficult (diff. S2). Continue downhill until you cross a trail running along the hillside, just before Alpe Génor.

Ride downhill through the pastures toward the Muggio Valley.

Cugnolett Traverse

Here, turn right and continue along this narrow “eat and drink” traverse (Cugnolett), which overlooks steep meadows and includes a few short sections among the rocks (diff. S2). Once you’ve finished the long traverse, you’ll find yourself back on the bumpy road you previously climbed, which you’ll now follow in the opposite direction. Just before reaching Alpe Caviano, look for a narrow trail on the left that leads to the small village of Monte. This trail is varied: it features a steep first switchback with roots, then begins a long traverse alternating between flowing sections and rocky or root-covered sections; toward the end, there’s a fun rock garden with large slabs (difficulty: medium S1 with some S2 sections). Once in Monte, cross through the village and, as you exit, turn left onto a fast and fun trail leading to Campora (difficulty: S1); from there, a short return on paved road to Obino.

Route ridden on July 27, 2025; modified on October 14, 2026, to include a new descent to Monte (the previous one was converted into a pedestrian trail with crossbeams and ladders, which isn’t much fun).