Monte Generoso "Nature"
The Monte Generoso is, like it says its name, a very generous mountain (generoso = generous). Generous with its nature and what it offers to us. An excursion to the Monte Generoso starts with the ride on the cogwheel railway, from where it’s possible to admire a breathtaking alpine panorama and the big nature park, which is situated at the Italian – Switzerland border in between the lakes of Lugano and Como. From the top an enchanting panorama can be enjoyed that takes in all of the lakes in the region (Lugano, Como, Varese and Maggiore), also the city of Lugano, the Po Valley region with Milan and from the Apennines right over to the Alpine chain, from Gran Paradiso to Monte Rosa, from the Matterhorn to the Jungfrau and the Gotthard massif to the Bernina group of mountains.
The day continues with the visit of the Bear Cave, where an important repository of remains of over 300 cave bears (ursus spelaeus) were found and where it’s possible to observe excavations.
The excursion ends with a pleasant descent on foot amongst meadows and a wonderful beech grove.
Objective
- Learn the utilisation, respect and protection of the common property
- Scientific analyse of the geomorphologic and geologic aspects of a region with a high natural value
- Perceive the ambience as a public good
- Learn to observe
Content
Relation human – mountain ambience, chalk rocks and karst topography, analyse of the landscape, the vegetation, animals and its tracks.
Excursion program
Appointment with the guide at the station of Capolago and departure direction Monte Generoso (1 hour).
After a snack, (presentation of the mountain ambiance in the restaurant) simple walk to the top (breathtaking panorama of the Alps and the Po Valley region) or to the Bear Cave (visitable from June to September / receipt of helmets on site / payment on site in CHF or EUR / rich on fossils and bones). Return to the restaurant Vetta Monte Generoso, lunch from the rucksack or in the restaurant. In the afternoon descent to Bellavista and from there return voyage to Capolago.
Daily schedule
(the program can be changed on request)
09.00 Arrival at Capolago and acquisition of the train tickets
09.20 Departure with the cogwheel railway direction Vetta Monte Generoso 1704 m
09.55 Arrival at Vetta Monte Generoso (summit)
10.00 Snack (at the expense of the participants)
10.30 Beginning of the didactic activity with the visit of the Bear Cave (June – September)
12.30 Lunch (at the expense of the participants)
14.00 Descent on foot to Bellavisa
15.57 Departure from Bellavista with the cogwheel railway
16.27 Arrival at Capolago
PS: On request it’s possible to add to the program the visit of the sun observatory and to observe with a potent telescope the summit of the Monte Rosa with the Margherita hut, the summit of the Grigne, the Milan Cathedral, the peak of the Matterhorn, the Monte Lema, the Monte Bisbino, ecc.
What to bring: comfortable cloths, the rucksack doesn’t have to be too heavy and should contain: wind or rain jacket, snack for the morning and the lunch. Robust waterproof shoes (without slippery soles / no boots). Welcome are compasses, binoculars, cameras and writing material.
Prices
Train journey
Guide Monte Generoso “Nature“ CHF 190.00 (per group of max. 20 people)
Visit of the Bear Cave
Visit of the sun observatory with expert CHF 190.00
Euro are accepted, the daily exchange rate will be applied