Corni di Canzo

The Corni di Canzo, in the Triangolo Lariano offer one of the most recognisable mountain profiles in the area. The three rocky peaks stand between the eastern branch of Lake Come, Val Ravella and the Valmadrera side, with a clear silhouette that is easy to identify, even from a certain distance.

Their charm lies in their shape: three limestone ‘horns’ standing above woods, meadows, and grassy slopes, where rock walls alternate with gentler sections. The ‘Corni’ are part of a mountain chain that, because it is isolated from the surrounding peaks, is also referred to as the ‘Isola senza Nome’ [island with no name] The scenery is typical of the pre-Alps, with a mosaic of woods, limestone rock walls, meadows, and plains that create an area that is extremely varied from a natural and scenic perspective.
There are various routes up to the Corni. On the Lake Como side, one of the most popular routes begins in Gajum in the municipality of Canzo, and it follows the Val Ravella Geological Path as far as Terz’Alpe. On the Lecco side, the route climbs up from Valmadrera towards Alpe di Pianezzo and the Rifugio SEV, a scenic point at the foot of the Corni.
The scenery changes often along the way: through woods, open sections, rocky outcrops, and scenic viewpoints that overlook Lake Como, the Grigna Massif, Lecco and Brianza. The Rifugio SEV, at 1,276 metres, is one of the best-known bases in the area, offering wide views out over the surrounding scenery.
As well as the hiking aspect, the Corni di Canzo are also of interest for their geological history: the rocks in the area preserve traces of an area once covered by sea and then shaped over thousands of years by uplifts, erosion and glacial phenomena. The 'Giorgio Achermann’ Geological Trail, in the Corni di Canzo Regional Forest is an opportunity to observe rocks, glacial erratics, glacier potholes and petrified springs: areas in which the lime-rich waters deposit minerals on rocks, moss, and plants, creating deposits that seem to ‘petrify’ whatever they meet. Along the route, information panels point out and help to understand these phenomena.
In summer, the Corni di Canzo are a recommended stop for those seeking an excursion with high-impact scenery, trails of different difficulty levels, and ever-changing views. The three rocky peaks represent one of those natural treasures whose particular shape never fails to surprise, making the profile of the Triangolo Lariano immediately recognisable.