Mount Nuvolone (1,092 m / 3,582 ft)

San Giovanni of Bellagio to Mount Nuvolone Belvedere

The Mount Nuvolone Belvedere: Trailhead at San Giovanni Hamlet (Bellagio)

This spectacular loop excursion starts from the charming hamlet of San Giovanni in Bellagio and reaches the breathtaking viewpoint of Mount Nuvolone, traversing traditional mountain hamlets and a suggestive ridge section of the beautiful Lariano Triangle. While the hike is not technically difficult, it does require a good level of physical fitness due to some sustained climbs. The paths are excellently marked with clear signs and estimated hiking times; we highly recommend starting out with a reliable supply of water, packed food, and sturdy hiking shoes. The lakeside hamlet of San Giovanni can be reached by public boat and ferry services primarily during the summer season, while the ASF Line C130 bus service runs reliably all year round. Before setting off into the mountains, we highly recommend a brief visit to the historic Archpriest Church of San Giovanni, a magnificent Baroque gem sitting directly on the shores of Lake Como.

Climbing the Chestnut Forests from Cagnanica to Brogno

We begin our ascent by winding past the traditional houses of this ancient fishing village, heading in the direction of Cagnanica. Past the local heliport, the paved lane smoothly transitions into a dirt path, and upon reaching the historic Mulini del Perlo (Perlo Mills), we join Trail 1 heading toward Brogno. We enter a dense chestnut forest where the uneven ground and steady inclines quickly make themselves felt; after climbing a beautiful stone staircase, we arrive at the rustic barns of Begola and shortly reach the open pastures of Brogno. We walk along a beautiful alpine meadow where, near a gate on the right, we find the official trail signs for the Belvedere del Nuvolone along Path 39. After a brief and mostly flat stretch, we turn left to resume our climb by following the indicators painted on the rocks; we recommend maximum caution in the final section directly below the overlook, which stands as the steepest point of the entire excursion.

The Spectacular Nuvolone Overlook and the Trail 1A Descent

The sweeping view from the Nuvolone belvedere is absolutely magnificent, and just a short distance further along the trail, a second panoramic point opens up directly over the promontory of Bellagio. Upon reaching a stone ruin, we turn left, ignoring the directions for the mountain summit, to carefully descend along a rugged rocky spur. The trail leads us right past the unique cave shrine of the Madonna dei Fungiatt—the traditional protector of local mushroom hunters—to quickly reach the historic Roccolo clearing on the Nuvolone pass. From Roccolo, we follow the left path to reach the mountain carriage road toward Paum; once on the main lane, we turn left and descend until intersecting Trail 1A for Bellagio. Skirting above the hamlet of Rovenza along one of the oldest historic paths of the Lariano Triangle, we eventually leave the woods through the beautiful clearing of Gravedona, where a small mountain temple marks the path that leads us comfortably back to Brogno to complete our loop.