Como - Mt. Generoso is an elegant and direct line that connects the city to the highest summit in the area. The route is various as it passes trough pavemented roads, contryside roads and mountain path. The route has two big uphills, connected trough the run on a gentle path on the west (dorsale) of Como Lake. Following part of the Alta Via dei Monti Lariani.
The route starts in Como in front of the Tempio Voltiano, right on the lake side. Runners should touch the stones, soaked in mysticism, and go.
The first 4 km are fast, on the tarmac, and follow the scenic lakeside until Cernobbio city center.
In Cernobbio the track takes a sharp left turn, cross a car park and the trail starts.
At the moment the road is closed for some renovation work but runners can easily pass on the left.
The climb up to the Monte Bisbino is steep and follow an ancient stone trails in the wood.
The trail reach the top of Monte Bisbino, where you should take a picture in the panoramic spot to document your run. Then go back on your footsteps and take the jeep road along the ridge. This fast road will bring the runners to Rifugio Bugone and then Rifugio Murelli where is it possible to refill and eat something.
The track than heads around the beatiful, and recognisable from far, Sasso Gordona and then down to the tiny village of Erbonne, where is it possible to refill and refresh yourself at the public fountain. Please note that this is the only possibility to refill in a non-supported FKT try.
From here, the trail cross the border between Italy and Switzerland and the second big ascents starts.
The trail is steep and follow the border between the two states, zig zaging in the grass until it reaches a firts small top, offering one of the most stunning view in the mountains, stretched in the middle of Como Lake and Lugano Lake. From here the big metal construction on the top of the Generoso is visible and is a matter of minutes to reach it.
The route stops on top of the Monte Generoso. Runners should touch the metal and stops the clock.
LOGISTIC: To get back to your car/home you can run down the gentle jeep road to Mendrisio and take the train to Como that in 15' brings you back to the start. If your legs are gone, you can take the train from the station on the top of Monte Generoso to Mendrisio.
Otherwise, you can descend the Italian path to San Fedele Intelvi and catch the bus to Como, changing bus in Argegno.
If you have good legs you can just turn back and run back to the starting point. Good for you mountain goat!
WARNING: Please be careful. This trail cross the border and arrives in a non-Schengen nation so you MUST bring a valid ID with you to avoid any problem
