Monte Carza: Local mountain above Cannobio with Big Bench
Mountain hike directly from Cannobio or short walk from Trarego Viggiona
Monte Carza – the mountain behind the town
Location and Elevation
When you stand by the lake in Cannobio and look south, you see the slopes rising steeply above the shore. One of these peaks is Monte Carza at 1,116 metres. Because it forms such a natural part of the backdrop, many visitors overlook it as a destination. Yet it offers everything for a lovely day: quiet mountain villages, forest, a giant yellow bench with lake views and, if you like, a proper mountain hike directly from Cannobio.
Monte Carza at a glance
- Location: above the western shore between Cannobio and Cannero Riviera
- Elevation: 1,116 m
- Getting there from Lakeview: on foot from Cannobio or by car via Cannero Riviera to Trarego Viggiona (car park at Grotto Monte Carza)
- Hike from Cannobio: around 900–1,000 metres of elevation, ascent 2½ to 3 hours
- Big Bench: Panchina Gigante No. 138, yellow, 15 to 20 minutes from the car park
- Suitable for: hikers, families (short route), photographers
- Admission: none
On foot from Cannobio
The hike from Cannobio is a proper mountain tour with around 900 to 1,000 metres of elevation. It begins at the southern edge of town and initially follows the old Via delle Genti via Solivo to Molineggi. From there it climbs steeply to Viggiona, continuing via Cheglio and Colle to Bocchetta di Carza and in a few minutes to the summit. Allow two and a half to three hours for the ascent. As a circular route via Viggiona and back to Carmine Inferiore, it totals around twelve kilometres and about four hours of pure walking time.
Along the way the lake disappears repeatedly behind the trees until the slope opens up and Cannobio lies small beneath you. Don’t underestimate the descent—it’s hard on knees and thighs. Sturdy hiking boots, plenty of water and some provisions belong in your rucksack. If you don’t want to walk back after the hike, take the bus or boat from Cannero Riviera back to Cannobio.
The short route: to the Big Bench
If you prefer something easier, drive by car via Cannero Riviera up to Trarego Viggiona, around six kilometres with many hairpin bends. There, follow the signs towards Colle and Monte Carza to the Grotto Monte Carza at around 950 metres, where you can park. Path number 13 leads with only around 150 metres of elevation via a fore-summit to the summit.
At the top stands the Big Bench, Panchina Gigante No. 138. The bright yellow bench was inaugurated in June 2021 and is the first of its kind on Lake Maggiore. The path there is almost entirely a wide gravel track, easily manageable in 15 to 20 minutes, even with children and dogs. If you collect giant benches: each Big Bench has its own stamp for the Big Bench Pass.
Summit, chapel and the Linea Cadorna
On the summit stands an iron cross on a small clearing. The view extends across the central and southern Lake Maggiore to Luino and into Val Travaglia on the Lombardy side. Just below the summit lies a small chapel with a Madonna mosaic.
About 100 metres lower, on the side away from the ascent, you’ll find bunkers, trenches and a tunnel of the Linea Cadorna in the forest. Italy built this defensive line along the Swiss border during the First World War, fearing enemy troops might advance through Switzerland. No fighting ever took place here. Further trenches lie on the old mule track below Viggiona. A torch helps if you’d like to look inside the tunnel.
Trarego Viggiona: mountain villages with distinction
The municipality of Trarego Viggiona consists of the districts Trarego, Viggiona and Cheglio. Since 2024 it has held the Bandiera Arancione of the Touring Club Italiano, a quality seal for particularly well-kept small towns in the hinterland. In Trarego stand the parish church San Martino, old mills and a former communal dairy. In Viggiona the Romanesque Chiesa Vecchia, a national monument, is worth seeing. A Way of the Cross connects it with the baroque parish church San Maurizio. The stations were created in the 1960s by students from Stuttgart Academy of Art. In Cheglio stands the Oratory of San Rocco. If you like, try the grappa distilled in Viggiona or the cheese from the small dairies.
For families, the Wonderwood high ropes course is right by the car park (more on that below). If you want to eat after your excursion, stop at Grotto Monte Carza, which serves typical mountain cuisine.
With children and at the right time of year
For younger children the ascent from Cannobio is too long and too steep. With them the short route to the Big Bench is ideal, combined with a few hours in the high ropes course. Older, hiking-experienced children can also manage the long tour. In summer it’s best to start early, when the forest still provides shade. Monte Carza is particularly beautiful in autumn and spring when the air is clear. On hazy days visibility can be severely limited—checking the webcams by the lake before setting off is worthwhile.
Circular route via Alpe Pra Redond
Between the short route and the big tour from Cannobio lies a circular route from Trarego. It leads via Monte Carza and Alpe Pra Redond at 940 metres and back, and is around 4 kilometres long. Pure walking time is about 1 hour 45 minutes. The descent is very steep and only suitable for experienced hikers with good footwear. With children it’s better to stay on the wide path to the Big Bench.
Wonderwood and more for families
The high ropes course at around 1,000 metres has eight courses suitable for children from three years old. There’s also a 75-metre zipline, a suspension bridge and in high summer a water area for cooling off. The season begins at the end of March at weekends and during Easter holidays; in summer it’s open daily. It’s best to buy tickets online in advance. Picnics are not allowed in the park, but there’s a small bistro.
In Trarego there’s also a small tactile museum, the Museo tattile, and an early hydroelectric plant from the beginning of the 20th century, which recalls the time when the mountain villages generated their own electricity. At the end of July Viggiona celebrates its village festival Viggiona by Night.
Combination with Carmine Superiore
The long tour from Cannobio follows the same Via delle Genti in the first part as the hike to Carmine Superiore. The medieval village, accessible only on foot, is well suited for a second, shorter hiking day. From there the path continues to Cannero Riviera, where you can take the boat back to Cannobio.
Monte Carza fits perfectly into a holiday where swimming days and hiking days alternate. One day you’re lying by the lake, the next you pull on your hiking boots and within minutes you’re in a completely different landscape. You can stay with us in a mobile home on Lake Maggiore, in a holiday apartment with lake view or on a pitch for motorhome, caravan or tent.
Insider tips from locals
To make your trip extra special:
- We recommend not underestimating the tour from Cannobio: with 900 to 1,000 metres of elevation, it is a proper mountain hike.
- Start early in the morning in summer.
- If the whole tour is too long for you, we recommend Trarego Viggiona as a starting point.
- At the Big Bench we recommend a longer break. Take a picnic with you.
- With small children we recommend the short path from the car park to the Big Bench.