Monte Giove: Circular Hike above Cannobio
From Sant'Agata via Alpe Marcalone at 1,298 meters, with panoramic views over the northern Lake Maggiore
Monte Giove – The Summit above Sant'Agata
Location and Elevation
The Monte Giove is one of the most beautiful panoramic mountains directly above Cannobio. At 1,298 meters, it lies between the lake and the Valle Cannobina, and from the summit, you can see in all directions: the northern Lake Maggiore with Brissago and its islands, Locarno, the Magadino Plain up to Bellinzona, Cannobio, and into the Cannobina Valley. The best part: the starting point is practically on our doorstep.
Monte Giove at a Glance
- Location: above Cannobio, between Lake Maggiore and Valle Cannobina
- Altitude: 1,298 m
- Start: Parking lot before Sant’Agata (approx. 470 m), a few minutes by car from Lakeview
- Circular route: approx. 9 km, about 850 m elevation gain, pure walking time approx. 4½ hours
- Highlights: Oratorio San Luca, Alpe Marcalone, summit cross with 360-degree views
- Suitable for: experienced hikers, families with older children
- Refreshments: Agriturismo Da Attilio at Alpe Marcalone, bar and trattoria in Sant’Agata
Sant’Agata: Start with Lake Views
The road to Sant’Agata branches off the lakeside road to the left, just a few meters from Lakeview, towards the Swiss border. It winds its way up through Campeglio in switchbacks for about three kilometers, and you’ll be there in just a few minutes by car. A large parking lot is located on the left just before the village. Without a car, you can reach Sant’Agata by bus line 17, which only runs in the mornings, or on foot via the old mule track from Darbedo through Campeglio.
Sant’Agata is located at about 470 meters on the eastern slope of Monte Giove and was its own municipality until 1928. The parish church was built in its current form between 1771 and 1784, but its history goes back much further: Karl Borromäus already elevated it to a parish church in 1566. In front of the church is a terrace with views over Cannobio and a large part of the lake. Here you’ll find a fountain, toilets, and a bar, and you can stop at the Trattoria della Volpe after your tour. Fill your bottles in Sant’Agata; there is no reliable water source along the way.
The Ascent via San Luca and Marcalone
The path starts at the parking lot on a private road closed to cars. Soon it becomes a trail and climbs steeply through chestnut and oak forests to the small Oratorio San Luca at 687 meters. Afterwards, you’ll pass terraces with the ruins of an abandoned hamlet. At the following fork, keep right; the left path to Biessen will be your return route later.
At 860 meters, the forest opens up at Alpe Marcalone. Meadows, a few houses, and a sweeping view over the lake make this spot ideal for a first break. The Agriturismo Da Attilio offers goat cheese and vegetables from their own farm. If you’d like to shorten the tour, you can drive up to Marcalone via a different, narrow road.
To the Summit and Back via Biessen
Behind Marcalone, the path leads into the spruce forest. Here, pay attention to the third path that branches off to the right from the asphalt road. This steep path is a shortcut, and many people get lost at this exact spot. The route continues on a track up to about 1,220 meters. At a hairpin bend with an iron post, turn left and climb through a sparse birch forest to the summit.
At the top, you’ll find a summit cross, a summit book, and an artistically designed bench dedicated to the various names of the father of the gods, Jupiter, or Giove in Italian. Take your time here; the panoramic view is one of the most beautiful in the upper Lake Maggiore region. In the background, you can spot Monte Faierone, the higher neighbor at 1,775 meters.
The descent leads down the other side via the hamlet of Rombiago at 1,167 meters. Shortly before the houses, turn left into the forest towards a ruin. The turn-off is hard to see, and some of the markings are faded. Afterwards, you cross to the upper huts of Biessen. A section above the Valle Cannobina with a small shrine is somewhat exposed but not dangerous. The route then goes back to Sant’Agata via San Luca.
The entire circular route is about 9 kilometers long, has an elevation gain of approximately 850 meters, and takes about four and a half hours of pure walking time. It is marked red and white and with signs to Monte Giove, Biessen, and Sant’Agata. Nevertheless, we recommend the Kompass map No. 90 Lago Maggiore or a GPS track on your phone.
Who the Tour is Suitable For
Monte Giove is a proper mountain hike. You need surefootedness, good shoes, and some stamina. Families with older children who are used to longer hikes can manage the loop well, but it is too long for small children. Sporty hikers can start directly in Cannobio at the sign in Darbedo and walk via the mule track to Campeglio and Sant’Agata. This adds up to a good 1,100 meters of elevation gain.
The mountain is most beautiful in spring and autumn when the air is clear and the long-distance views are expansive. In summer, it’s best to start early in the morning before it gets warm on the slope. In winter, it is only passable without snow or with snowshoes.
What You Can Combine with Monte Giove
Below Sant’Agata lies the Orrido di Sant’Anna, a gorge up to 25 meters deep carved into the rock by the Cannobino river. On its edge stands the Church of Sant’Anna from 1638, next to which an old, narrow stone bridge crosses the water. If you’d like a shorter tour on another day, take the loop from Traffiume via Campeglio to Sant’Agata: about 7.5 kilometers and two hours, including the Ponte Ballerino suspension bridge from 1933.
A little story on the side: Around the turn of the century, the Fonte Carlina near Cannobio was a well-known spa resort, and according to tradition, Friedrich Nietzsche is said to have visited here as well. Today, the spring is a small green park.
A Look Inside the Church of Sant’Agata
Before you set off or after your tour, it’s worth taking a look inside the parish church. Until about 1400, the village was actually called Crimiala. Inside, you’ll find a baptismal font from 1612 and an organ from 1852; the frescoes date from 1946 to 1950 by the painter Mario Albertella. Next to the modern bell tower, the remains of a small Romanesque tower are still hidden among newer buildings.
For the Experienced: Monte Giove and Faierone
Experienced mountain hikers combine Monte Giove with the higher Monte Faierone. A track connects the saddle between the two mountains. As a loop from Sant’Agata, this adds up to about 1,400 meters of elevation gain, making it a long day tour requiring an early start and good fitness.
In Winter with Snowshoes
When there’s snow, Monte Giove becomes a destination for snowshoe hikers. The Italian Alpine Club CAI has already offered guided snowshoe tours here. In winter, only go when conditions are safe and you are well-equipped; the days are short, and you shouldn’t rely on finding refreshments along the way.
Monte Giove is a tour for which you don’t have to travel far. Start in the morning, and by afternoon, you’ll be back and can cool off in the lake. 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 a longer break at Alpe Marcalone. The view over the lake here is almost as beautiful as from the top.
- For long-distance views, we recommend clear days in spring or autumn.
- In summer, we recommend starting early in the morning before it gets warm on the slope.
- If the loop is too long for you, we recommend driving up to Alpe Marcalone.