Marzio and Monte Piambello
A walk in the heart of Valganna-Valmarchirolo gives tourists the chance to discover superb landscape features, along with many historical remains from the famous Cadorna Line.
An excursion from Marzio to Mount Piambello offers opportunities to discover some superb landscape views, along with many historical remains from the famous Cadorna Line. From the information point below Piazza Berini, take Via Menefoglio in the historic centre of Marzio, and then Via Bolchini (where you can admire a fine view ranging from Monte Piambello right across to Monte Generoso) to where it ends, at the Marzio observation point, with its trenches, walkways and machine-gun posts defending the hill running up from Lavena and Ardena towards the north east, and the slopes of the river Trallo valley towards the south.
After having crossed a watershed, you reach a track that leads to Marchirolo. After crossing a stone bridge, known locally as "Ponte del Diavolo" (devil's bridge), you reach Cascina Bozzolo, a location on a promontory that was reinforced by trenches and fortifications.
The route continues towards Alpe dei Fiori, which offers a magnificent view right across to Monte Rosa and the Swiss Alps, and likewise to the mountains of the Valgrande park in Piedmont. You can go yet further on an easy path towards Monte Piambello, reaching Sass di Böll (980 metres) with its fine view northwards over Canton Ticino and the town of Marzio, and then to the summit of Monte Piambello. During the First World War, a gun battery was sited here, a "barbetta" (literally "small beard") battery, so-called because every shot caused a shock wave in the air that seemed to shave the grass.
Another point of interest is the "cannoniera belvedere", the "artillery observation point", whose name is derived from the fact that from here, there is an exceptional 360° view over the surrounding valleys.
Taking the military road to descend, you see more positions for howitzers, and ammunition stores: there is also an artillery post in a tunnel with tracks, facing Valceresio.
An excursion from Marzio to Mount Piambello offers opportunities to discover some superb landscape views, along with many historical remains from the famous Cadorna Line. From the information point below Piazza Berini, take Via Menefoglio in the historic centre of Marzio, and then Via Bolchini (where you can admire a fine view ranging from Monte Piambello right across to Monte Generoso) to where it ends, at the Marzio observation point, with its trenches, walkways and machine-gun posts defending the hill running up from Lavena and Ardena towards the north east, and the slopes of the river Trallo valley towards the south.
After having crossed a watershed, you reach a track that leads to Marchirolo. After crossing a stone bridge, known locally as "Ponte del Diavolo" (devil's bridge), you reach Cascina Bozzolo, a location on a promontory that was reinforced by trenches and fortifications.
The route continues towards Alpe dei Fiori, which offers a magnificent view right across to Monte Rosa and the Swiss Alps, and likewise to the mountains of the Valgrande park in Piedmont. You can go yet further on an easy path towards Monte Piambello, reaching Sass di Böll (980 metres) with its fine view northwards over Canton Ticino and the town of Marzio, and then to the summit of Monte Piambello. During the First World War, a gun battery was sited here, a "barbetta" (literally "small beard") battery, so-called because every shot caused a shock wave in the air that seemed to shave the grass.
Another point of interest is the "cannoniera belvedere", the "artillery observation point", whose name is derived from the fact that from here, there is an exceptional 360° view over the surrounding valleys.
Taking the military road to descend, you see more positions for howitzers, and ammunition stores: there is also an artillery post in a tunnel with tracks, facing Valceresio.
