The Corni di Canzo are the symbol of the Triangolo Lariano and one of the most popular hiking destinations in the area: three rocky peaks above Canzo, reached on a loop that starts and ends at the Fonti di Gajum, passing by Rifugio SEV Pianezzo. Not all three peaks call for the same effort: the Corno Orientale is within reach of hikers with a little experience, while climbing the Corno Occidentale and the Corno Centrale involves more exposed rock passages (EE difficulty) — a distinction worth knowing before setting out.
From Fonti di Gajum to Rifugio SEV Pianezzo
The starting point is Fonti di Gajum, above Canzo: a spring at 485 metres, a classic resting point for hikers since the 19th century, when its water gave rise to a small bottling business. From here, Path 1 climbs to Rifugio SEV Pianezzo via the 1st and 3rd Alpe, taking about two and a half hours with 740 metres of ascent; Path 5, via the Colletta dei Corni, is the more direct route and takes about two hours for the same ascent. Those who want to combine the hike with a nature stop can instead follow Path 2, which climbs the valley floor of Val Ravella along the “Giorgio Achermann” geological trail, past limestone outcrops and glacial erratic boulders, up to the Terza Alpe.
From the hut to the peaks
From Rifugio SEV Pianezzo, the Corno di Canzo Orientale is reached in about 20 minutes’ walk: it is the most accessible section, suited to hikers with a little experience, though difficulty rises to EE when there is snow. Climbing the Corno Occidentale and the Corno Centrale is more demanding, with exposed rock passages rated EE: a section to be tackled only with experience on rocky terrain and suitable equipment. On the summit of the Corno Occidentale (1,373 m, the highest of the three) stands a metal cross about 1.5 metres tall, erected in 1947 and restored in 2018 by the Canzo section of the CAI. From the peaks, the view stretches over Lake Como and the surrounding mountains, including the Resegone.
Practical information
- Starting point: Fonti di Gajum, a hamlet of Canzo.
- Duration and ascent: sources give different figures depending on the route and destination — about 2h30 and 740 m of ascent from Gajum to Rifugio SEV (Comune di Canzo); about 5 hours and 892 m of ascent for the full loop up to the Corno Centrale summit (another source).
- Difficulty: E as far as Rifugio SEV Pianezzo and towards the Corno Orientale (EE when there is snow); EE for the climb to the Corno Occidentale and Corno Centrale summits.
- Base: Rifugio SEV Pianezzo, open on weekends, midweek public holidays and Wednesdays from March to October, every day in August — check the official website for hours before setting out.
- Waymarking: numbered paths of the Comune di Canzo (Path 1, 5 and 2).
- Caution: the EE sections are not suited to those without experience on rocky terrain, especially when there is snow or wet rock.