The Corni di Canzo are a group of three rocky peaks in the Triangolo Lariano, in the municipality of Canzo: the Corno Occidentale (1,373 m), the highest, the Corno Centrale (1,368 m) and the Corno Orientale (1,232 m), the lowest and most accessible. Under the SOIUSA classification they belong to the Prealpi Comasche, within the “Gruppo dei Corni di Canzo”.
History
On the summit of the Corno Occidentale stands a metal cross about 1.5 metres tall, erected in 1947 and restored in June 2018 by the Canzo section of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club).
What to see
The Corno Orientale is the most accessible of the three and can be reached in about 20 minutes from Rifugio SEV Pianezzo. Climbing the Corno Occidentale and Corno Centrale instead requires more exposed rock passages, with difficulty rising from E to EE (EE also towards the Orientale when there is snow): a section to approach with care, not suited to those without experience on rocky terrain. From the climb, the view stretches over Lake Como and the surrounding peaks, including the Resegone.
Getting there
The peaks are reached on foot from the Fonti di Gajum, a hamlet of Canzo, via Rifugio SEV Pianezzo (Path 1 or Path 5 of the Comune di Canzo network). An alternative approach follows the “Giorgio Achermann” geological trail in Val Ravella (Path 2), which climbs the valley floor from Gajum towards the Terza Alpe. The full loop, described stage by stage in the Ascesa ai Corni di Canzo itinerary, takes about 5 hours according to the sources.
Practical information
- Difficulty: E as far as Rifugio SEV; EE for the climb to the Corno Occidentale and Corno Centrale summits (EE also towards the Orientale when there is snow).
- Ascent and timing vary by route and source: 740 m in about 2h30 (Comune di Canzo, up to the hut), 823 m in about 2h30 (another source, up to the hut), 892 m in about 5 hours for the full loop to the Corno Centrale summit.
- No fixed protection (ropes, chains) is reported; the final rocky sections still call for sure footing and mountain experience.