Monte Generoso

Monte Generoso
Calvagione
Monte Generoso, as seen from Cantello in Italy
Highest point
Elevation	1,701 m (5,581 ft)
Prominence	1,321 m (4,334 ft)
Isolation	14.4 km (8.9 mi)
Coordinates	45°55′52.5″N 9°01′12″E / 45.931250°N 9.02000°E / 45.931250; 9.02000Coordinates: 45°55′52.5″N 9°01′12″E / 45.931250°N 9.02000°E / 45.931250; 9.02000
Geography
Monte Generoso Location in the Alps
Location	Ticino, Switzerland Lombardy, Italy
Parent range	Lugano Prealps
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike or Monte Generoso Railway

Monte Generoso (also known as Calvagione) is a mountain of the Lugano Prealps, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy and between Lake Lugano and Lake Como. The western and southern flanks of the mountain lie in the Swiss canton of Ticino, whilst the north-eastern flanks are in the Italian region of Lombardy.

The view from the summit of the mountain encompasses the lakes of Lugano, Como, Varese and Maggiore. To the north are the Alps, stretching from the Matterhorn via the Jungfrau and the Saint-Gotthard Massif to the Bernina Range. To the south are the Lombardy Plains and the Po Valley, with the city of Milan and the Apennine Mountains visible on a clear day.

The summit can be approached by the Monte Generoso Railway, a rack railway that starts from Capolago in Switzerland, and climbs via the western flank of the mountain. The summit station includes a panoramic terrace and buffet, a restaurant and a hotel. A paved path links the railway's summit station to the summit proper, a distance of approximately 350 metres (1,150 ft) and a difference in altitude of about 100 metres (330 ft).

There is road access from Mendrisio in Switzerland to Bellavista, some 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the summit and an intermediate station on the railway. Hiking trails reach the summit from different starting points, including Bellavista, Capolago and Mendrisio.