About the Mountain

This massif is part of a larger chain of mountains called the Monti Lariani which run along the western side of Lake Como. It is the physical frontier between this part of Italy and Switzerland. The word Lariani means of Lario, another name for Lake Como. Some maps, especially older ones, name the western branch of Lake Como that runs from Como to its northern tip as Lago di Lario, while the one running from Bellagio to Lecco as Lago di Lecco.

The Monti Lariani are relatively low, but they rise very quickly from Lake Como creating steep and dramatic faces that facilitate spectacular balcony style post card views of the lake below. Every point along the ridges of these mountains offers up a unique view of this picturesque lake.

When you walk in these mountains, stop to consider that for a few decades after World War II these were the mountains that local Italians crossed with contraband goods from Switzerland with 30 kg packs (a bricolla) on their backs. It was a hard and dangerous life, but the economies of the villages around these mountains relied on these contrabandists (the Sfrosadur) who were always trying to out run the local Italian finance police (the Burlanda).

Davide Bernasconi, a musician from Mezzegra, a village at the foot of Crocione, has become quite famous internationally writing and singing songs in the local dialect, many of which tell stories inspired by these years of contraband. His stage name is Davide Van de Sfroos which translates liberally to something like Davide doing contraband. Visit his web site.

For more information about the routes to Crocione visit Griante.com.

Hiking Information