Monte Crocione, Mountain summit in Tremezzina, Menaggio, Italy
Monte Crocione is a mountain summit above Menaggio, in the Tremezzina area on Lake Como in northern Italy. The slopes are covered with forest and open grassy areas that give way to rocky sections near the top, which is marked by a large metal cross shaped like a pyramid.
During the First World War, this part of the Lake Como hills was fortified as part of the Cadorna Line, a defensive system built to guard the Swiss border. A tunnel carved through the rock, around 100 meters long, survives from that period and is crossed by hikers on the main trail today.
The large metal cross at the top acts as a meeting point for hikers arriving from different trails, and many stop there to take in the view before heading back down. From the summit, the Bellagio peninsula is clearly visible below, jutting into the water between the two arms of the lake.
The trail starts near the small church of Madonna delle Grazie in Paullo, just outside Menaggio, where there is space to park. The path follows the Via dei Monti Lariani waymarks, so solid footwear and enough water are important, especially during warmer months.
The wartime tunnel is completely dark inside, so a flashlight makes a real difference when walking through it. An alternative descent follows the ridge over Monte di Tremezzo and Calbiga, letting hikers return by a different route without retracing their steps.
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