Description

Climbing the Cosia to the land of Alessandro Volta and the Brunate lighthouse

The climb up to Brunate runs along the Cosia torrent and through places associated with Alessandro Volta, including Villa Campora, the Camnago Volta mausoleum and the Faro Voltiano (Volta Lighthouse) in Brunate. We then follow the old tramway and pass over the Ponte dei Bottini bridge to reach the road that leads to Brunate.

An intriguing alternative is climbing to Brunate by bike after taking the funicular, which opened in 1894. Nicknamed “Bruco”, the cars feature big windows that afford great views as they travel up and down the single track, which divides halfway up so ascending and descending cars can pass. The steep 1,074 m track rises over 493 m with an average gradient of 46% and a journey time of seven minutes. It even has a “midday cannon” on the passing loop halfway up which was installed in 1912 and brought back into use in 1990 to fire a salute every day at noon.

The lighthouse is open to visitors and spectacular views of breathtaking countryside await you at the top once you have climbed the 143 steps. From the lighthouse in Brunate you can ride along the Dorsale del Triangolo Lariano (Ridge of the Larian Triangle) towards the mountain lodge trail until you join the trail for Monte Boletto (1237 m) and then for Monte Bolettone (1317 m) with fabulous views from both peaks.

The first opportunity to go back is by descending from Alpe del Vicerè to Albavilla, but only for expert riders. Otherwise riders with medium experience can return to Como via Garzola where you can visit the shrine to water sports.

Both these routes take you back to the Tempio Voltiano (Volta Temple) in Como.

Ready to ride with us?

This guided tour by e-MTB (electric mountain bike) offers three itineraries of varying lengths: the first is a three-hour ride, the second 4,5 hours, and the third six hours. The level of technical difficulty and physical effort required also varies according to your chosen itinerary, which you can check below. The following summary illustrates the level of technical difficulty and physical effort that apply to each option.

e-MTB: 3-hour route

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY (rated from 1 to 5): ▼

PHYSICAL RATING (rated from 1 to 5): ♥♥

STS (Single Trail Scale): S0

e-MTB: 4,5-hour route

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY (rated from 1 to 5): ▼▼

PHYSICAL RATING (rated from 1 to 5): ♥ ♥ ♥

STS (Single Trail Scale): S1

e-MTB: 6-hour route

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY (rated from 1 to 5): ▼▼▼▼

PHYSICAL RATING (rated from 1 to 5): ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

STS (Single Trail Scale): S3

The Single Trail Scale (STS) is an international trail grading system: to find out more you can download the description of all the STS levels.

Our guides are on hand to give you all the information and tools you needs to tackle the itineraries. The price of the tour includes e-MTB hire. If you would prefer to use a conventional MTB or bring your own bike, please email us at info@bikemotion.net.

Discounts are available for large groups: please contact us to find out more about pricing.

Should you wish to do part of the route with the funicular and therefore also climb up the lighthouse and visit the Nautical Museum, these activities are priced separately. Let us know if you are interested in these options when you contact us so we can include them in your tour.

With regard to the possible risks created by the spread of COVID‐19 and in compliance with the relevant laws, BikEmotion adopts all measures necessary to combat and contain the spread of the new virus, and regulates all the safety measures that need to be taken.