Monte Sasso del Ferro (Lombardy, Italy)

One of the finest panoramic viewpoints of Lake Maggiore, this mountain offers various excursions in the surrounding woods and valleys. Sasso del Ferro, a mountain that rises above the town of Laveno Mombello, on the Varese shores of Lake Maggiore, reaches a height of over 1,000 metres. A quick and convenient cable-car ride takes you from the centre of Laveno up to near the summit: the journey takes about fifteen minutes, and you reach a location known as Poggio Sant'Elsa. The cable-car, which has recently been refurbished and improved by means of technical and financial assistance from the Province of Varese, has always been an important factor in the development of the local tourist industry, facilitating links with the summit of Sasso del Ferro. For further information on the cable-car's opening times and costs, see the website www.funiviedellagomaggiore.it. You can reach the summit of Sasso del Ferro by road, starting from the location Casere di Laveno (the road runs up from the town of Cittiglio), and then continuing on foot, taking a path through the valley woods. Once you are on the summit, you have the feeling of being immersed in the world of nature. On fine days, you can see across to Monte Campo dei Fiori, the lakes of the area, Val Grande, and right up to the majestic Alpine chain, dominated by Monte Rosa and, further south, beyond Monviso, the Ligurian Apennines chain.