SIGHIGNOLA

SIGHIGNOLA THE BALCONY OF ITALY IN VAL D’INTELVI

Sighignola is a fantastic viewpoint located at 1320m in the upper Val d'Intelvi, a side valley of Lake Como.

This natural terrace is not a popular destination for traditional tourist circuits. The viewpoint faces west directly on the border with Switzerland, overlooking Lake Lugano, Lugano city, Campione d'Italia and the Monte Rosa group until you see the Cervino-Matterhorn.

Thanks to an asphalted road it is possible to reach Sighignola from Porlezza or Argegno, even if the last part of the road is quite narrow and steep.

Once you reach the car park at the top, you can reach in a few steps a large terrace where the Italian flag flies and just below there is another panoramic terrace in Swiss territory, where there is also a small playground for children.

The panorama is exceptional both during the day and at night, with the contrast of colors between the sky, the mountains and the lake of Lugano. A play of lights reflected in the waters of the lake, all surrounded by the frame of the Western Alps.

"Wandering around the lake with four Belgian friends on board, I left Porlezza on my way up the road to the Intelvi valley.

The companions of adventure, accustomed to the plains of northern Europe, were quite worried.

The arrival in Sighignola and the view from the balcony of Italy left everyone amazed and enthusiastic about this fantastic place hidden in the woods.

We had a cool beer at the Baita di Lanzo, which ended our afternoon in joy"

Paolo

From the car park, you can also reach the top of the promontory, where there is a religious chapel of the Alpini.

Sighignola is also a take-off point for paragliders and hangs gliders. Less than a kilometer from Sighignola there is a typical inn "La Baita Lanzo". The restaurant offers typical dishes, main game, in a setting surrounded by forest, ideal for a dinner with friends, then reach the "Balcony of Italy" and admire the sunset or the spectacle of a night view.

Under the Baita Lanzo, there is a small ski lift with ski slope, open in winter, ideal area as a ski school.

THE CAMPIONE D’ITALIA CABLEWAY PROJECT

This fantastic place, called the "Balcony of Italy", also witnesses to a long and sad history. At the end of the sixties, a company began work to connect Sighignola to Campione d'Italia by cable car and make it a tourist attraction as well as the funiculars and lifts in the Swiss mountains above Lugano.

Due to major financial problems, the project was suspended, leaving an advanced construction site and some pylons in a state of abandonment for years.

Thanks to the interest of the local community and the proposal to FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) to restore the area, today the terrace has been cleaned, restored and made accessible to visitors.

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WHAT TO DO AND VISIT AT THE BELVEDERE AND IN THE NEARBY AREA

AT THE BELVEDERE OF SIGHIGNOLA

1. Enjoy the fantastic view of the lake and the Alps from the "Balcony of Italy".

2. Visit the small chapel of the Alpine troops.

3. Take off from Sighignola with your paraglider or hang glider.

4. Enjoy the typical cuisine at the Baita di Lanzo.

5. Have fun with the children in the ski school camp.

6. Have a walk in the woods of Val d'Intelvi.

IN THE NEARBY AREA

1. Take a boat from the beautiful Varenna to Bellagio.

2. Visit the militay fort of Montecchio in Colico.

3. Kitesurf and windsurf in Colico and Gera Lario.

4. A panoramic excursion to the Rifugio Menaggio and Monte Grona.

5. Bike to the famous Bellagio across the hills and visit the museum of the bikers at the Santuario Della Madonna del Ghisallo.

7. Don't miss a visit of Como and Brunate.

8. MTB on the Tracciolino Trail.

9. Visit the Ossuccio and the Comacina island.

EXCLUSIVE EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE AREA

INFO AND BOOKING

WHERE TO SLEEP NEARBY SIGHIGNOLA - HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS

The Belvedere of Sighignola is located at the top of Val d'Intelvi that offers fewer hotels and a number of B&B and holiday houses. It is possible to find an accomodation also in others villages of the Como lake and Lugano lake.

Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses nearby Sighignola and book the best solution for You, using this link:

BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES NEARBY SIGHIGNOLA

HOW TO GET TO SIGHIGNOLA

Located on top of the Intelvi Valley, Sighignola can be reached by car (a destination very popular for bikers and cyclists), from Como along the entire valley to Lanzo d'Intelvi, then continuing to Sighignola along a steeper and narrower stretch of road.

Alternatively, you can reach Lanzo from Lugano via Porlezza or Maroggia. By bus from Como connection to Lanzo d'Intelvi, then walk along a path, for about 1.5-2h walk.

FLIGHT CONNECTIONS: Check here for your flight on:

MXP - Milan Malpensa airport 1,30h

LIN - Milan Linate airport 1,30h

BGY - Milan Bergamo airport 1,45h

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