The territory which extends from Como Lake to Lugano Lake as far as the boarder with Switzerland belongs to the province of Como and it is situated in the north-western zone.

Driving up from Menaggio to the valley which approaches Lugano Lake we come by Piano Lake. This is a natural oasis which is currently being improved in order to create new resourses such as guided routes for flora and wildlife observation.

Piano Lake - Click to enlarge

The Lombard Regional Authority declared it a natural Reserve in 1984 and handed the direction over to the Communit� Montana Alpi Lepontine.

During the last century a canal was dug out, named "Lagadone" in order to try and drain the lake to retreive the arable land which links it to the Ceresio.

Como viewed from Brunate - Click to enlarge

The major valleys are Val Menaggio, Val Rezzo, Val Cavargna and Val Sanagra. They present harsh profiles but at the same time are magical. They are rich in vegetation and are cut by countless torrents and surrounded by numerous peaks such a Monte Crocione (1,641 mts), Monte di Tremezzo (1,700 mts), Monte Galbiga (1,698 mts), Sasso Bianco (1,262 mts).

Porlezza - Click to enlarge

To the north there is the range which starts from Garzirola to Pizzo di Gino, on which we can pinpoint Sasso Cima Verta (2,078 mts), Monte Bregagno (2,107 mts) and Pizzo di Gino, the highest peak in the territory (2,245 mts).

Menaggio - Click to enlarge