Easy hike through the Monticolo Forest and around the two lakes: You can swim here in summer
Image gallery: Hike from Maso Ronco to the Monticolo Lakes
The Maso Ronco sports area south of Cornaiano is located in the Monticolo Forest nature reserve. It makes a good starting point for hikes and walks in this protected area, as it is easy to reach and has parking available. A wide woodland path, a few slight inclines, and mostly flat sections through large deciduous forests await us. Our route is very well signposted.
We follow paths no. 2A, 2, and 1, always heading towards the Small Monticolo Lake. Here, we walk past the snack station and stay on path 1, which takes us to the Big Monticolo Lake. Heading south, we pass the Seehotel Sparer and reach the reed belt, where path 20 continues across a wooden boardwalk to form the lake circuit. On the other side of the lake, we pass the charming Lake Castle, or Seeschlössl, a somewhat hidden spot right by the water.
The route then continues along the eastern shore to the rocks. Water birds, dragonflies, and fish: Information boards explain everything we might see. We follow the signs to the Small Monticolo Lake, which we then walk around as well. This small lake seems even less altered by human activity than its larger neighbour. Both lakes are popular spots for swimming in the summer.
The Big Monticolo Lake even has a lido on its shore. After completing the circuit, we return along the same path to our starting point in Maso Ronco. Incidentally, another hike in this area, or an extension to this tour, leads up the mythical Colle dell'Uomo hill.
Author: AT
Experienced: May 2011
Last updated: 2026
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- Starting point:
- Maso Ronco sports area in the Monticolo Forest (497 m a.s.l.)
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- Overall time:
- 02:25 h
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- Total route length:
- 8,6 km
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- Altitude:
- from 497 m to 579 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +158 m | -158 m
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- Signposts:
- no. 2A, 2, 1, 20, "Seerundweg"
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- Destination:
- Big and Small Monticolo Lake
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- Resting points:
- Sportbar Rungg, Seehotel Sparer, Small Monticolo Lake snack station (April/May to November)
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Hike from Maso Ronco to the Monticolo Lakes
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- More information:
- The overall time shown above refers to the walking time only, not including breaks or stops.
If you want to undertake this hike, we recommend checking the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before starting this hike!
