Monte Isola, the climb to the Madonna della Ceriola
From the fishing village of Peschiera Maraglio you climb through olive groves and chestnut trees to the sanctuary at the top of the island, with Lake Iseo all around.
- Difficulty
- E Hiking
- Length
- 5.5 km
- Elevation gain
- +470 m / −470 m
- Time
- 2.5–3 hours
- Route
- Out and back
- Altitude
- 183–555 m
- Season
- Spring Summer Autumn Winter
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The story
Monte Isola is the largest lake island in Italy, and its villages still live from fishing and nets: Peschiera Maraglio has made fishing and sports nets for generations. The Ceriola sanctuary on the summit was the islanders' pilgrimage destination.
Why go
Because you walk on an island where tourists' cars are not allowed, and from the top you see the lake on every side.
Practical information
- Start
- Peschiera Maraglio (boat landing)
- Finish
- Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola (about 600 m), back the same way
- Best time
- All year round
- Parking
- Leave the car in Sulzano or Sale Marasino: visitors may not use cars on the island.
- By public transport
- Boat from Sulzano to Peschiera Maraglio, frequent and short; Brescia–Iseo–Edolo train to Sulzano.
- Water
- Fountains in the island's villages.
- Shade
- Chestnuts and olive groves on the climb.
- Huts and refreshments
- Bars and trattorias in the villages.
- With children
- Yes.
Weather at the start
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
What to see on the route and nearby
After the hike, into the water
More hikes in Lombardy
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- 5★ The Forni glacier trailE 4.1 km · +460 m · 3 hours · point to point
- 6Lake Como Greenway, from Colonno to CadenabbiaT 11 km · +170 m · 3–3.5 hours · point to point
- 7The Via Sacra of the Sacred Mountain of VareseT 3.4 km · +200 m · 1.5–2 hours round trip · out and back
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- 9Rifugio Curò and Lago del Barbellino from ValbondioneE 9.8 km · +960 m · 5–5.5 hours round trip · out and back
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- 11Corni di Canzo: from Fonti di Gajum to Rifugio SEVE 10.3 km · +770 m · 4.5 hours round trip · out and back
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Routes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Waymarked Trails and BRouter; elevations from a digital terrain model. Times and elevation gains are indicative: waymarks on the ground and closure orders always take precedence.