Varese Prealps
Western Lugano Prealps
Monte Tamaro, the highest mountain in the Varese Prealps
Highest point
PeakMonte Tamaro
Elevation1,967 m (6,453 ft)
Naming
Native namePrealpi Varesine (Italian)
Geography
CountriesSwitzerland and Italy
Canton, RegionTicino and Lombardy
Parent rangeLugano Prealps
Borders onComasche Prealps, Lepontine Alps and Po plain
Geology
OrogenyAlpine orogeny
Type of rockSedimentary rocks

The Varese Prealps (Italian: Prealpi Varesine) are a subsection of the Lugano Prealps, located between the Italian Province of Varese and Canton Ticino in Switzerland, between Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, the Val d'Agno and the Po Plain.[1][2]

They include two main ranges, separated by the Tresa valley: to the north the Tamaro-Gambarogno-Lema range, and to the south the Piambello-Campo dei Fiori-Nudo range. The Tamaro-Gambarogno-Lema range includes the tallest mountains in the Varese Prealps, Monte Tamaro (1,967 m), Monte Gradiccioli (1,936 m) and Monte Lema (1,621 m).[3][4]

The Piambello-Campo dei Fiori-Nudo range is further divided in a number of massifs. The Campo dei Fiori massif, whose highest peak is Punta di Mezzo (1,227 m), is located just north of Varese, between Lake Varese to the south, the Val di Rasa to the east and the Valcuvia to the north. The Martica-Chiusarella massif, whose highest peak is Monte Martica (1,032 m), lies to its east, beween Varese, the Val di Rasa, the Valcuvia and the Valganna. Further to the east is the Minisfreddo-Poncione massif, which includes Monte Minisfreddo (the highest at 1,042 m), Monte San Bernardo, Poncione di Ganna and Monte Rho di Arcisate.[5][6]

The Piambello massif is located east of the Valganna, southwest of Lake Lugano and northwest of Valceresio. Its peaks include Monte Piambello (the highest at 1,129 m), Monte Sette Termini, Monte La Nave, Monte Mezzano and Monte Castelvecchio. South-east of it is the San Giorgio-Pravello massif, consisting of Monte San Giorgio (1,097 m), Monte Pravello (1,015 m), Monte Orsa and Monte Sant'Elia. Finally, the Valcuvia massif is located between Valcuvia, Valtravaglia and Lake Maggiore; it includes Monte Nudo, the highest peak in the southern Varese Prealps at 1,235 meters above sea level, as well as Sasso del Ferro (1,062 m), Poggio Sant'Elsa, Pizzo di Cuvignone (1,018 m), the Pizzoni di Laveno (1,035 m), Monte San Martino (1,087 m) and Monte Pian Nave (1,058 m).[7][8]

The Campo dei Fiori Regional Park and the Cinque Vette Park are located in the Varese Prealps.

Main peaks

The main mountains, arranged by descending elevation above sea level, are:

References

  1. ↑ Sergio Marazzi, Atlante Orografico delle Alpi. SOIUSA, pp. 15-23-34-45-51-55-57-60-129-142.
  2. ↑ Prealpi
  3. ↑ Sergio Marazzi, Atlante Orografico delle Alpi. SOIUSA, pp. 15-23-34-45-51-55-57-60-129-142.
  4. ↑ Prealpi
  5. ↑ Sergio Marazzi, Atlante Orografico delle Alpi. SOIUSA, pp. 15-23-34-45-51-55-57-60-129-142.
  6. ↑ Prealpi
  7. ↑ Sergio Marazzi, Atlante Orografico delle Alpi. SOIUSA, pp. 15-23-34-45-51-55-57-60-129-142.
  8. ↑ Prealpi
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