The Giant Bench

An oversized bench with a dream view

The Giant Bench of Alpe Chiaro is one of the area’s most photographed and beloved attractions. As part of the international Big Bench Community Project, this symbolic installation invites you to sit down, look up, and see the world with fresh, childlike eyes. An oversized structure that blends into the landscape, it offers a breathtaking view over Lake Como and the peaks of Valsassina.

Where it is and how to get there

The Giant Bench is a few minutes’ walk from the Alpe Giumello car park. A short path through the meadows leads to the panoramic spot where it stands, in a quiet, spectacular natural setting. The route is suitable for everyone, including families with children and people with limited mobility.

An installation with deep meaning

The bench is part of the Big Bench Community Project, conceived by American designer Chris Bangle. Its goal is to promote the territory through artistic installations that encourage slow, mindful, landscape-oriented tourism. Climbing onto a giant bench means changing perspective, slowing down, and rediscovering the pleasure of observing.

A perfect spot for a photo or a break

The Giant Bench of Alpe Chiaro is also a perfect photo spot. Sitting on it with your legs dangling and your gaze turned to the sky and the mountains is an experience that’s fun, moving, and makes for a unique keepsake photo. Near the bench you’ll also find areas to lie on the grass, have a picnic, or simply rest.

What you can see from the bench

The view from the bench is one of the most captivating in all of Valsassina:

• Lake Como, shimmering in the distance under the sun.
• Le Grigne, rising on the horizon with their sharp ridgelines.
• The meadows of Alpe Chiaro, changing colour with the seasons.
• The open sky—perfect for sunrise, sunset, or stargazing.

Ideal in every season

In spring the bench is surrounded by alpine blooms; in summer it offers a place to rest after a hike; in autumn it takes on the warm colours of the foliage; and in winter it becomes a suggestive destination to reach with snowshoes or boots. It’s a place to visit several times a year, discovering it anew each time.

Big Bench Passport and stamp

Like all official benches in the Big Bench network, the one at Alpe Chiaro is numbered and registered. At mountain huts or partner points you can purchase the Big Bench Passport and receive the dedicated stamp—a fun way to collect visits to benches across Italy.

By the Associazione Pro Vendrogno

The creation of the Giant Bench was desired and promoted by the Associazione Pro Vendrogno, which also looks after its maintenance, signage, and tourist promotion. It is a project that brings together art, nature, inclusivity, and enhancement of the territory in a simple yet effective way.

An invitation to slow down and be amazed

The Giant Bench of Alpe Chiaro is not just an oversized seat: it is an invitation to slow down, look up, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. A symbol of welcome and openness, it speaks to young and old alike with the universal simplicity of beautiful things.