Hiking at Lake Como

5 days

Duration

Easy to Moderate

Difficulty

Italy

Location

April-October

Availability

Stay in the beautiful town of Menaggio, with fabulous views of Lake Como.

Enjoy the magnificent scenery that has enchanted artists and travellers for centuries.

Hiking on quiet mountain trails high above the lake.

Explore the winding shorelines dotted with ancient villages and exquisite villas.

Walk along the ancient Roman road, the ‘Antica Strada Regina’ to Rezonnico.

Self-guided walking holiday at Lake Como, based in Menaggio

The beautiful glacial Lake Como has been a popular holiday destination since Roman times and has continued to enchant visitors ever since. Artists and celebrities have long admired the evocative beauty of the sparkling blue expanses of water, hemmed in by steep hills with wooded peaks fading into the hazy distance. There is a real feel of jet-set glamour, with lavish villas and sumptuous gardens lining the shores.

“The hills, mountains and forests around Lake Como are traversed by miles of ancient mule tracks and footpaths that carried generations of peasants, traders, smugglers, and Roman legions on their way to conquering northern tribes.” The Telegraph

Mountain treks away from the tourist crowds

Away from the affluent holiday centres you will also discover a wealth of excellent hiking trails, exploring the forested valleys, mountain tops and traditional villages which have retained their unique character. Old mountain tracks, used by the locals for centuries, have been transformed into a series of way marked trails offering magnificent views of the lakes and the pastel-painted villages dotted along the shorelines. As you ascend on the tranquil forest paths, you reach the peaks high above the lake, from where you will have stunning views to the surrounding mountains. A particular highlight is the Antica Strada Regina, an old Roman road linking Menaggio to Rezzonico.

Of course, the lakeside villages are also a delight, with many charming shops where you can buy locally made products. Food-lovers will also enjoy exploring the area’s unique flavours, with many renowned dishes naturally featuring fresh fish from the lakes.

Menaggio is the perfect base from which to explore Lake Como on foot, with possibilities for both mountain hikes and lakeside strolls. This walking holiday takes in the highlights of the Monti Lariani and the Ticino mountains with a selection of walks of varying lengths and difficulty.

5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

From €620 per person sharing*

*A high season supplement will apply during peak summer periods.
*A minimum of 2 people is required per booking.

ACCOMMODATION

4 nights in double rooms in a 3* hotel with breakfast.

Menaggio: Hotel Bellavista

- Centrally located with swimming pool and veranda in front of lake, where breakfast is served. Rooms are comfortable and clean, although some of the furniture is a bit dated. There is free Wifi and private parking is available.
- The standard price of this holiday is based on lake view rooms. street view rooms are available at a discounted price. Please enquire if you are interested.

You can also book additional nights at the Hotel Bellavista.

AVAILABILITY

You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April and October

INCLUDED

4 nights in the Hotel Bellavista, Menaggio with a lake view room
4 Breakfasts
Day 3: Private transfer to Cavargna for walk to Porlezza
Detailed route notes and maps with marked walking tracks
GPS tracks
Dedicated navigation App
24/7 telephone support

NOT INCLUDED

Flights & travel insurance
Lunches & dinners
Travel to and from Menaggio
Trains, busses or boats wherever necessary
Personal expenses (drinks, phone calls, tips, etc.)

DIFFICULTY / TERRAIN

The difficulty level of this trip is rated as easy to moderate overall. You can choose between a selection walks of varying lengths and difficulty. You can choose the walks depending on your ability, fitness and experience. There are easy, moderate and demanding walks to choose from. The paths are clearly visible and well-marked, although there are some sections which are rough and exposed. There are many ups and downs as you would expect in a mountainous region, and walking poles are definitely useful. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

The walks are along well-trodden footpaths, forest trails, cobbled paths and short sections on small country lanes.

This walking holiday is suitable for all ages, including active children (aged 8 and above).

Day 1: Arrival in Menaggio, Lake Como

Menaggio is located on the western shore of Lake Como. After checking in at your hotel, you have the rest of the day to explore this elegant and peaceful lakeside town. Over the next few days, you will also have the opportunity to use the excellent local boat service to explore some of the other delightful small towns on either side of Lake Como. The beautiful gardens of Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo and Villa Melzi in Bellagio are not to be missed!

Overnight: Menaggio

Day 2: Walk from Varenna to Dervio

Distance: 12.4 km | Ascent: 637 m | Descent: 624 m | 5 hrs approx.

Your first day’s walking is an easy lakeside stroll. After breakfast take the boat that crosses the lake to Varenna, one of the most picturesque of Lake Como’s villages. Following the East side of the lake, take the “Sentiero del Viandante” (the Wayfarer’s Path) and discover a rich and ancient cultural landscape with traditional architecture and outstanding views of the lake and its surrounding mountains.

Just above Varenna, make a short detour to visit the castle in Vezio. It’s worth it!

Return to Menaggio by boat.

Overnight: Menaggio

Day 3: Walk from Cavargna to Porlezza

Distance: 16.5 km | Ascent: 600 m | Descent: 1,300 m | 5 hrs approx.

A morning private transfer takes you to the hill top village of Cavargna from where a spectacular climb takes you to the Church of Saint Lucio, right on the border between Italy and Switzerland. You pass through the typical mountain hamlet of Monti, before descending to Molzano with stunning views over both Lake Como and Lake Lugano.

A superbly panoramic footpath leads you through woods and meadows, descending 1550 m to Porlezza, situated at the northeast end of Lake Lugano and very close to the Swiss border. This rural farmland and forest walk with imposing views is one of the area’s highlights.

From Porlezza, you return to Menaggio by public bus.

Overnight: Menaggio

Day 4: Choice of walks

Choose from a selection of walks on the Monti Lariani (the mountains surrounding Lake Como):

WALK A: Through the Val Sanagra Nature Reserve

Distance: 15.5 km | Ascent: 696 m | Descent: 695 m | 5 hrs approx.

A loop walk starting in Menaggio takes you to the Val Sanagra, an undiscovered area rich in history and heritage. Leaving Menaggio, you pass first through the villas of the noble village of Loveno. You will follow the Sanagra stream, crossing ancient stone bridges as you ascend into the narrowing gorge. You will pass several ancient mills and iron foundries, as well as ancient hamlets where time appears to have stood still for centuries. As you reach Monti Madri you are rewarded with panoramic views over the valley and the wooded peaks beyond.

WALK B – Ascent to Monte Grona and Monte Bregagnino

Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 1,000 m | Descent: 1,000 m | 6½ hrs approx.

This walk starts in Breglia, a small village above Menaggio reachable by bus. The route takes in two of the most significant peaks of the western side of the Lake: Monte Grona and Monte Bregagnino. From the top of Monte Grona (1,736m) you have one of the best views of the Pre Alps; from here you can see the three lakes (Como, Lugano and Piano), and the peaks of Monte Bregagno, Legnone, Pizzo di Gino and Grigna.

The route passes Rifugio Menaggio, one of the most famous mountain huts in the area, situated on a natural terrace from where you have an exceptional view on the south side of Lake Como. There are three different ways to get to the top of the Monte Grona from the Rifugio Menaggio, including an alpine ascent using the “via ferrata”.

WALK C – From Menaggio to Rezzonico on the Antica Strada Regina

Distance: 9 km | Ascent: 530 m | Descent: 493 m | 3 hrs approx.

The Antica Strada Regina, built during the late period of the Roman Empire, was an important road connection along the west side of the lake, linking Como to the alpine passes. The old trail was used up until the late 18^th century, when the current lake road was built.

This well-preserved stretch of the antique road starts at Menaggio and runs along cobblestone paths that lead you through ancient villages and olive groves just far enough above the lake to ensure tranquility and, of course, splendid lake views. The trail ends in the characteristic village of Rezzonico, with its castle and 14^th century tower.

After the walk return to Menaggio by local bus.

Overnight: Menaggio

Day 5: Arrivederci Lake Como!

Your trip and our services come to an end after breakfast this morning.

Getting to Menaggio

	Milan’s Linate (LIN)/Malpensa (MXP) Airports are the closest ones and are served by many flights.
/	From any airport, take the local bus or train to Milano Centrale. Therafter, to reach Menaggio you need to take a local train from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni. For further information please visit www.trenitalia.it. For local busses along Lake Como, check times at http://www.asfautolinee.it/en
	As an alternative, you can take a local train from Milano Centrale to Varenna and then take a ferry to Menaggio. Ferry timetables available at navlaghi.it
	*Arrivals by Car* If you are arriving by car, it is possible to reserve a parking space at Hotel Bellavista in Menaggio. There are only a few places available, so please let us know at the time of booking if you want to do this. Parking costs €10 per day and should be paid on arrival at the hotel.