Hiking Como lake: villas, rural villages and the Mount San Primo

Discovering the world known beauty of Como lake in the best way: by the slow rhythm of the pace, taking our time to enjoy the beautiful colours, perfumes, landscape of the lake sides. We will change prospective, from the lake sides to the summit of Mount San Primo, a 1682 meters high balcony that provides a stunning view of the surroundings. We will walk through pleasant forests and ancient rural villages connected by pathways and mule tracks, consumed for centuries by the foot of people cultivating, trading, going on pilgrimage, exchanging good and ideas.
We will not miss Como, Bellagio, Tremezzo, Varenna, the renowned villas… Wonderful indeed. Yet there is much more between them: we will look for hidden treasures!

Hiking Como lake: villas, rural villages and the Mount San Primo
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The travel day by day

Itinerary in Lombardy

Day 1

Meeting with the guide in Como in the afternoon.
Stroll through the town centre.

Dinner at restaurant.
Overnight in Hotel*** in Como.

Day 2

Breakfast.
Cable car to Brunate. Hike to Torno.

From Como to Brunate with the historic funicular! Inaugurated in 1894, it covers the 500 meters slope in 7 minutes.
Visit to the old and panoramic hamlet of Bellagio then hike to the village of Torno.
The path through the slopes of Triangolo Lariano overlooks Como Lake and meets some erratic boulders, remains of the glacial age. A final uphill stretch in the woods leads to the hamlet of Montepiatto. From the spectacular church’s terrace, we will enjoy a wonderful panorama on the lake and the mountains. After the visit to the amazing boulder called Pietra Pendula, we will descend the mule track until the charming little Torno’s square, facing the lake.

Difficulty: moderate
ascent: 100 m
descent: 600 m
walking time (excluding stops): 04:00

Boat to Como.
Dinner at restaurant.
Overnight in Hotel*** in Como.

Day 3

Breakfast.
Transfer by minivan to Colma di Sormano (30 km, 1h)
Hike to Monte San Primo.

Today we are reaching the top of Triangolo Lariano, the triangular shaped area between the two lower branches of Como Lake: the Como and Lecco ones. With its 1682 meters of altitude, San Primo Mount it is the most amazing panoramic point of the area, offering a 360° view over the lake and the surrounding mountains, such as the “Grigne” with their rocky shapes. The path goes gently uphill through woods and pastures, and it descend a little bit more steeply on the opposite side, where our minibus will be waiting for us.

Difficulty: medium
ascent: 700 m
descent: 800 m
walking time (excluding stops): 06:00

Transfer by minivan to Bellagio (10 km, 20 min).
Dinner and overnight in Hotel** in Bellagio.

Day 4

Breakfast.
Bellagio reveled: hike and relax.

Bellagio is known as “la perla del lago di Como”, Como lake pearl, for its beauty and its central position.
Bellagio Borgo is the town historic centre, but we will also discover other very characteristic and less known little hamlets scattered through the peninsula that divides the two branches of the lake. During our walk we will overlook both side of the lake, and enjoy beautiful sceneries, where architecture and nature combine in such a unique way.

Difficulty: easy
ascent: 200 m
descent: 200 m
walking time (excluding stops): 03:30
km 8

Tip: during the warm season a swim in the lake is a must!
Possible visit to the gardens of Villa Melzi.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel** in Bellagio.

Day 5

Breakfast.
Transfer by minivan to Bellagio pier.
Boat to Tremezzo, luggage deposit and bus to Colonno.
Hike along the Lake Como Greenway.

The Greenway is a leisurely and pleasant walk between Colonno and Tremezzo, following traces of the Antica Strada Regina, an antique connection road built by the Romans. This 10 km long itinerary leads through ancient villages (Sala Comacina, Spurano, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra) with wonderful examples of architecture, villas and gardens, and offers charming views.

Difficulty: easy
ascent: 100 m
descent: 100 m
walking time (excluding stops): 03:00

At Lenno possible visit to the gardens of Villa Balbianello, a romantic 18th century mansion.

Luggage pick up and boat from Tremezzo to Varenna.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel*** at Varenna.

Day 6

Breakfast.
Hike along the “Wanderer Path” from Varenna to Bellano.

A panoramic hike on the sunny western coast of Como Lake, along the Via del Viandante (Wanderer Path), a beautiful mule track that runs among chestnut woods, cultivated fields and olive groves: this area is the northest spot in Italy for the production of olive oil. Bellano, another characteristic village, is famous for the “Orrido”, a natural gorge created by the waters of Pioverna River, still flowing turbulently.

Difficulty: moderate
ascent: 300 m
descent: 300 m
walking time (excluding stops): 04:00

Possible visit to olive trees grove ad olive oil tasting.
Possible visit to Orrido di Bellano.

Train to Varenna.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel*** at Varenna.

Day 7

Breakfast.
We say goodbye!
Possible train from Varenna to Milano (1h).

Travel information

This program may be to change, before and during the journey. Changes are based on the climate, the needs of travelers and the people that host the group of travelers.

Local representative

During the stay, professional nature and interpretive AIGAE guide will be at your disposal.

Level of difficulty

Moderate (out of five categories: Easy, Moderate, Medium, Challenging, Difficult). 5 walking days. This itinerary is suitable to everybody, however mountain-walking training is desirable. The trails do not pose major challenges. The overnight stays are comfortable.

Available dates

All year round. For more information see the document How we travel, which can be consulted on the website or requested directly from the agency.

Prices

Rates per person for the 7-day tour for a group of:

Individual rate in euros
12 people10 people8 people6 people
Adults960,00975,00990,001020,00

 

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THE PRICING TAB YOU MAY CONTACT THE AGENT

What is included:

  • support from a qualified hiking guide
  • accommodation in a double / multiple room with half board
  • all means of transportation described in the program from the meeting point in Como to the last day in Varenna
  • our tailored assistance
  • ViaggieMiraggi share

What is not included:

  • trip to Como and from Varenna
  • travel, medical and cancellation insurance
  • drinks (where not included)
  • all packed lunches
  • city taxes
  • personal expenses, anything not expressly mentioned items
  • entrance fees to gardens, villas, natural monuments, tastings

All quotations are subject to availability at the time of confirming a booking

What is possible to include:

  • Entrance to the gardens of Villa Melzi in Bellagio on day 4
  • Entrance to the gardens of Villa Balbianello on day 5
  • Visit to olive grove ad olive oil tasting on day 6
  • Visit to Orrido di Bellano on day 6

Conditions

The minimum number of participants required to complete the trip is 6 people. The maximum is 15. Travellers will be informed 15 days prior to departure, in order to confirm.

Registrations

For registration terms and conditions please consult the following website: How we travel – italy.viaggiemiraggi.org

For information do not hesitate to contact us:
italia@viaggiemiraggi.org


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