Walking Lake Como and Maggiore (northern Italy)
With so much on offer at Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, both regions provide unforgettable experiences with their scenic walks, historic paths, and charming villages. Here we take a stroll along the beautiful lakesides to explore a fantastic array of walking routes.
Walking Lake Como and Maggiore
Day walks and the Sentiero del Viandante trek in the Italian Lakes
£17.95
Guidebook to 28 day walks and the Sentiero del Viandante trek in the beautiful Italian lakes of Maggiore and Como. Routes are graded by difficulty and range from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain peaks. Well-waymarked trails take you away from the crowds to visit tiny hamlets, historic villas and scenic islands, with walks for all year round.
More informationLake Como
Como is a charming town on the edge of a stunning lake. It offers a picturesque setting and is accessible by train, making it a convenient starting point for exploring Lake Como. Menaggio, located halfway up the western shore, is an excellent base for walking holidays there. The village is quiet, with a helpful Tourist Office providing detailed guidance for walkers.
Top walks around Menaggio
- Val Sanagra: This tranquil valley features high arched stone bridges and a converted water-powered mill turned rustic eatery.
- Rifugio Menaggio: From Breglia, a climb leads to this refuge on Monte Grona. Continuing uphill, the ridge offers panoramic views of the Alps and Lake Como.
- Greenway: An easy lakeside route passing villas, churches, and cafés, with excellent panoramas of the western lake.
Bellagio and surroundings
A short ferry trip to Bellagio reveals delightful walking routes looping via lakeside coves, harbours, and a villa with a monumental avenue. From Bellagio, trails lead to Monte Nuvolone and Monte San Primo, offering views from Milan to the Matterhorn.
Strada Regia
A stretch of the ancient Strada Regia links Bellagio with Como. This historic path features long paved sections and glacial erratics, ending with a ferry trip to flower-decorated harbours.
Lake Maggiore Highlights
Stresa
Stresa, a laidback village halfway up the western edge of Lake Maggiore, is the gateway to the Borromean Islands and Mottarone Mountain, accessible by cable car. The walk down from Mottarone offers unbeatable views, enhanced by the Peak Finder app.
Cannobio
North towards the Swiss border, Cannobio offers walks such as the traverse from Cannero and the historic Via Borromea down Val Cannobina, passing traditional hamlets, stone bridges, and concluding with a lakeside drink.
Monteviasco
Monteviasco, on the northeastern shore opposite Cannobio, is an alpine hamlet reached by foot or cable car. The village, with slate-roofed houses and narrow alleys, feels like a step back in time. A local eatery run by residents adds to its charm.
Our guidebook covers 28 day walks, plus the Sentiero del Viandante trek, in the beautiful Italian lakes of Maggiore and Como. Routes are graded by difficulty and range from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain peaks. Well-waymarked trails take you away from the crowds to visit tiny hamlets, historic villas and scenic islands, with walks for all year round. Below is a sneak peek of the walks included in the book.
| Name | Time | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stresa to Belgirate | 2hr 40min | 9km (5.6 miles) | 1–2 |
| From the Mottarone to Baveno | 3hr 50min | 15km (9.3 miles) | 2+ |
| Monte Orfano and Lago di Mergozzo | 4hr | 13km (8 miles) | 2-3 |
| Cavandone on Monterosso | 2hr 30min | 8.5km (5.3 miles) | 1-2 |
| Ghiffa Sanctuary Loop | 3hr | 10.5km (6.5 miles) | 1-2 |
| Villages above Cannero | 4hr | 16.5km (10.3 miles) | 2 |
| The Cannero–Cannobio Traverse | 2hr 20min | 8.5km (5.3 miles) | 1-2 |
| Monte Carza | 5hr | 17km (10.6 miles) | 2-3 |
| Val Cannobina | 5hr | 20km (12.4 miles) | 2 |
| Cannobio–San Bartolomeo in Montibus Circuit | 3hr 40min | 12km (7.5 miles) | 2 |
| Monteviasco | 4hr | 15.6km (9.7 miles) | 1-2 |
| Sasso del Ferro | 2hr 30min | 8.5km (5.3 miles) | 2 |
| Moltrasio to Laglio | 1hr 45min | 5.2km (3.2 miles) | 1-2 |
| Pigra to Colonno | 2hr | 5.8km (3.6 miles) | 2 |
| Colonno to Cadenabbia on the Greenway | 3hr 15min | 10.5km (6.5 miles) | 1 |
| San Martino Circuit | 2hr 30min | 5.7km (3.5 miles) | 2 |
| The Bocchetta di Nava Traverse | 3hr 15min | 9km (5.6 miles) | 2 |
| Crocetta | 1hr | 3.5km (2.2 miles) | 1 |
| Val Sanagra | 5hr 20min | 14km (8.7 miles) | 2 |
| Rifugio Menaggio and Monte Grona | 4hr 40min | 9km (5.6 miles) | 2+ |
| San Domenico and the Santuario di Breglia | 1hr 15min | 3km (1.8 miles) | 1 |
| Gravedona to Domaso | 1hr 30min | 4km (2.5 miles) | 1-2 |
| Domaso to Gera Lario | 2hr 20min | 7.5km (4.6 miles) | 2 |
| Around Bellagio | 2hr | 6km (3.7 miles) | 1 |
| Belvedere del Monte Nuvolone | 4hr 15min | 14km (8.7 miles) | 2 |
| Monte San Primo | 3hr 20min | 7.5km (4.6 miles) | 2+ |
| The Strada Regia from Pognana Lario to Torno | 3hr 30min | 10.5km (6.5 miles) | 1-2 |
| Brunate to Torno Path | 3hr 30min | 12.5km (7.7 miles) | 2 |
| Sentiero del Viandante Trek | 19hr 10min (5 days) | 54.3km (33.7 miles) | 2 |
Walking Lake Como and Maggiore
Day walks and the Sentiero del Viandante trek in the Italian Lakes
£17.95
Guidebook to 28 day walks and the Sentiero del Viandante trek in the beautiful Italian lakes of Maggiore and Como. Routes are graded by difficulty and range from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain peaks. Well-waymarked trails take you away from the crowds to visit tiny hamlets, historic villas and scenic islands, with walks for all year round.
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