Walking tours – Como & Lugano Lakes

(10 days – 9 nights)

Departure dayFROMTO
DailyApril 1, 2021 October 25, 2021
ITSW020

Individual tour – Minimum 2 people

The beautiful glacial Lake Como and Lake Lugano have been a popular holiday destination since Roman times, evidenced by the array of lavish villas and sumptuous gardens which line their shores. Away from the affluent holiday centers is a feast of walking trails exploring the forested valleys, mountain tops and traditional villages which have retained their unique character. This 5- day walking program takes in the highlights of the Monti Lariani and the Ticino mountains with a selection walks of varying lengths and difficulty. During the trip you also have the time to visit some of the beautiful villas and experience the excellent regional cuisine, allowing a complete appreciation of the area

Day 1 – Arrival in Milan

Arrival at Milan airport. Private transfer to the hotel reserved. Rest of the day at disposal. We can book visits and activities. Overnight

Day 2 – Milan

Full day at disposal. We can book visits and activities. Overnight

Day 3 – Milan – Menaggio

Individual transfer to the train station and train ride to Como. On arrival bus to Menaggio (we will provide information – ticket not included) and check in the hotel reserved. The rest of the day is free to explore the town and take in the views of the rugged mountains across the lake. During the following days, take time to explore the small towns, viewpoints, forests on either side of Lake Como, the beautiful gardens of Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo and Villa Melzi in Bellagio.. Overnight

Day 4 –   Walk from Varenna to Dervio

Start the trip with an easy lake side warming-up walk. After breakfast take the boat that crosses the lake to Varenna. Following the East side of the lake take the “Sentiero del Viandante” (the Wayfarer’s path) and experience a rich and ancient cultural landscape with traditional architecture and outstanding views of Lake Como 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.

Challenge: 5 hours, 12.4 km, 637m ascent, 624m descent

Day 5 – Selection of walks

Walk on the Monti Lariani (Lario being the ancient name of Lake Como) with a variety of suggested walks of differing lengths and difficulty. Overnight.

WALK A: From Menaggio through the Val Sanagra Nature Reserve – A loop walk starting in Menaggio takes you to the Val Sanagra, an unknown area rich in historical and cultural traces. From Menaggio you reach Loveno, a noble village with many Villas, then on to Pianuro a vast pastures still used now by livestock. Then the trail follows the Sanagra stream, a typical alpine water course, with several ancient mills and iron foundries that through time has formed impressive gorges. The walk passes through Barna, a lovely hamlets where time seems to have stopped.

Challenge: 5 hrs, 15.5km, 696m ascent, 695m descent

WALK B – From Breglia to Monte Grona and Monte Bregagnino – The walk starts in Breglia, a small village above Menaggio reachable by bus. The path reaches two of the most significant peaks of the western side of the Lake: Monte Grona and Mote Bregagnino. From the top of Monte Grona (1736m) 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, Grigne. On clear days you can see the Alps from Monviso to Bernina. 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”.

Challenge: 6-7hrs., 14km, 1000m ascent, 1000m descent

WALK C – From Menaggio to Rezzonico on the Antica Strada Regina – The Antica Strada Regina that leads along the west coast of Lake Como, was built by the Romans. It was an important road connection between Como and the alpine passes. The old trail was used till the end of the 18th century when the current lake road was built. This stretch starts at Menaggio and runs along cobblestoned paths to the characteristic village of Rezzonico. From the top of the hill there are great views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. After the walk return to Menaggio by local bus.

Challenge: 3 hours, 9 km, 330m ascent, 350m descent

Day 6 – Selection of walks on Lake Como

Today you walk along one of the route described on Day 5. Overnight

Day 7 –  Selection of walks on Lake Como

Today you walk along one of the route described on Day 5. Overnight

Day 8 –  Walk from Cavargna to Porlezza

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 Monti, a typical mountain hamlet reachable only by a land rover track. Going down to Molzano you pass next to very striking mountain walls and open views on both Lake Como and Lake Lugano. A superbly panoramic footpath leads you through woods and meadows 1550m down to Porlezza, situated at the northeast end of the Lake Lugano, and very close to the border. This rural farmland and forest walk with imposing views is one of the area’s highlights. Overnight

Challenge: 5 hours, 16.5 km, 600m ascent, 1300m descent

Day 9 –  Walk from Porlezza to San Mamete via Alpe Vecchio

Today’s optional walk takes you to the mountains above Lugano lake, a beautiful terrain of forest, waterfalls and tiny villages onthe shore of the lake. The start is quite challenging sice you areclimbing up the steep side of the mountain, but once you make itto the Alpe Vecchio, a really beautiful mountain hut on theplateu, you can relax and admire the landscape. The way down tothe village of San Mamete is downhill, through forest and paths,to the village of San Mamete. Here take the bus back to Porlezza. Overnight

Challenge: 5 hours, 11,3 km, 1100m ascent, 1100m descent

Day 10 –  Porlezza/departure

The trip and our services end after breakfast. We will provide a private trannsfer to Lugano train station. Take a trai to your departure airport or proceed with your trip in Italy

ROUTE PROFILE AND MAP

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Difficulty: 🔴 🔴 ⚪️ ⚪️ ⚪️

Trip Grade: This is a self guided walk with average daily stages of 3-7 hours. The paths are clearly visible and well-marked; there are some sections of the trail which are rough and exposed. There are many ups and downs as you would expect in a mountainous region, and walking poles are definitely handy. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Activity characteristics: The walks are along well trodden footpaths, forest trails not always well marked, cobbled paths and small sections on small country lanes

ACCOMMODATIONS

3 * hotel in Milan, Hotel Bellavista in Menaggio, Hotel Europa in Porlezza

PRICE PER PERSON IN EURO

2021PRICE
April 1 – April 241,110
April 25 – May 251,140
May 26 – September 281,210
September 29 – October 251,070

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Accommodations in double rooms in the hotel category mentioned above
  • Daily breakfasts in hotel
  • Arrival transfer in Milan on day 1 and train ticket to Como on day 3
  • Transfer from Menaggio to Cavargna
  • TransferPorlezza/Lugano on day 10
  • Luggage transportation
  • Detailed information pack, route notes and maps with tracks on
  • 24/7 phone assistance

NOT INCLUDED

  • Local tourist taxes that are collected directly by the hotels
  • Trains or busses wherever necessary
  • Any service not mentioned in the “price includes”

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • The package can be booked starting from day 3 with individual arrival in Menaggio
  • We listed the hotels used for this itinerary. It may happen that due to high demand, these hotels are not available. We will provide alternative accommodation of the same type and category
  • Self guided walking tour requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7day service hotline in the event of any problems
  • Supplements may apply during special events dates
  • Pre-post itineraries can be arranged

Please use our contact form or request form to submit your request for this itinerary.