Walking at Lake Como

Walking information

The walks are on mountain paths and lakeside tracks, many with a large number of steps and cobbles. All walks involve steep ascents and/or descents, and traverse steep hillsides. Walkers should be confident and relatively fit. Walking boots and poles are strongly recommended.

Day 1 - Arrive in Como

Arrive in Como. Your hotel is ideally located in central Como, within easy reach of an excellent choice of restaurants, shops and bars. Como's railway station, marina and Old Town, with its white marble Duomo and medieval town walls, are all a short walk away.

Day 2 - Brunate to Torno Walk 8km/5mi/4hr

Take the funicular up to the tiny hilltop village of Brunate, 700m above Como town, for incredible views over Como lake, town and the surrounding mountains. Then make your way across the hillside through birch forest and past tumbling streams to the narrow, cobbled streets of lakeside Torno. Ferry (20 mins) or public bus back to Como.

Day 3 - Monte Piatto Walk 10km/6.5mi/4.5hr

Ferry to Torno. From Torno's winding alleyways, head uphill along an ancient mule track past colourful peach terraces, glittering waterfalls and ancient stone carved tombs for a glorious lake panorama. A stepped trail up to a shaded mossy valley brings you to Monte Piatto village, perched high above the water. A steep descent under wild cherry trees takes you back to Torno. Ferry to Como.

Day 4 - Como/Monte San Primo to Magreglio/Bellagio 7km/4.5mi/5hr

Private transfer (1hr) up to 1000m on Monte San Primo. Climb to a 1680m high saddle, enjoying superb vistas over to the rugged limestone peaks of the Grigne mountains, before you descend through lush beech forest, past the source of the river Lambro, to the village of Magreglio. Visit the famous chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists, before we meet you and take you to Bellagio (15 mins), known as the 'Pearl of Como'.

Day 5 - Bellagio circular walk 11km/7mi/4hr

Set off from Bellagio's picturesque water front promenade up a series of stepped trails to the hill top villages of Brogno and Chevrio, where Alpine chalet-style farms with great views into Switzerland sell homemade cheese and honey. A panoramic picnic maybe before returning via Pescallo's charming waterfront to Bellagio. In the afternoon, there's time to visit the famous lake side gardens at Villa Melzi before dinner.

Day 6 - Varenna to Bellano Walk 7km/4.5mi/3.5hr

Ferry (10 mins) to beautiful Varenna, arguably the prettiest of all of Como's villages with its flower bedecked balconies and vibrant botanical gardens. Then follow the age old Sentiero del Viandante as it undulates through terraces of olives and chestnut trees to Bellano, sitting on a picturesque promontory overlooking Lake Como's eastern shores.

Day 7 - San Benedetto Abbey Walk 11m/7mi /5.5hr

Ferry to Lenno (10 mins), then set off along the wonderful Via Crucis, an ancient path of pilgrimage lined with frescoed shrines and neo classical statues en route to the 16th century Madonna del Soccorso Sanctuary. From here continue uphill to the evocative ruins of the 12th century Abbey of St Benedetto, perched high above the Perlana valley. Descend past isolated farms back to Lenno via the Abbey of Acquafredda. Explore the terraced gardens at nearby Villa Balbianello, before returning to Bellagio for your final night.

Day 8: Leave Bellagio