Lake Como’s beautiful walks

Many who come to our beloved lake wonder where they can take a nice walk, enjoying the most suggestive and Instagrammable views.

The answer could be anywhere, but we have compiled a list of ​​beautiful walks that you absolutely must not miss.

Whether they are on the lakeside or uphill, you will understand that Lake Como offers plenty of panoramic points where you can take memorable walks alone, with family, and with friends.

The warm season is upon us, so it is time to plan walking itineraries for your holidays!

Let’s start from the first landing point; after a long or short journey, you will arrive in the city of Como.

Did you know that you could reach Cernobbio on foot by walking along the Como lakeside in a north-west direction?

Yes, and this is one of the walks we recommend the most.

The view of the villas along the route, the tireless boats plowing the lake’s waters, and the nature all around will immerse you in a fairy tale.

From the park of the Tempio Voltiano in Como, you can take a pleasant walk along the lakeside until you reach the gardens of the majestic Villa Olmo. From here, after crossing the Ponte del Chilometro, the “Chilometro della Conoscenza” begins: a panoramic pedestrian route that connects the three splendid villas of Como: Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota through the paths in their respective parks dotted with greenhouses, chapels, lemon groves, contemporary works of art and botanical rarities.

If you want, you can continue along the sidewalk. After passing Villa Erba, you will arrive in the center of Cernobbio in less than two kilometers.

The Greenway of Lake Como is an easy pedestrian path about 10 km long that passes through the municipalities of Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo, and Griante. It passes partly just above the towns and partly along the lake, sometimes following the ancient Via Regina.

The itinerary is suitable for everyone and allows you to enjoy beautiful views of the lake, the villages, and the gardens. You can complete the entire itinerary in about three and a half hours or choose to do just a few stages.

From Breglia, a small village above Menaggio, the itinerary that will take you to the Menaggio Refuge begins.

The route, initially on an asphalt road that then turns into a path, is always well-marked. For the first 30 minutes, it climbs through the woods until it reaches the Monti di Breglia. It continues through the rich vegetation of birch trees, then comes out of the woods and sees Monte Grona with the refuge at its foot.

In the last stretch, you will admire the panorama of Lake Como, which is divided into two branches, and you will thus reach the Menaggio Refuge at 1380 meters above sea level.

Undoubtedly the king of every path! A route that, from the beginning of Lecco, goes up the lake leading to the province of Sondrio. In total, almost 50 kilometres of continuous ups and downs along the shores of the Lario, in a setting that offers breathtaking views of the lake and the mountains.

Ideal for trekking lovers: it is possible to travel individual sections at your leisure, taking advantage of the nearby railway connections along the municipalities of the coast. Those who want to travel it in its entirety (about 20 hours) can divide it into four or five stages.

The attractions along the Viandante are countless, including natural beauty, architectural heritage, noble villas, and characteristic villages. Its excellent exposure to the sun makes it passable in every season of the year.

In recent years, the success of the Viandante has been unstoppable: thousands of hikers come to our territory specifically to travel this path that has its roots in past centuries and has recently seen the rebirth of the first section between Lecco and Abbadia.

At the tip of the lake between the Como and Lecco branches stands Bellagio, one of the most well-known and appreciated villages also by international tourists.

After a pleasant stroll through its streets, you can continue the walk from the Town Hall following a staircase that, in 15 minutes, will take you to Pescallo, a fishing village, the first hamlet of the itinerary. You continue along the road, where you will encounter Villas and lush private gardens until you reach the hamlet of Regatola; you continue towards the hamlet of Guggiate, where you can see on the hill, with the lake behind you the Mausoleum built by the architect Balzaretto.

A walk that will remain in your heart.

Varenna can be easily reached by train, and from its station, the penultimate walk that we propose begins.

You will arrive on the lake shore in a few minutes, and once you pass the pier, a truly spectacular and iconic pedestrian path will begin.

Continuing, you arrive in the village of Varenna, where you will find inviting restaurants and artisan shops. Once you have crossed the village, just before the wonderful Villa Monastero, which is worth a visit, you will find Villa Cipressi, which boasts an enchanting Botanical Garden close to the lake. The walk does not require much time, but we are sure it will take you a while to complete it because it is impossible not to stop to admire every corner of this village.

With its beautiful historic center directly on the lake shore, Menaggio offers a walk along the lakeside and inside the town, from which you can reach our Hotel Loveno directly on foot. From here, steep alleys start that climb up the first hills and offer a view of the historic center and the lake.

Worth noting is the Stele of the Weaver, a 10-meter stele in white Carrara marble that was placed here in 1990. The monument was commissioned by the Mantero family, which had a prestigious silk factory on the banks of the Sanagra River.

The weaver is reproduced, in negative, in the highest part of the marble stele. Her work is also well represented by the bronze part that recreates a silk work on which the weaver is embroidered. In this way, two columns come to life and join on the ground through the shape of a drapery.

Stop for a coffee in Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, a rather lively square, especially during summer, thanks to its restaurants and bars that continuously welcome tourists.

It is decorated with stately buildings and headed by a large fountain with a dodecagonal base.

This square also serves as the backdrop to the city’s frequent events, such as markets, shows, and small concerts.

Walking along the uphill road, you will also notice ancient walls. Menaggio was equipped with a castle in medieval times. The structure was built in the 10th century. Unfortunately, only the perimeter walls remain of this building, which rises alongside the uphill road in the direction of the church of San Carlo and Loveno. Our hotel is located in this hamlet. The road is called via Castellino da Castello in memory of the presence of the building, then dismantled in 1523 by the lords of the Grey Leagues.

Finally, we arrive in Loveno. Loveno is the hamlet of Menaggio that dominates the historic center. It is a small village within a village, with extremely compact dimensions and a very well-kept center. Walking around is very nice, also thanks to the majestic historic villas that, during the nineteenth century, hosted artists and international personalities.

Contact us to discover more info@hotelloveno.com.