Lake Como & Lake Lugano Map and Itinerary

Code: WITSNIL1

8 Days & 7 Nights

Walking the Northern Italian Lakes

Daily Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive Starting Point: Menaggio
We recommend flying to Milan Malpenssa, which has a good shuttle bus service to Menaggio. Or Orio al Serio is also an option. Once you arrive in Menaggio, settle into your accommodation and then throw yourself into the delights of the area. Stroll along the lakeside promenade to view the beautiful villas and gardens, explore the Romanesque monuments and historical castle through the narrow cobble streets. There is so much to see in this beautiful town.
Overnight: Hotel Bellavista, Menaggio
Located in the centre of Menaggio, directly on the lakeside, enjoying a majestic panorama across the beautiful Lake Como. Website: http://www.hotel-bellavista.org/
Or Upgraded Option

DAY 2 Menaggio to Rezzonico
This first days walking is relatively easy on mostly paved surfaces and level ground. Head along the ‘Antica Strada Regina’ which is an old road built by the Romans. It leads along the west coast of Lake Como with fantastic views across the lake. This road is an important connection between Como and the alpine passes. Return to your Menaggio hotel on the public bus
Walk:7.4 km | 200m Ascent 200m Descent | 3.0 Hrs
Overnight: Menaggio

DAY 3: Menaggio through Val Sanagra Nature Reserve
After breakfast, head to an area with wild beauty, interesting and historical cultural traces. From Menaggio the first stop is Loveno which is an impressive village with stunning villas. Continue on to Pianuro where the trail follows the Sanagra stream, a typical alpine water course. Here, you can see several ancient mills and iron foundries. The streams form impressive gorges which you can admire as you stop for lunch. The walk also passes through Barna, a lovely timeless hamlet famous for its Baroque architecture. This is a circular walk which starts and ends in Menaggio.
Overnight:Menaggio
Walk: 7.4 km | 360m Ascent/Descent 360 | 4.0 Hours

DAY 4 Brunate to Faggeto Lario
This morning you will need to reach the town of Como (either by boat or by bus) and then you take the funicular to Brunate which (on a cloudless day) has spectacular views stretching across to the Alps! The walk climbs the mountain trail through woodlands across to Pian Del Tivano before finally descending to Faggeto Lario. From here you must catch a public bus to Como and then the public boat back to Menaggio. This day is slightly more challenging with some steep climbs in the middle. The terrain is made up of cement roads and ridge paths.
Walk: 10.5km|350m Ascent|670 Descent|4.0hrs
Overnight: Menaggio
DAY 5: Ascent to Monte Grona
This is quite a challenging day with some narrow and steep paths to climb. After breakfast, you catch the bus to the village of Breglia (Line C13) where you can start the climb to the top of Monte Grona. Although the walk does become gentler it is a long climb but hopefully you will be ready for the challenge. This area is extremely wild and inhabited and you may see some rare and amazing birdlife. At the peak you will be rewarded with some the most breath-taking views of the Italian and Swiss Alps.
Walk: 12.0km | 982m Ascent/Descent |6 Hours
Overnight: Menaggio

DAY 6: Transfer to Cavargna and walk to Porlezza
On this morning a private taxi will pick you up at 9am to take you to the start of the walk in Cavargna. Please be ready with your luggage as it will be taken to Porlezza today.
Cavargna is a lovely village set into the mountains were you start your walk to Lake Lugano and Porlezza. Today can be quite challenging and involves a steep climb on the first section. This route will take you up to1550m as you pass by ski chalets, impressive hamlets and the alpine mountain range of ‘Monte Rosa’ can be viewed on this route.
Walk: 13.3km | 500m Ascent| 1280m Descent |5 Hours
Overnight: Hotel Europa, Porlezza
A 3* family run hotel with fantastic views over lake Lugano. Hotel Europa
DAY 7 Day of Rest
This day offers you the chance to relax and explore the local areas. Why not visit the Grotte di Rescia natural caves a few kilometres from the town (these caves became private property many years ago, but today it is still possible to visit them by asking for the keys from the campsite owner located near the caves. Summer opening hours: from 2:30pm to 6:00pm
Or hire bicycles for a cycle through the natural reserve of the Lake Piano. Bikes can be hired from Hotel Europa.

Day 8 Onward Travel
This will be your onward travel day.
<h2>Upgrade</h2> An upgrade of hotel is available in Menaggio for a supplement at the Grand Hotel Victoria, a 4* luxury hotel located on the banks of the Lake.

From: £605.00 Book