Lake Como & Lake Lugano

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

Centrally located in the centre of Menaggio, right on the lakeside with a stunning panorama of 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 (Line C10)

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.

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 

Day 5 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.

Upgrade

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.

Accommodation

We specifically choose our hotels for comfort, location and real authenticity. All are owner operated three star hotels with ensuite rooms that offer a genuinely warm Italian welcome.  In Menaggio you will stay at  Hotel Bellavista, centrally located and full of charm and in Porlezza you will stay at the Hotel Europa a 3star family run hotel.  You can choose the Grand Hotel Victoria in Menaggio if you would like to upgrade.

Accommodation Details

We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed, but because of limited availability we may have to accommodate you at an alternative location of the same or better standard. Alternative details will be noted on your accommodation sheet.

Lakeside Views

Views over the lakes can be requested but never guaranteed (a supplement may be required). 

Single Rooms

Single rooms are available but attract a supplement.

Solo Walkers

This is a great holiday for solo walkers. If you are travelling solo the holiday is slightly more expensive as some costs are not shared.

Meals

The delicious Italian food and wine available locally is undoubtedly a highlight of this holiday. The price of your holiday includes breakfast each morning.

Baggage Transfer

When required your bags will be transferred from your hotel and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, waterproofs, comfortable walking clothes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Walking Grade

This holiday is graded easy to moderate because most of the walks are relatively short and on flat paths.  However some walks follow steep narrow paths and some parts are off the beaten track.

Navigation

You will be following way marked trails for many of your walks and we supply very detailed route notes and maps so navigation is generally easy. Heavy rains and fires do sometimes close sections of trail, despite the wardens best efforts. Check with the local tourist office if unsure.

Getting to Menaggio

We recommend flying to Milan or Orio al Serio airports you can either fly to Milan Malpensa or Milan Linate. From Milan Malpensa you can catch a direct shuttle bus to Menaggio and from Mila Linate it will be a mixture of buses and trains.  From both airports you can take transport via Lugano, Como or Varenna. 

Total travel time on this option is approx 1-3hrs (depending on which route you take)

If you are arriving into Bergamo Orio al Serio airport you can catch a bus to Como.S.Giovanni train station and then a train direct to Menaggio.

Total Travel Time on this option is approx. 1hr 10mins.

We are often asked the following questions and I hope that you will find the answers useful. Don't hesitate to contact one of our Italy specialists if you have any further queries.

How fit do I need to be?

This walking holiday is graded easy to moderate and involves between three and seven hours of walking each day. Some of the paths are very steep so you should be in pretty good shape to get the most from this holiday. 

All of the walks can be shortened by using public transport and all walks are optional so you can always take a day or two off if you wish.  

When is the best time of year?

 April, May and June are absolutely lovely and the wild flowers are at their best. September & October are also lovely with a cooler climate. 

July and August can be very hot so you will have to start early to miss the heat of the day, although the towns and villages are buzzing which is great.

How far in advance do I need to book?

We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this area is extremely popular. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans so just ask.

What personal equipment do I need?

You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc.

Can i get a room with a view of the Lake?

A room with a lakeview can be requested at the time of booking however this can never be guranteed and is subject to availability. In some instances a supplement may be required.

Which is the best airport?

Milan is the best airport to fly into, either Milan Linate or Milan Malpensa.  You can also fly into Orio al Serio.  We would suggest Milan Malpensa as the connections to Menaggio are more straight forward.

This walking holiday is available from April to October. You can start your holiday on any date in the season. To make a provisional reservation select "Book" for the itinerary you are interested in.

The price does increase in high season (Easter & May - September). 

Option prices will be displayed as part of the booking process.

Because every holiday we book is bespoke, availability changes from day to day and our booking process works as follows:

• You provisionally book the tour you are interested in for your preferred dates and pay a 20% deposit online or by phone.
• We confirm availability and book all your accommodation and options and send final confirmation as soon as everything is confirmed (max 5 working days).
• If we are unable to accommodate you on your confirmed dates/tour or an alternative of your choice your deposit is fully refunded.