Lake Como Trails

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.8 Read 9 reviews

Lakeside walks around elegant Lake Como and mountain walks in the Intelvi Valley
Riding ferries between pastel-hued villages
Chic Bellagio’s stylish promenade; people-watching with a chilled spritzer cocktail
The the immaculate gardens of Villas Carlotta & Balbianello
Panoramic views from your agriturismo farmstay

Experience elegant Lake Como on a week-long walking trip, with panoramic mountain paths and lakeside strolls between romantic villages. Wander along Bellagio’s chic promenade and visit the exquisite Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello with their immaculate gardens. One of the joys of walking around Lake Como is the excuse to indulge in Lombardy’s larder—savour such treats as soft goats cheese drizzled in local honey, and grilled freshwater fish from the lake. Thanks to some rewarding walks by day, you’ll have earnt it!

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

At Lake Como walkers can have their ’torta’ and eat it — enjoying moderate graded walks, staying in authentic family-run hotels and a traditional ’agriturismo’ farmstay in the mountains of the Intelvi valley. Explore the elegant villages, towns and waterfront promenades that epitomise the uber-stylish Lake Como.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie
Wine

Activity Level & Terrain

This trip is graded ‘moderate’ overall, as the walks are generally around 10-15km but with some steeper sections (especially as you climb up from the lake), many you can shorten or skip, and up to 920m of ascent and 1060m of descent. The footpaths and tracks are not technically difficult. Paths consist of footpaths, greenways, ancient mule trails and some minor quiet roads. Should you wish to skip a walk between towns then (with prior notice) you can travel in the taxi (luggage transfer).

Navigation

The route is not waymarked (with the exception of some sections where you will be walking on official trails and the Greenway). We supply detailed 1:50 000 Kompass maps and route notes so you will have no problem finding your way.

Accommodations

Overnights in hand-picked accommodations is included in your trip, with the majority being in small family-run authentic hotels that are ideal for walkers (of a 3-star standard).

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is available to solo walkers and a supplement is payable as some of the costs (such as transfers) are not shared. Single rooms are on request and a supplement is payable.

Meals

The lovingly prepared cuisine of the Italian Lakes and wine from Lombardy is a highlight of this trip. In order to keep things flexible, dinners and lunches are not included, as you will be spoilt for choice! Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival.

Included

Overnights in carefully selected accommodations
Breakfast included
Baggage transfer
Taxi transfers as per itinerary
Information Pack
Access to maps, GPX tracks and route notes in the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24-7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Cernobbia and from Menaggio
Entrance fees (eg. Villa Carlotta)
Public transport (eg. buses and ferries)
Local hotel tax (up to EUR2 per person per night)
Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Transfers from Milan or Como

When To Go

You can start this walking tour anytime between April and mid-October. Lake Como is very popular so it’s best to book as far in advance as you are able to. Please bear in mind that July and August can be hot for walking, however there is often an afternoon breeze.

Getting to the Start

We recommend flying to Milan, which is the closest international airport and then you can catch a train from the city centre to the town of Como (approx. 1 hr). Most trains or buses to Como are via Milan. From Como you can either catch a ferry (15 mins) or bus (30 mins) to Cernobbio, or we can provide a transfer at a supplement.

Train timetables are available at Trenitalia; www.trenitalia.com

Getting from the End

To get back to Milan from Menaggio you can either take the ferry back to Como and then a train onwards to Milan. Or you can also take a ferry to Varenna on the east side of the lake and then catch the train from there to Milan (approx. 1 hr). All information on timetables for ferries is here or for trains is here.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight stay. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

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

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How far in advance do I need to book?

What personal equipment do I need?

When is the best time of year?

What happens if I don't want to walk?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Cernobbio Day 2 Transfer to Monte Bisbino and walk to Marnico/Posa 6 miles / 9 km Day 3 Intelvi Valley walk 7 miles / 12 km Day 4 Transfer to Argegno, cable car to Pigra, and walk to Cadenabbia 9 miles / 15 km

Set off and take a scenic cable car from Argegno to Pigra, the start of today's walk. Follow shady forest trails through an abandoned village and down to the lakeshore at Colonno. Here you join the waterside Greenway path. Take a short detour (walk or water taxi, dependent on the day of the week) to Villa del Balbianello, with its immaculate gardens. This spot has cinematic pedigree thanks to the James Bond film ’Casino Royale’ and is one of Como’s most dramatic locations. Take an optional guided tour to see the villa itself. Continue to Cadenabbia, where you will spend the next two nights. You have the option of taking a local bus to shorten the walk today if you wish.

Please note that due to limited suitable accommodation option in Cadenabbia, it may be necessary to stay in neighbouring Tremezzo,which is still on the shores of the lake. If this is the case then it will be necessary to take a short bus journey (around 6 minutes) from the end of todays walk in Cadenabbia to Tremezzo.

Please Note: the cable car from Argegno to Pigra is currently not operating (as of April 2023) and we are unsure as to when it will be back in action. Not to worry though, if this is the case when you are due to be departing we will arrange for your transfer to take you to the start of the walk in Pigra instead of dropping you at the Argegno cable car base (additional supplement applies for the longer transfer). Your walking route will therefore be unchanged.

Overnight Cadenabbia

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Alberghetto La Marianna | Hotel

Your host at 8-bedroom La Marianna is keen walker Paola. Enjoy the peaceful lakeside terrace with views of Bellagio, and a slice of Paola's home-made cake. There is a restaurant 'La Cucina della Marianna' on the ground floor, where chef Ty uses only seasonal and locally-grown produce in his regional recipes. As this property is located on the main road, we usually request quieter rooms at the back (subject to availability), however if you would prefer to have a view of the lake, please let us know and we can request this (again, subject to availability).

Hotel Villa Mirabella | Hotel

Hotel Villa Mirabella is a prestigious 19^th century villa, restored and opened as a hotel in 2010. There are 11 simply furnished rooms, some with original period pieces and most have balconies with lovely views of the lake and the beautiful garden. There is a restaurant serving traditional Italian dishes using seasonal produce. Guests enjoy free WiFi. There is a pool and beautiful gardens. City tax of 1EUR is payable locally. Check-in: from 2.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Hotel Bazzoni | Hotel

Hotel Bazzoni is located on Lake Como, on the main street of Tremezzo, coined as one of the most beautiful Borghi (small villages) in Italy. It is situated a few steps from the ferry and bus stop. The hotel offers an outdoor swiming pool, and a jacuzzi, a cocktail bar and a beautiful terrace with views of the lake. There is free WiFi available in the hotel's common areas and in all bedrooms, alongside offering en suite bathrooms, air conditioning and satelite TV.

Day 5 San Martino Chapel walk or visit Villa Carlotta or Bellagio 4 miles / 6 km

Visit the pretty little church and sanctuary of San Martino on a short loop walk from Cadenabbia. The chapel is perched 450m above the lake and clings to a sheer cliff face, and the paved path leading up to the church is lined with shrines. Pause to take in the far-reaching panorama and enjoy the tranquillity.

From Cadenabbia you can hop on a ferry across to impossibly chic Bellagio, take a stroll along the stylish promenade, then sit and watch the world go by from a shady café terrace.

Another must-see is 17th century Villa Carlotta, just a short walk southwest from Cadenabbia. Admire the botanic gardens, filled with pergolas and lush planting.

Please note that if you are staying in Tremezzo it will be necessary to take a short bus journey (around 6 minutes) to/from Cadenabbia at the start and end of today's walk.

Overnight Cadenabbia

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Alberghetto La Marianna | Hotel

Hotel Villa Mirabella | Hotel

Hotel Bazzoni | Hotel