The Wayfarer's Path, Other Side of Lake Como

On arrival at the lakeside town of Lecco on the shores of Lake Como, make your way to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the town and take in the views of the rugged mountains across the lake. If you are lucky you might have the chance to see the swans on the lakefront. During the following days, take time to explore the small towns, viewpoints, forests and castles.

In the morning a short train ride will take you to the start of the walk in Abbadia Lariana. Abbadia Lariana is a fabulous place to stop for refreshing swim before starting your walk towards Lierna. Today you walk mostly on a well-maintained mule track and footpath on the right side of the Lake up and down the shore. It is worth a visit to the Church of San Giorgio in Mandello, a precious jewel of Romanesque art with frescoes from the late fifteenth century. Remember to have your camera loaded as there are many panoramic viewpoints over the Lake. It is possible to walk the whole section from Lecco adding approx. 8km to the walk, this first section runs mostly on beaten trails in the wood just above the lake. The walk is not very panoramic but it is easy and mostly flat. At the end of the walk take the train back to Lecco.

Distance: 11 or 19 km km

Elevation gain: +748/-700 m

Today’s walk is the most demanding in terms of difference in height. The itinerary starts climbing on mule-track which later becomes path mostly in the wood. Be very careful when the terrain is wet and slippery. Along the route we suggest you to stop for a pic-nic lunch by a breath-taking viewpoint overlooking Bellagio and Lake Como. Just before descending to Varenna, make a short detour to visit the castle in Vezio village. It’s worth it! You can enjoy a 180-degree view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The Vezio Castle has stood for more than a thousand years. It is an ancient military outpost of early medieval origin built by the Lombard Queen Theodelinda to defend and control the lake and surrounding villages. Today’s destination is Varenna, a jewel full of history and unique character.

Distance: 9,5 km

Elevation gain: +850/-866 m

Start the day with an easy lake side warming-up walk. After breakfast say goodbye to Varenna following the East side of the lake take the “Sentiero del Viandante” (the Wayfarer’s path) and experience a rich and ancient cultural landscape with traditional architecture and outstanding views of Lake Como and its surrounding mountains. Halfway through the walk we suggest you a visit to the “Orrido di Bellano”. This is a natural gorge created by the Pioverna river that has cut out gigantic potholes and fascinating caverns over the centuries. Its dark ravines and the hollow rumble of gushing water have inspired many authors and made this one of the most popular tourist attractions on lake Como. The Cà del Diavol (Devil's House) evokes fear and the idea of satanic rituals, capturing all the mysterious charm of this place. The itinerary then follows a well beaten mule track to Dervio. You then take a train to Colico.

Distance: 10 km

Elevation gain: +575/-560 m

The last section of the walk is the most beautiful in terms of panoramic views. You will have many chances to stop for pic-nic enjoying the atmosphere. From Dervio the path climbs up the mountain on a steep cobblestone stair and then descend gradually towards Colico. Almost halfway through the walk you will be able to see the snowy peak of the Alps appearing in front of you. In Colico you have the chance to go for a refreshing swim at the beach in the middle of the town. If you arrive early we suggest you to visit the The abbey of Piona, or more precisely, the Priory of Piona, a typical building of Comacina art in exposed squared stone, which can also be reached from the lake by boat, is a rare jewel of Lombard Romanesque architecture. Located on the Olgiasca peninsula, in front of Gravedona on the extreme tip of the Lecco branch, it offers a splendid panoramic view of the western coast of the Lario, as well as the opportunity to savor the tranquility and peace enjoyed by the Cistercian monks who still live there today.

Distance: 13 km

Elevation gain: +658/-674 m

The trip and our services end after breakfast and you bid farewell to the beautiful lakes as you depart for the airport with public transport, unless you have pre-booked a private transfer with us

For our trips, we always choose accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be provided, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation included in the trip you are interested in.  

We place great importance on the choice of accommodations and select hotels with care and attention. We understand how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We always prefer cozy and characteristic establishments, preferably family-run, that fully embody the spirit of the place and offer hospitality with courtesy and comfort.  

Where, due to the nature of the route, accommodation options are limited, we choose the one that best aligns with our standards.

The Sentiero del Viandante great trip for beginners as well as experienced hikers, this trip allows you to discover the lesser known, East side of Como Lake. As you walk, you'll enjoy continuous, great views on the lake and Mountains surrounding the lake. Vertigo-sufferers may find some sections a bit challenging. The stages are all connected through a railway line, so it's easy to skip one of you'd like to enjoy a rest day.