Images by Porter Teegarden
Authentic Italian cuisine, lavish villas and romantic lakeside views characterize Lake Como, Italy, but its best-kept secret is the accessible alpine beauty of the dramatic mountains that surround it. Glacially carved over 10,000 years ago and
forming the shape of an upside-down Y, Lake Como’s “Middle Lake” offers exquisite accommodations, genuine cultural and historical perspective and surprisingly remote and beautiful day hikes at the foot of the Alps.
Our lake-centered point-to-point hiking route begins in the southern-most town of Como, and then circumnavigates the spectacular middle of the lake, offering waterfront views by night and incredible scenic vistas by day. Transfers by water ferry allow us to enjoy the tranquility and calm beauty of the Lake, while adventurous day hikes access the ridges and mountain tops that form the stunning backdrop around the lake. From the winding streets and decadent villas of Bellagio, to the Roman footpaths, olive groves, and medieval villages that pepper the landscape; this hike offers a wonderful opportunity to sample old Italy while enjoying views of the Alps most notable mountain ranges and peaks.
Tour Highlights:
- Olive groves, delicious Italian cuisine and magnificent lakeside views.
- Lavish villas and enchanting medieval towns.
- Moderate hiking in a pleasant mediterranean climate.
Itinerary
Day 1 Travel independently by rail to the lake’s southern-most town of Como. Treat yourself to a tranquil lakeside walk and enjoy the relaxing mediterranean breeze. Meet the group, and overnight in an upscale hotel in the center of Como.
Day 2 Today’s warm-up hike begins with a funicular ride to the town of Brunate. We’ll hike northward to Bellagio along gently rambling mule and cart tracks originally built and used by the Romans. Following the “Dorsale Del Triangolo Lariano” trail along the ridgeline, we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the southern part of the eastern leg of Lake Como. Duck back down into the forest to reach a little alpine refuge for a quick lunch and then complete the rest of our day’s hike towards the middle lake by descending through the little hamlet of Faggeto Lario and ending in Lemna. From Lemna, we’ll transfer to the lakeside town of Nesso and on to the posh center of Bellagio and our lakeside hotel.
Day 3 Begin today’s hike with a calm morning ferry ride from Bellagio to the little harbor town of Lenno. Hike through the old village to the medieval road that leads to an eleventh century monastery. Choose a more strenuous day by continuing to the ridge-top Rifugio Bufalora, or begin the descent to the historical town of Ossuchio by descending through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Madonna del Soccorso and Viale delle Cappelle. Transfer to our old world hotel in Lenno.
Day 4 Today's hike to the famous Menaggio begins with an ascent up to the tiny hamlet of Narro, where we’ll join the Grandola Menaggio trail, a trail used frequently by the Italians during WWI. Wind through beech forests and tiny hamlets, enjoying breathtaking vistas as we picnic in a Roman-planted Olive grove high above the Middle Lake. We’ll continue through a hidden WWI tunnel to the magnificent ridgeline descent to our overnight in warm Menaggio.
Day 5 Begin today's hike with a short transfer to the small town of Breglia in the hills above Menaggio. Hike to a fine lunch spot with regional Italian cuisine served with some of the best views of the lake. Return to Menaggio to catch a ferry transfer to Varenna. Overnight in a lovingly restored seventeenth century villa.
Day 6 A short transfer carries us high into the Gigne Range to mountain refuges famous for their handmade goat cheeses. We’ll enjoy a leisurely hike up to Rifugio Bogani for a quiet lunch with views to the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa Massif on a clear day; or we’ll choose a more challenging loop that crosses a ridgeline pass to the Rifugio Brietta. Return to our lavish Villa in Varenna.
Day 7 Depart.
