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Walking holiday: the best of Lake Como
    • Italy - Lake region
    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From April to November
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Trip code : R1103
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About the Walking holiday: the best of Lake Como trip

About the Italy lake region walking stay

Your walking holiday in the Italy lake region:  Lake Como is the pearl of the Italian lakes. The luscious landscape is almost tropical, boasting banana trees, palm trees and fern trees. 

During this Italy walking trip: you will be based in 2 hotels, one in Lenno and the other in Menaggio, offering easy access to Lake Como. You will discover and enjoy panoramic hiking trails through villages, forests and perched chapels along the lake shoreline from Lenno, to Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio. You can admire sumptuous botanical gardens in the famous Villa carlotta, Villa Balbianello and Villa Melzi. Beautiful landscapes in a romantic setting, rich heritage and delicious cuisine, all a magnificent reflection of the Italian way of life!  

Highlights of the trip

  • Panoramic walking paths between the lake and the mountains
  • The famous "must see" villas & gardens : Villa Carlotta, Balbianello, Melzi, Monastero ....
  • Lake boat cruis to teh start of the walk
  • Discover the colourful villages of Bellagio and Varenna on foot
  • 4 nights in Lenno and 3 nights in Menaggio : Pretty villages on Lake Como 
  • La dolce vita including swimming in the lake 



    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Walking holiday, the best of Lake Como: Day By Day

Day 1 - Arrival on Lake Como

Short holidays in Italy lake region

  • You take the boat on your own ( not included) to the picturesque little village of Lenno (1 hour).  Upon arrival, have a stroll through the peaceful village of Lenno. We recommend starting your walking holiday in Italy with a visit of the gardens of the Villa Balbianello, an elegant and romantic XVIII century residence and one of the settings chosen for the the Star Wars and Casino Royal films !
    If you have the time, head to the small pebble beach by the lake and jump in for a swim.
  • Night in Lenno.

  • We recommend : 
    . Having an extra night in Lenno

  • Access: 
    . Flight : Regular flights and low cost airline to Milan : Milano Malpensa Airport (click here ) and Milan Linate Airport (click here )
    . Train : Regular train lines from Milan city / Milan airport > Como city on trenitalia. Access information here  
    . Boat : Regular boat from Como city > Lenno (the station is 10/15 mn walk from the boat). Schedule here 
    . Car rental : you can also rent a car in Milan or Como city. Contact us for the hotel parking information

  • Market on Tuesday, Thursday morning  & Saturday all day in Como city

Day 2 - Panoramic & historic walk "Tremezzina" from Lenno

  • Best time to visit the famous Villa Carlotta in the Italy lake regionWalk - Lenno > Villa carlotta
    2 hours 30 - 5km / 3.0 miles - Ascent: +200 m / Descent: -200 m
  • From Lenno, you climb above the lake and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the mountains.  Your walk takes you through a small medieval village with narrow streets, past churches and chapels on paths lined with olive trees and lush vegetation.  You end this walking day at Villa Carlotta: a "must see villa" on Lake Como ! You can visit the beautiful botanical garden where camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons bloom (April -May).
  • Boat from Villa Carlotta  to Lenno (boat pass) 
  • Night in Lenno
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • Small Market on Tuesday morning in Lenno

Day 3 - Walk to San Benedetto abbey and Madonna del Soccorso

best hikes in italy lago de como

  • Walk - Lenno > San Benedetto Abbey - Madonna del Soccorso +  > Lenno
    4 hours  - 9km / 5.6 miles - Ascent: +600 m / Descent: -600 m
  • A steady climb takes you above Lenno on a panoramic trail that passes through a lush forest. You arrive at the San Benedetto Abbey dating back to the XI century. This magnificent building of Romanesque architechture  is perched at 800m in the heart of the countryside at the confluence of two valleys where the Perlana stream flows.  It's a steep descent, plunging on the other side leading to Osuccio. You arrive at the Madonna del Soccorso sanctuary and the Sacré d'Ossuccio Mount dating back to the XVII century and famous for its 14 chapels and 230 life size statues, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.  You then head back to Lenno via the lake.
  • Night in Lenno
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Panoramic trail from Pigra

self guided walking tours of italy

  • Walk - Pigra > Corniga > Colonno > Lenno
    4 hours  - 9km / 5.6 miles - Ascent: +200 m / Descent: -700 m
  • Boat transfer to Argegno. 
  • In Argegno, you take the cable car that climbs up to Pigra at 800m : guaranteed panoramic views over the lake and surrounding mountains.  You continue walking on an old mule path overlooking the lake descending through chestnut trees, beech trees and pastures via Corniga, and with a beautiful descent to Colonno. You rejoin the lake shoreline walking path at Oscussio and follow the lake all the way back to Lenno. (A great swimming opportunity opposite Comacino island)
  • Night in Lenno
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Walking around Bellagio: the pearl of Lake Como

Walking day during a self guided tour in Lake Como

  • Walk - Bellagio loop
    4 hours - 8km / 4.9 miles - Ascent: +300 m / Descent: -300 m
  • Tonight, you move to the charming village of Menaggio. Enjoy your walking day whilst we take care of your bag transfer.
  • Boat transfer from Lenno to Bellagio (35 minutes). 
  • The start of your walk is in the village of Bellagio, one of the prettiest Italian villages, affectionately known as the "pearl of the lake" with its narrow streets lined with flowers, its church and cafés. You pass through the picturesque village of Pescallo and walk through the Villa Giulia park and then climb up to Perlo. Return to Bellagio via the Villa Melzi gardens that greatly inspired Stendhal, Flaubert and Wagner : a wonderful example of an English garden with trees and flowers from around the world. 
    . Option : You can enjoy a guided tour of the Villa Serbelloni gardens: a former palace of the last century belonging to the Rockfeller foundation, where Léonard de Vinci and Reine Victoria stayed. The visit of the gardens leads to the top of the promontory, revealing very beautiful views of the three arms of Lake Como (depart from Bellagio tourist office)
  • Boat transfer from Bellagio to Menaggio (35 minutes)
  • Night in Menaggio
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • All day Market on the third Wednesday of the month in Bellagio
  • Morning market the second and the fourth Friday of the month in Mennagio

Day 6 - Panoramic walking trails: the colourful village of Varenna

Dinner in Varenna, in Lake Como during the best independent tours of italy

  • Walk - Bellano > Varenna
    3 hours 30 - 7km / 4.3 miles - Ascent: +300 m / Descent: -300 m
  • Boat transfer  to Bellano (1 hour).
  • Your walking tour continues on one of the oldest walking paths of the lake. The "sentiero del viandante" was traced by the Roman legionaries who reached the great passes of the Alps. It's a gentle climb past the "Orrido di Bellano" where a visit is possible and past natural gorges. The path then offers panoramic views, passing through the village of Gittana and the Vézio castle dating back to the XII century. You end the walk in the pretty village of Varenna known for its colourful hillside houses.  In Veranna you must visit the Villa Monastero gardens : the villa is surrounded by a botanical garden home to  rhododendrons, glycines, magnolias and citrus fruit trees.  For the horticultural enthousiasts you can also visit the Villa Cipressi, dating back to the Renaissance era. 
  • Boat transfer from Varenna to Menaggio (45 minutes)
  • Night in Menaggio
  • MEALS included:  Breakfast

  • Market on Thursday morning in Bellano
  • Market on Saturday morning in Varenna
  • Morning market the second and the fourth Friday of the month  in Mennagio

Day 7 - Hiking on the "Antica Strada Regina"

best walk in italy lake como

  • Walk - Menaggio > Antica Strada > Rezzonico 
    3 hours - 8km / 4.5 miles - Ascent: +250 m / Descent: -250 m
  • Today you walk along the "Antica Strada Regina”, dating back to the roman era. Depart from Menaggio following the lake towards Nobiallo, a picture postcard fishing village. You continue along the "Antica Strada Regina" via the XVII century baroque sanctuary "Madonna della Pace" and climb up the "Sasso Rancio" : beautiful panoramic views overlooking the lake. You follow an old mule path through forests and the small villages of Acquaseria, Molvedo and Mastena.  The path descends to Rezzonico from where you can admire the XIV century castle, one of the rare, well preserved ruins around the lake. 
  • Return by local bus ( not included ) 
  • Night in Menaggio
  • MEALS included:  Breakfast

  • Morning market the second and the fourth Friday of the month  in Mennagio

Day 8 - End of your self guided walking tour in Italy

  • lake como italy boat toursEnd of your trip in Menaggio, after breakfast
  • MEALS included:  Breakfast

  • Market on Thursday morning  in Como city

  • We recommend :
    . Having an extra night in Como city and enjoying the great lively atmosphere of Como and continuing your exploration of the Italy lake region ! (Great market on Thursday morning)

  • Return: 
    . Train : Regular train lines from Como city to Milan city/ Milan airport on trenitalia. Access information here  
    . Flight : Regular flights and low cost airline from Milano Malpensa Airport (click here ) and Milan Linate Airport (click here )

- Give you a treat and stay extra nights in Brunate - Como !

best walk in italy on lake como

  • Give yourself a treat and stay 1 or 2 extra nights in the perched hamlet of Brunate ! 
    . Located at 750m above sea level, high above Lake Como at the summit of the historic cable car, Brunate boasts spectacular views over the lake. This charming hamlet  is a maze of small alleyways and stairs, famous for its beautiful baroque church, magnificent "Art Nouveau" style villas and the Volta lighthouse with its sprial staircase. By staying the night, you can really appreciate Brunate once the crowds have left. The amazing sunset over the lake is yours to enjoy! The following day, you go against the crowd and take the cable car down and exlore Lake Como while the rest of the tourists head up from the lake to explore Brunate!
    . Extra walk : Loop walk from Brunate to the Volta lighthouse, famous for its spiral staircase and 143 steps. Along the way, you can admire the magnificent "Art Nouveau" style villas : A unique experience ! 
  • Comfort to Charming accommodation in Brunate
  • Contact us 

- Continue your trip onwards to Lake maggiore and Lake Orta !

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      • Italy - Lake region
      • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From April to November

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming

    • Highlights of the trip

    • Panoramic walking paths between the lake and the mountains
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    • Lake boat cruis to teh start of the walk
    • Discover the colourful villages of Bellagio and Varenna on foot
    • 4 nights in Lenno and 3 nights in Menaggio : Pretty villages on Lake Como 
    • La dolce vita including swimming in the lake 



      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 920 € / pers
    Trip details
    Walking holiday: the best of Lake Como
        • Italy - Lake region
        • 2 adults (2x920€)
        • 0 children (0x920€)
      • 8 days
      • Simple
    Total 1840€
    Deposit 600€
    Book now !