Italy : Lombardy

Walking at Lake Como

Trip code: W07CM 3.5 (2 reviews)

Self-guided walking

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 2
Moderate

14.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

SUMMARY

  • Stunning, crystal blue Lake Como with its dramatic backdrop of forest clad, snow capped mountains
  • The colourful lakeside villages of Torno, Varenna and Bellagio, 'Pearl of Como'
  • Historic villas, immaculate gardens, ancient abbeys, sleepy mountain villages
  • Ancient pilgrims' and muleteers' trails, stepped terraces of olives, vibrant cherry trees
  • Bustling Como: medieval town walls, impressive Duomo and gorgeous lake front promenade

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • All continental breakfasts
  • Briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Walk transfers on day 4

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Picture perfect Lake Como - one of the deepest in Europe - is set in the foothills of the Italian Alps. Its glitzy Hollywood reputation precedes it, but few people realise the striking contrasts a visit here can offer. Beyond exquisite villas, colourful villages and landscaped gardens gracing the shore, walkers can find hidden sanctuaries, remote 12th century abbeys and breathtaking viewpoints linked by centuries old pilgrim paths and muleteers' tracks. Stone built mountain villages set high in wild terraced valleys boast stunning vistas of sky-scraping high mountain ranges, like the Alpine peak of La Grigne (2400m), usually snow-capped well into spring.

This twin centre, self guided walking holiday captures both the glamour and majestic beauty of Lake Como perfectly. In Como, your *** family run hotel in the heart of Como town is home for the first three nights, whilst for your four nights in Bellagio, your liberty style hotel sits on the town's pretty promenade overlooking the lake. Using the frequent and easy to use ferry services, we take you to Como's eastern and western shores to access our varied and rewarding walks which showcase the very best of Lake Como.

Terrain

The walks are on mountain paths and lakeside tracks, many with a large number of steps and cobbles. All walks involve steep ascents and/or descents, and traverse steep hillsides. Walkers should be confident and relatively fit. Walking boots and poles are strongly recommended.

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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1 - Arrive in Como

Arrive in Como. Your hotel is ideally located in central Como, within easy reach of an excellent choice of restaurants, shops and bars. Como's railway station, marina and Old Town, with its white marble Duomo and medieval town walls, are all a short walk away.

You stay at Hotel Borgo Antico.

hotel details



Hotel Borgo Antico, Como

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
Visa
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Aircon
Safe


The cosy, family run Hotel Borgo Antico is located in a quiet street in central Como, within easy reach of the town's centro storico and the lake's marina, with a wide choice of bars and restaurants in the surrounding streets. Rooms are prettily decorated with air-conditioning and safe, as well as ensuite facilities.



Please note that availability for accommodations on Lake Como can be very tight. When we are unable to secure availability at the Hotel Borgo Antico, an alternative accommodation will be offered, which may be subject to a supplement.

Day 2 - Brunate to Torno Walk 8km/5mi/4hr

Take the funicular up to the tiny hilltop village of Brunate, 700m above Como town, for incredible views over Como lake, town and the surrounding mountains. Then make your way across the hillside through birch forest and past tumbling streams to the narrow, cobbled streets of lakeside Torno. Ferry (20 mins) or public bus back to Como.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Excelsior Splendid.

hotel details



Hotel Excelsior Splendid, Bellagio

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
TV
Aircon
Safe


The Hotel Excelsior Splendid panoramically sits on Bellagio's pretty promenade, gazing out over Lake Como. The hotel is in a converted Art Nouveau building and comes with an impressive entrance hall, with sweeping staircase. There's also a pizzeria, bar lounge and restaurant that overlooks the lake. The hotel also benefits from a swimming pool with gardens to the rear.



Please note that availability for accommodations on Lake Como can be very tight. When we are unable to secure availability at the Hotel Excelsior Splendid, an alternative accommodation will be offered, which may be subject to a supplement.

Room upgrades: Lake view room


Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 3 - Monte Piatto Walk 10km/6.5mi/4.5hr

Ferry to Torno. From Torno's winding alleyways, head uphill along an ancient mule track past colourful peach terraces, glittering waterfalls and ancient stone carved tombs for a glorious lake panorama. A stepped trail up to a shaded mossy valley brings you to Monte Piatto village, perched high above the water. A steep descent under wild cherry trees takes you back to Torno. Ferry to Como.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Excelsior Splendid.

hotel details



Hotel Excelsior Splendid, Bellagio

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
TV
Aircon
Safe


The Hotel Excelsior Splendid panoramically sits on Bellagio's pretty promenade, gazing out over Lake Como. The hotel is in a converted Art Nouveau building and comes with an impressive entrance hall, with sweeping staircase. There's also a pizzeria, bar lounge and restaurant that overlooks the lake. The hotel also benefits from a swimming pool with gardens to the rear.



Please note that availability for accommodations on Lake Como can be very tight. When we are unable to secure availability at the Hotel Excelsior Splendid, an alternative accommodation will be offered, which may be subject to a supplement.

Room upgrades: Lake view room


Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 4 - Como/Monte San Primo to Magreglio/Bellagio 7km/4.5mi/5hr

Private transfer (1hr) up to 1000m on Monte San Primo. Climb to a 1680m high saddle, enjoying superb vistas over to the rugged limestone peaks of the Grigne mountains, before you descend through lush beech forest, past the source of the river Lambro, to the village of Magreglio. Visit the famous chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists, before we meet you and take you to Bellagio (15 mins), known as the 'Pearl of Como'.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Excelsior Splendid.

hotel details



Hotel Excelsior Splendid, Bellagio

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
TV
Aircon
Safe


The Hotel Excelsior Splendid panoramically sits on Bellagio's pretty promenade, gazing out over Lake Como. The hotel is in a converted Art Nouveau building and comes with an impressive entrance hall, with sweeping staircase. There's also a pizzeria, bar lounge and restaurant that overlooks the lake. The hotel also benefits from a swimming pool with gardens to the rear.



Please note that availability for accommodations on Lake Como can be very tight. When we are unable to secure availability at the Hotel Excelsior Splendid, an alternative accommodation will be offered, which may be subject to a supplement.

Room upgrades: Lake view room


Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 5 - Bellagio circular walk 11km/7mi/4hr

Set off from Bellagio's picturesque water front promenade up a series of stepped trails to the hill top villages of Brogno and Chevrio, where Alpine chalet-style farms with great views into Switzerland sell homemade cheese and honey. A panoramic picnic maybe before returning via Pescallo's charming waterfront to Bellagio. In the afternoon, there's time to visit the famous lake side gardens at Villa Melzi before dinner.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Excelsior Splendid.

hotel details



Hotel Excelsior Splendid, Bellagio

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
TV
Aircon
Safe


The Hotel Excelsior Splendid panoramically sits on Bellagio's pretty promenade, gazing out over Lake Como. The hotel is in a converted Art Nouveau building and comes with an impressive entrance hall, with sweeping staircase. There's also a pizzeria, bar lounge and restaurant that overlooks the lake. The hotel also benefits from a swimming pool with gardens to the rear.



Please note that availability for accommodations on Lake Como can be very tight. When we are unable to secure availability at the Hotel Excelsior Splendid, an alternative accommodation will be offered, which may be subject to a supplement.

Room upgrades: Lake view room


Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 6 - Varenna to Bellano Walk 7km/4.5mi/3.5hr

Ferry (10 mins) to beautiful Varenna, arguably the prettiest of all of Como's villages with its flower bedecked balconies and vibrant botanical gardens. Then follow the age old Sentiero del Viandante as it undulates through terraces of olives and chestnut trees to Bellano, sitting on a picturesque promontory overlooking Lake Como's eastern shores.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Excelsior Splendid.

hotel details



Hotel Excelsior Splendid, Bellagio

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
TV
Aircon
Safe


The Hotel Excelsior Splendid panoramically sits on Bellagio's pretty promenade, gazing out over Lake Como. The hotel is in a converted Art Nouveau building and comes with an impressive entrance hall, with sweeping staircase. There's also a pizzeria, bar lounge and restaurant that overlooks the lake. The hotel also benefits from a swimming pool with gardens to the rear.



Please note that availability for accommodations on Lake Como can be very tight. When we are unable to secure availability at the Hotel Excelsior Splendid, an alternative accommodation will be offered, which may be subject to a supplement.

Room upgrades: Lake view room


Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 7 - San Benedetto Abbey Walk 11m/7mi /5.5hr

Ferry to Lenno (10 mins), then set off along the wonderful Via Crucis, an ancient path of pilgrimage lined with frescoed shrines and neo classical statues en route to the 16th century Madonna del Soccorso Sanctuary. From here continue uphill to the evocative ruins of the 12th century Abbey of St Benedetto, perched high above the Perlana valley. Descend past isolated farms back to Lenno via the Abbey of Acquafredda. Explore the terraced gardens at nearby Villa Balbianello, before returning to Bellagio for your final night.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Excelsior Splendid.

hotel details



Hotel Excelsior Splendid, Bellagio

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
TV
Aircon
Safe


The Hotel Excelsior Splendid panoramically sits on Bellagio's pretty promenade, gazing out over Lake Como. The hotel is in a converted Art Nouveau building and comes with an impressive entrance hall, with sweeping staircase. There's also a pizzeria, bar lounge and restaurant that overlooks the lake. The hotel also benefits from a swimming pool with gardens to the rear.



Please note that availability for accommodations on Lake Como can be very tight. When we are unable to secure availability at the Hotel Excelsior Splendid, an alternative accommodation will be offered, which may be subject to a supplement.

Room upgrades: Lake view room


Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 8: Leave Bellagio

You stay at Hotel Excelsior Splendid.

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE DATE

We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.

Please contact our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.

REVIEWS

Well organised and supported trip. Good response and resolution when an issue arose. Walks were varied and interesting and navigation app worked really well.

SMITH, 3 Jun 2023

 

Lovely area, challanging walks for seniors

DEER, 8 May 2023

 


Self-guided walking

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 2
Moderate

14.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

 

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