Hike It!
Lake Como Hiking Tours
Lake Como Hiking Tours
The Lake Como area is truly paradise for those who love the great outdoors! If you're looking to take a rest day from biking, or you like to use your own two feet just as much as two wheels, then try hiking in Bellagio or Varenna. There are several trails that head toward some of the highest peaks on Lake Como as well as the famous "Sentiero del Viandante," or "Wayfarer's trail," that runs from Abbadia all the way to Colico, nearly the Lake's entire Eastern branch. From Varenna, we offer hiking tours along this trail, divided in 5 stages the entire trail is nearly 50km long. This panoramic trail has been used for many centuries to reach Switzerland from Milan. The route offers great views of Lake Como, while walking through picturesque villages, ancient courtyards and ruins, small mountainside chapels, and small vineyards and olive tree areas over the lake. We make many stops to fully appreciate and photograph the breathtaking scenery. Contact us to arrange a certified hiking guide to lead you and your group on the perfect hike in Bellagio, Varenna, or other areas of Lake Como.
---We run a weekly hiking tour on Sundays from our shop Bike It! Varenna. We hike one of the 5 stages of the Wayfarer's trail each week (May-September, weather permitting), contact us for more information or to reserve a space.
---We run a weekly hiking tour on Sundays from our shop Bike It! Varenna. We hike one of the 5 stages of the Wayfarer's trail each week (May-September, weather permitting), contact us for more information or to reserve a space.
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San Primo Hike
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San Primo ADVANCED Hike
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Varenna Hiking Tours
Sentiero del viandante stage 1:
abbadia-lierna
abbadia-lierna
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Distance (km): 11
Elevation gain (m) *430
An up and down, clear dirt path, some steep sections
Meeting Point : Piazza Della Stazione Abbadia Lariana 23821 Abbadia Lariana LC
https://goo.gl/maps/A2EKWifeUWGNimaLA
The best way to get to the starting point is by train: Linea Milano Centrale-Sondrio (Treni Nord) Time: Milano Centrale 8.20-Abbadia Lariana 9.22.
The tour plan
From the Abbadia train station, we'll get to the start of the trail in a few minutes, an ancient pathway that will give us plenty of opportunities for photos and to enjoy the beautiful views between the lake and the mountains. We'll see the Chiesa di San Giorgio (11th century) and a medieval tower that we can visit. We will cross the Meria river and see a natural waterhole. We continue on the path until reaching the Lierna train station where we'll take the train to return to Abbadia, our starting point (1.80€).
Things to bring
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
Elevation gain (m) *430
An up and down, clear dirt path, some steep sections
Meeting Point : Piazza Della Stazione Abbadia Lariana 23821 Abbadia Lariana LC
https://goo.gl/maps/A2EKWifeUWGNimaLA
The best way to get to the starting point is by train: Linea Milano Centrale-Sondrio (Treni Nord) Time: Milano Centrale 8.20-Abbadia Lariana 9.22.
The tour plan
From the Abbadia train station, we'll get to the start of the trail in a few minutes, an ancient pathway that will give us plenty of opportunities for photos and to enjoy the beautiful views between the lake and the mountains. We'll see the Chiesa di San Giorgio (11th century) and a medieval tower that we can visit. We will cross the Meria river and see a natural waterhole. We continue on the path until reaching the Lierna train station where we'll take the train to return to Abbadia, our starting point (1.80€).
Things to bring
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
sentiero del viandante stage 2:
lierna-varenna
lierna-varenna
Distance (km) * 10
Elevation gain (m) * 800
Trail has some rocky sections and steep sections, requires good physical fitness for the elevation gain.
Meeting Point: Stazione Ferroviaria di Lierna, Via Panizza Luigi, 8, 23827 Lierna LC
Link Google Maps del Punto di Ritrovo (punto specifico): https://goo.gl/maps/TsWrvbNsaqLzoPxa9
Easiest to reach by train along the linea Treni Nord Milano-Sondrio
The tour plan
The second stage of the Viandante is the most difficult as there is a lot of elevation gain. Your efforts will be rewarded with the amazing lake view at our highest point of the day, the Church of St. Peter at 992m. There will be several other lake views along the descent to Vezio, above Varenna. From Varenna we take the train to return to Lierna (€1.80)
What to bring for the trip
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
Elevation gain (m) * 800
Trail has some rocky sections and steep sections, requires good physical fitness for the elevation gain.
Meeting Point: Stazione Ferroviaria di Lierna, Via Panizza Luigi, 8, 23827 Lierna LC
Link Google Maps del Punto di Ritrovo (punto specifico): https://goo.gl/maps/TsWrvbNsaqLzoPxa9
Easiest to reach by train along the linea Treni Nord Milano-Sondrio
The tour plan
The second stage of the Viandante is the most difficult as there is a lot of elevation gain. Your efforts will be rewarded with the amazing lake view at our highest point of the day, the Church of St. Peter at 992m. There will be several other lake views along the descent to Vezio, above Varenna. From Varenna we take the train to return to Lierna (€1.80)
What to bring for the trip
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
sentiero del viandante stage 3:
varenna-bellano
varenna-bellano
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Distance (km) *9
Elevation gain (m) *300
A simple trail, the first part requiring good physical fitness as it has most of the elevation gain.
Meeting Point
Varenna, Stazione F.S. 23828 Perledo, Province of Lecco
https://goo.gl/maps/r2iQWe3TgTzy1X8q6
The tour plan
The third stage from Varenna to Bellano offers the most enchanting views of the lake, over its center. From Varenna we take an ancient mule track up tot he village of Vezio and its medieval castle. From this high point, we continue on an up and down trail amongst olive trees and panoramic viewpoints until we reach the 'Orrido di Bellano' or Bellano's gorge, a deep canyon that was created over the centuries by the Pioverna river. After descending to Bellano we take the train back to Varenna.
Things to bring for the trip
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
Elevation gain (m) *300
A simple trail, the first part requiring good physical fitness as it has most of the elevation gain.
Meeting Point
Varenna, Stazione F.S. 23828 Perledo, Province of Lecco
https://goo.gl/maps/r2iQWe3TgTzy1X8q6
The tour plan
The third stage from Varenna to Bellano offers the most enchanting views of the lake, over its center. From Varenna we take an ancient mule track up tot he village of Vezio and its medieval castle. From this high point, we continue on an up and down trail amongst olive trees and panoramic viewpoints until we reach the 'Orrido di Bellano' or Bellano's gorge, a deep canyon that was created over the centuries by the Pioverna river. After descending to Bellano we take the train back to Varenna.
Things to bring for the trip
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
sentiero del viandante stage 4:
bellano-dorio
bellano-dorio
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Distance (km) *7
Elevation gain (m) *400
A simple dirt trail with rolling hill sections and a few steep parts
Meeting point
Bellano (Stazione F.S.) 23822 Bellano, Province of Lecco
https://goo.gl/maps/sriCZS3KL5YkQw5y9
The tour plan
From Bellano we walk along the canyon carved out by the Pioverna river (Bellano's gorge) and we walk up to the panoramic Sanctuary of Lezzeno. We then descend to the lakeside in Dervio and head toward the medieval village of Corenno Plinio where we can admire its castle from the 10th century that sits upon an ancient rock. From here we go to the Chiesa di San Giorgio and then the Dorio train station to take the train back to Bellano.
Things to bring for the trip
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
Elevation gain (m) *400
A simple dirt trail with rolling hill sections and a few steep parts
Meeting point
Bellano (Stazione F.S.) 23822 Bellano, Province of Lecco
https://goo.gl/maps/sriCZS3KL5YkQw5y9
The tour plan
From Bellano we walk along the canyon carved out by the Pioverna river (Bellano's gorge) and we walk up to the panoramic Sanctuary of Lezzeno. We then descend to the lakeside in Dervio and head toward the medieval village of Corenno Plinio where we can admire its castle from the 10th century that sits upon an ancient rock. From here we go to the Chiesa di San Giorgio and then the Dorio train station to take the train back to Bellano.
Things to bring for the trip
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
sentiero del viandante stage 5:
dorio-colico
dorio-colico
Distance (km) *11
Elevation gain (m) *560
A simple trail with rolling elevation and some steep sections
Meeting Point
Dorio, Stazione F.S. 23824 Dorio, Province of Lecco
https://goo.gl/maps/3bbTgyfJBBBmnMbu5.
The tour plan
From Dorio we reach Mondonico, a group of rustic houses made of local rock where time seems to be stopped. The path becomes even more beautiful and we keep going up until reaching the chapel of San Rocco at 484m, in an extraordinarily panoramic location. We'll continue walking, seeing the small lake of Piona beneath us, and Monte Sparese above us (566m), we then descend to the neighborhood of Posallo, cross the Perlino stream and then climb to another chapel also called San Rocco from the 15th century. From Colico we take the train back to Dorio..
Things to bring for the trip
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
Elevation gain (m) *560
A simple trail with rolling elevation and some steep sections
Meeting Point
Dorio, Stazione F.S. 23824 Dorio, Province of Lecco
https://goo.gl/maps/3bbTgyfJBBBmnMbu5.
The tour plan
From Dorio we reach Mondonico, a group of rustic houses made of local rock where time seems to be stopped. The path becomes even more beautiful and we keep going up until reaching the chapel of San Rocco at 484m, in an extraordinarily panoramic location. We'll continue walking, seeing the small lake of Piona beneath us, and Monte Sparese above us (566m), we then descend to the neighborhood of Posallo, cross the Perlino stream and then climb to another chapel also called San Rocco from the 15th century. From Colico we take the train back to Dorio..
Things to bring for the trip
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket.
-There are several water fountains along the route to refill water bottles.
porta di prada (Advanced hiking)
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This hiking trip is for those who want to experience the high mountains. It's not too difficult in terms of elevation, but it is possible to make the trip longer to reach the peak of the Grigna (2410m a.s.l.) which requires a very good physical fitness level.
Distance (km) *8
Elevation gain (m) *500
A trail with rocky sections and some exposed points along the flat section. This is not for someone that has fear of heights or that experiences dizziness at high points. There is nothing dangerous on this route.
Meeting Point:
Parking Lot Alpe di Cainallo, just below the Cainallo hotel.
https://goo.gl/maps/2g2pfiFsPsS8gms
You will need to buy a parking ticket (4€) from the meter or from the hotel (https://goo.gl/maps/dmsi2vAjrkzkqHCu8).
Tour description:
Amongst the bizarre forms created by the atmospheric elements lying with the rocks, the Porta di Prada is one of those experiments that came out to be really beautiful! We'll reach this magnificent arch of rock from Cainallo (Esino Lario) while walking to the Rifugio Bietti which is beneath the peak of Grigna Settentrionale, one of the highest mountains towering over Lake Como.
The tour plan:
From the starting point, we have a 2km drive to a larger parking lot: Vò di Moncodeno (1430 m.s.l.m) https://goo.gl/maps/XbkLEraA4FbcCzbn9 .
We will walk through a forest of beech trees, (there will be some steep sections but nothing too hard technically) up until the trailhead of Prada. From here we have a flat trail with some exposed sections and we'll hear the story of the partisans for whom the mountain hut is dedicated to, from the 89th brigade. We'll reach the Porta di Prada where we'll take some photos and learn about its origin. We then have some rolling terrain up to the Rifugio Bietti where we'll admire its beautiful lake view and have a snack before heading back.
What to bring for the trip :
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket, a change of shirt
-It is possible to have lunch at the rifugio
Distance (km) *8
Elevation gain (m) *500
A trail with rocky sections and some exposed points along the flat section. This is not for someone that has fear of heights or that experiences dizziness at high points. There is nothing dangerous on this route.
Meeting Point:
Parking Lot Alpe di Cainallo, just below the Cainallo hotel.
https://goo.gl/maps/2g2pfiFsPsS8gms
You will need to buy a parking ticket (4€) from the meter or from the hotel (https://goo.gl/maps/dmsi2vAjrkzkqHCu8).
Tour description:
Amongst the bizarre forms created by the atmospheric elements lying with the rocks, the Porta di Prada is one of those experiments that came out to be really beautiful! We'll reach this magnificent arch of rock from Cainallo (Esino Lario) while walking to the Rifugio Bietti which is beneath the peak of Grigna Settentrionale, one of the highest mountains towering over Lake Como.
The tour plan:
From the starting point, we have a 2km drive to a larger parking lot: Vò di Moncodeno (1430 m.s.l.m) https://goo.gl/maps/XbkLEraA4FbcCzbn9 .
We will walk through a forest of beech trees, (there will be some steep sections but nothing too hard technically) up until the trailhead of Prada. From here we have a flat trail with some exposed sections and we'll hear the story of the partisans for whom the mountain hut is dedicated to, from the 89th brigade. We'll reach the Porta di Prada where we'll take some photos and learn about its origin. We then have some rolling terrain up to the Rifugio Bietti where we'll admire its beautiful lake view and have a snack before heading back.
What to bring for the trip :
Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snack or packed lunch, a wind/rain jacket, a change of shirt
-It is possible to have lunch at the rifugio
ride with us! |
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AddressBellagio Location: Via Valassina 103 Bellagio, Italy 22021
Varenna Location: Via Venini 136 Varenna, Italy 23829 |
info@bikeitbellagio.com
info@bikeitvarenna.com |
Shop shuttleDaily from Bellagio's town center, in front of the car ferry station at 9:00 a.m.,
9:20 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. Free parking at the shop *No shuttle for Varenna location as we are close to the town center and ferry port. |
chat on WhatsApp or facetime audio!+39 334 975 1604 (Bellagio)
+39 375 578 6962 (Varenna) Tax ID/P..Iva 03707810135
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