Walking Lake Como and Maggiore

Guidebook to 30 walks in the beautiful Italian lakes of Maggiore and Como. Routes are graded by difficulty and range from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain peaks. Well-waymarked trails take you away from the crowds to visit tiny hamlets, historic villas and scenic islands, with walks for all year round.

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Overview

This guidebook describes 30 walks around Lakes Como and Maggiore in Northern Italy. The routes range from 3 to 20km in length and are graded 1 to 3. There is something for everyone, from easy leisurely strolls for first-time walkers to strenuous climbs up panoramic peaks.

The clear maps, inspirational photographs and information about accommodation and public transport options help to make this guidebook an ideal companion to exploring the exceptional scenery, views and culture of the Italian Lakes. A basic English-Italian glossary is also included.

Picturesque Lago Maggiore has been working its magic on writers and visitors for centuries. Blessed with a mild climate and delightful position close to the Alps, it attracts flocks of admirers to its shores and islands adorned with sumptuous villas and gorgeous ornamental gardens, a legacy of the late Renaissance. Ever magnificent, the splendours of Lago di Como were broadcast by the likes of Pliny and Strabone back in ancient Roman times. Overseas visitors are attracted by the breathtaking scenery and romantic atmosphere, augmented by the host of villas and superb gardens, where pretty camellias and rhododendrons spill over terraces.

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
Plants and flowers
Wildlife
Getting there
Local transport
Information
When to go
Accommodation
Food and drink
What to take
Maps
Dos and don’ts
Emergencies
Using this guide
Lago Maggiore
Walk 1 Stresa to Belgirate
Walk 2 From the Mottarone to Baveno
Walk 3 Monte Orfano and Lago di Mergozzo
Walk 4 Cavandone on Monterosso
Walk 5 Ghiffa Sanctuary Loop
Walk 6 Villages above Cannero
Walk 7 The Cannero–Cannobio Traverse
Walk 8 Monte Carza
Walk 9 Val Cannobina
Walk 10 Cannobio–San Bartolomeo in Montibus Circuit
Walk 11 Monteviasco
Walk 12 Sasso del Ferro
Lago di Como
Walk 13 Moltrasio to Laglio
Walk 14 Pigra to Colonno
Walk 15 Colonno to Cadenabbia on the Greenway
Walk 16 San Martino Circuit
Walk 17 The Bocchetta di Nava Traverse
Walk 18 Crocetta
Walk 19 Val Sanagra
Walk 20 Rifugio Menaggio and Monte Grona
Walk 21 San Domenico and the Santuario di Breglia
Walk 22 Gravedona to Domaso
Walk 23 Domaso to Gera Lario
Walk 24 Sentiero del Viandante 1: Varenna to Bellano
Walk 25 Sentiero del Viandante 2: Bellano to Dervio
Walk 26 Around Bellagio
Walk 27 Belvedere del Monte Nuvolone
Walk 28 Monte San Primo
Walk 29 The Strada Regia from Pognana Lario to Torno
Walk 30 Brunate to Torno Path

Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Glossary of Italian–English terms

Updates

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June 2021

Walk 2 Stresa-Mottarone

Due to the recent tragic cable-car accident, Walk 2 (Stresa-Mottarone) cannot be done at present.

October 2019

Walk 2

page 39: Via Madonna della Neve was closed in October 2019 but the walk can continue down Via per Campino the rest of the way to Baveno.

(Thanks to Sally Taylor)

Reviews

Without the guides we would simply have not been able to do some of the most tremendous walks in Europe.

Gillian,

Many thanks and well done. I can't believe how much work you must put into these guides and I just want to say how much we have appreciated it. Without the guides we would simply have not been able to do some of the most tremendous walks in Europe.

Many thanks,

Graham S

Downloads

Sample route

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