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.
Seasons
the lakes have a mild climate suitable for year-round walking, although spring through to autumn means near-perfect conditions. Midsummer is best for mountain routes, while in winter when snow may cover the high peaks, stick to the lakeside walks
Centres
Stresa, Verbania, Cannobio on Lago Maggiore. Como, Cadenabbia, Menaggio, Gravedona, Varenna, Bellagio on Lago di Como
Difficulty
walks range from easy lakeside strolls to rambles across terraced mountainsides and exciting paths to superbly panoramic peaks. Graded 1 to 3, catering for everyone
Must See
ferry trips combined with walks. Val Cannobina ancient pilgrim route. High altitude sanctuaries (Sacro Monte on Maggiore and San Martino on Como). Car-less Monteviasco. Charming historic villas and islands. Historic Strada Regia on Lake Como. Stresa cable-car to panoramic Mottarone mountain. Como funicular to Brunate. Lake Como Greenway lakeside stroll. Sentiero del Viandante along Lake Como's shores. Bellagio stroll
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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.
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.
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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 -
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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
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Gillian Price
Gillian Price has trekked throughout Asia and the Himalayas, but now lives in Venice and is exploring the mountains and flatter bits of Italy. Starting in the Italian Dolomites, Gillian has written outstanding Cicerone guides to walking all over Italy as well as Corsica and Corfu. An adamant promoter of public transport to minimise environmental impact, Gillian belongs to Mountain Wilderness and is an active member of the Venice branch of CAI, the Italian Alpine Club.
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