Walking Lake Como and Maggiore

Day walks and the Sentiero del Viandante trek in the Italian Lakes

By Gillian Price

ISBN

9781786311689

Availability

Published

25 Sept 2023

Edition

Second

Pages

192

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.10cm

Weight

220g

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Guidebook to 28 day walks and the Sentiero del Viandante trek 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

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

ISBN

9781786311689

Availability

Published

25 Sept 2023

Edition

Second

Pages

192

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.10cm

Weight

220g

Overview

This guidebook describes 28 day walks and the Sentiero del Viandante trek around Lakes Como and Maggiore in Northern Italy. The day routes range from 3 to 20km in length are graded 1 to 3. The mini trek up the eastern shore of Lago di Como from Lecco to Colicocan can also be cut into one-day stages if desired. 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

Map key

Overview map

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 Around Bellagio

Walk 25 Belvedere del Monte Nuvolone

Walk 26 Monte San Primo

Walk 27 The Strada Regia from Pognana Lario to Torno

Walk 28 Brunate to Torno Path

Sentiero del Viandante Trek

Stage 1 Lecco to Abbadia Lariana

Stage 2 Abbadia Lariana to Lierna

Stage 3 Lierna to Varenna

Stage 4 Varenna to Dervio

Stage 5 Dervio to Colico

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Glossary of Italian–English terms

Maps

Maps

Sketch maps are provided for each walk in this guidebook. In many cases these are sufficient, in combination with the walk description. However, it is always a good idea to get hold of larger maps of the area for a number of valid reasons: they put places in a wider context, help you identify other points of interest, plot your own routes, and last but not least, are an essential tool for orientation if you lose your way or decide to change route. A good range of walking maps is available for the lakes, and specific information is given in the introduction to each chapter. Some maps are available overseas at outdoor stores and bookshops, several can be downloaded from websites, while others are sold locally at the lakes.

Updates

October 2023

Sentiero del Viandante

Stage 4, page 170: 2nd paragraph, preface should read 'About halfway today is Bellano with a dramatic orrido/ravine that is worth taking time out to visit.' DELETE the rest of the paragraph.

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Gillian Price

Gillian Price has trekked throughout Asia and the Himalayas, but now lives in Venice. Gillian has steadily explored the mountain ranges of Italy, and Corsica, and brought them to life for visitors in a series of outstanding guides for Cicerone. She is an active member of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and Mountain Wilderness.

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