TOUR AT A GLANCE – Lake Como Walk
Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Departures: Private departures only, please contact us for details.
Departing from: Como, Sunday morning Day 2
Tour finishes: Lenno (an easy transfer to Como), Saturday morning
Price: €2,000 per person based on double occupancy and minimum 6 people (€2,300 for 4). Single supplement: €200.
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Set serenely atop the Lombard Plains of Northern Italy, amongst the foothills of the soaring Alps and a short distance from fashionable Milan, the Lakes region is a world unto itself. Our hikes will capture the beauty of it all, from Alpine villages to opulent lakeside villas. We hike along the high crest of Monte Brunate for our first enthralling vistas of Lake Como.A family-run alpine restaurant offers up hearty food and superb views from their panoramic terrace. A cog train whisks us to the summit of Monte Generoso. From here, we walk down to the village of Lanzo d’Intelvi for grand views of Lake Lugano. Lanzo’s stone farmhouses, fringed with ancient cedars, give the town a magic atmosphere.
Our hikes take us back in time as we pass villages and hamlets seemingly untouched by the rush of modern life. From our lovely hotel on the shore in Lenno, quaint boats ferry us from village to village, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy the beauty of the region.
(Luggage is transferred by van. 2 nights Como, 2 nights Lanzo d’Intelvi, 3 nights Lenno. Trip ends in Como.)
Day 1 – Saturday: Independent arrival in Como. Your hotel, the Hotel Firenze, is located on a quiet pedestrian piazza just a 5-minute walk from the train station. Enjoy an evening and dinner on your own. Hotel included. Dinner and transfer not included.
Day 2 – Sunday: Meet your guide(s) after breakfast and take a short transfer up to the Alpine look-out of Alpe del Vicere to start your walk. Wind your way leisurely along the high ridge of Monte Brunate for breathtaking views of the lake and city of Como. We stop for lunch en route at a “baita,” an Alpine-style chalet that has been turned into a restaurant for hikers. Try the fabulous polenta with porcini mushrooms. A steep descent back to Como is ingeniously avoided by using the Monte Brunate funicular (cable car). There is time this afternoon to explore Como’s narrow cobbled streets and spacious piazzas. Overnight in Como. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 3 – Monday: After breakfast we leave Como and transfer to Capolago, in Switzerland, where we will board a “cog” train for an exhilarating ride to the top of Monte Generoso. The summit, at 5,577 feet, provides an unforgettable view onto the distant snow-capped Alps. Our hike leads us down to the village of Lanzo d’Intelvi, located in an alpine valley above Lake Lugano. The trail takes us through verdant cedar forests and past charming stone farmhouses. Our hotel tonight is the Albergo Belvedere in Lanzo. It is set in a wooded park with views onto the surrounding mountains. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 4 – Tuesday: We start the day with a loop hike through pristine alpine meadows and rustic farm villages. This afternoon we have a cooking demonstration and a chance to sample and learn the host’s family recipes, followed by dinner. Overnight in Lanzo. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 5 – Wednesday: We start with a van transfer up to the Baita Buffalora from where we follow a stone military road past World War I bunkers to the top of Monte Crocione. We then loop back for a fireside lunch in the Baita before descending to Pigra. At Pigra we catch a cable-car down to the shores of Lake Como. Throughout the day we will see the majestic mountains of the Tre Sassi that tower over the eastern shore of the lake. We then board a local ferryboat to the village of Lenno and the Hotel San Giorgio, our home for the next three nights.The San Giorgio is truly a special place. It was built in the 1920s and is still owned and operated by the same family, who have retained its Old World charm and hospitality. The hotel is located on a quiet bay with beautiful shaded gardens extending to the lakeshore, an ideal place to hang up the hiking boots, relax and enjoy the beauty of Lake Como. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 6 – Thursday: The day begins with a ferry ride to the opposite shore of the lake to the beautiful village of Bellagio, where we visit the park and gardens of the Villa Melzi. Optional afternoon hike to the Abbazia Acquafredda, a 15th century abbey above Lenno. Optional late afternoon visit of the local olive oil press in Lenno. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 7 – Friday: Morning walk to San Martino for a picnic lunch before descending to the famous Villa Carlotta. We have a guided visit of this 17th century villa that was once home to Prince Albert of Prussia. Optional afternoon walk to the village of Sala Comacina, or simply choose to relax in the lovely gardens of our hotel. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 8 – Saturday: After breakfast return by boat to Como and transfer from there to your next destination. We have not included the final transfer because the departure options are too numerous. Some may wish to linger and others may have an early departure. There are many boats that you can take as well as buses; you can take a fast hydrofoil back to Como (25 minutes) or extend your vacation by taking a leisurely and scenic slow ferry back to Como (1 hour and a half) or finally you can opt to take the bus to Como (1 hour). Breakfast included.
The walks in the Lake Como area can be challenging at times as we ascend or descend mountain paths which are often rocky and over uneven terrain. We have designed the trip so that there is always some free time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or enjoy the towns where we stay. Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent traditional food of the region. Daily distance between 8 and 14 kms.
General Information
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Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate with some challenging stretches including some steep ascents and descents. We usually walk between 10-16 kms a day (6-10 miles), which translates into about 3-4 hours of walking more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon.Trip Cost Includes: All accommodations (2 nights Como, 2 nights Lanzo d’Intelvi, 3 nights Lenno in 3-star hotels); 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners; bilingual guide or guides; all van and luggage transfers from pick-up in Como Day 2 until Friday Day 7; guided visit of Villa Balbianella and entrance to the Villa Melzi in Bellagio; cog train tickets for Monte Generoso; ferry tickets. Getting there (this will redirect you to our “Getting to the Trip” page).Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the “Reservation” page). Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend “Travel Guard” to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.  We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
