Join this walking tour around the beautiful Como and Lugano Lakes in Italy
The Como and Lugano Lakes Walking tour is a breathtaking hiking experience in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, exploring the excellent scenery around Lake Como and Lake Lugano.
You’ll start the Como and Lugano Lakes Walking Tour in Menaggio, a lakeside town with stellar mountain views. Walking along the lakeshore takes you to Varenna, where the classic architecture and the lake views will compete for your attention. Each town you walk through will surprise you with its unique culture and atmosphere. Ascending into the mountains gives you birds-eye views of the shimmering lakes, and you’ll be a stone’s throw from Switzerland. Relax in mountain huts, and then dip down into meadows and forests. By the time you arrive in Porlezza by the end of the Como and Lugano Lakes Walking Tour, you won’t ever want to leave. Book your spot and trek the stunning Lombardy region now!
Highlights of the Como & Lugano Lakes Walking Tour
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Como and Lugano Lakes Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Menaggio
You’ll start your hiking tour of Lombardy in Menaggio, a lakeside town with a beautiful mountain view. Take some time to relax in the town centre or take a walk through the neighbouring forest. Villa Carlotta nearby has incredible gardens that are definitely worth your time.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Menaggio
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk from Varenna to Dervio
Start your hiking tour of Lombardy with a more relaxed trip around the eastern side of Lake Como along Sentiero del Viandante, “The Wayfarer’s Path.” The landscape you’ll pass is exceptional, and the views are picture-perfect. You can make a quick trip up to the castle in Vezio, which is definitely worth it!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Menaggio
Distance: 5 hours, 12.4 km, 637m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Choice of walks
For the next few days, you can pick between three walks to complete on whichever day you prefer. The first walk is a loop walk that passes through the Val Sanagra nature reserve, a lesser-explored area with a storied history. You’ll walk to Loveno, a villa-clad town, and then along the Sanagra stream, which flows from high in the mountains. Resist the urge to take a dip- it’s chilly! Next, you’ll explore Barna, a hamlet with an incredibly peaceful, slow pace of life.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Menaggio
Distance: 15.5 km, 40m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Choice of walks
The next walk you can choose starts in Breglia, and then continues up two of the highest peaks in the area, Monte Grona and Monte Bregagnino. This means you get birds-eye views of the three lakes in the area and the surrounding villages. On a clear day, enjoy the view of the Alps in the distance.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Menaggio
Distance: 6.5 hours, 14 km, 1000m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Choice of walks
The final walk you can choose for days 3-5 follows the Antica Strada Regina on the west side of Lake Como. The route was built by the Romans, and connects Lake Como with several alpine passes. You’ll walk along cobblestone to Rexxonico, where the views of the lake are exceptional.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Menaggio
Distance: 3 hours, 9 km, 330m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Walk from Cavargna to Porlezza
Start the morning with a private transfer to Cavargna, which sits high on a hill. You’ll climb up to the Church of Saint Lucio, which straddles the border of Italy and Switzerland. Pop over to the other side and snap a photo! Then, you’ll hike to Monti, a remote hamlet normally only accessible by land rover. Descend to Molzano, where the trail is flanked by mountains and leads to clear views of Lake Como and Lake Lugano.
The last section of today’s hike follows a trail through the woods and meadows to Porlezza, and this section of the path is spectacular. Soak it in and make sure to snap some photos, as this is one of the highlights of the area!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Porlezza
Distance: 5 hours, 16.5 km, 600m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Walk from Porlezza to San Mamete
The final full day of the Lombardy Cuomo & Lugano Lakes Tour takes you up into the mountains above Lugano Lake. You’ll pass waterfalls, forests, and small villages almost too perfect to be real. The ascent is tough, but you’ll be rewarded with excellent views from Alpe Vecchio, the mountain hut on the plateau. If your knees hold up on the way down, you’ll make it back to San Mamete with time to relax a moment before the bus takes you to Porlezza for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Porlezza
Distance: 5 hours, 11.3 km, 1100m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Arriverderci, Porlezza!
Savour a last breakfast in Lombardy looking over the lake before starting your travels home.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
The departure is available every day. Prices below are per person:
Departure on April 1st – 26th, 2024:
- Solo traveler: $1,395 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,275 USD
- Double/Twin room: $950 USD
- Triple room: $850 USD
Departure on April 27th – May 26th, 2024:
- Solo traveler: $1,395 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,275 USD
- Double/Twin room: $1,050 USD
- Triple room: $875 USD
Departure on May 27th – September 30th, 2024:
- Solo traveler: $1,525 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,375 USD
- Double/Twin room: $1,050 USD
- Triple room: $950 USD
Departure on October 1th – 25th, 2024:
- Solo traveler: $1,395 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $1,195 USD
- Double/Twin room: $925 USD
- Triple room: $825 USD
Accommodation on the Como and Lugano Lakes Walking Tour
This tour is based in 3-star hotels and B&Bs. The hotels offer pleasant rooms with ensuite bathrooms and excellent locations. Rooms are standard, double occupancy, and you can upgrade the accommodation at Mennagio to the lake view with an extra charge (please enquire for more information).
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Solo travellers must pay a supplement that varies based on the season (please inquire to find out more). However, it’s definitely possible to match single travellers up.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Bellavista in Menaggio ★★★
Hotel Bellavista enjoys wonderful views, and guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, free WiFi, and a great restaurant.
Hotel Europa in Porlezza ★★★
Hotel Europa is just 5 minutes from the beach and offers a private garden, gym, and swimming pool. Rooms are equipped with TVs and free WiFi.
What’s included in the Como and Lugano Lakes Walking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 7 nights is included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes one personal transfer from Menaggio to Cavargna on day 6, with a luggage transfer to Porlezza. You are in charge of all the other transfers, such as ferry or train tickets.
Also Included
- Route guides and notes
- Maps and detailed information packs
- 24/7 telephone guidance and support
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Trains, boats, and busses wherever required
- Lunches and dinners or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes
- Personal equipment
Optional Extras
- Any additional nights before or after tour
- Airport transfers
- Room with a Lake View while staying in Menaggio (please enquire for the prices)
Frequently Asked Questions about Como & Lugano Lakes Walking Tour
S-Cape Travel is a boutique tour operator focused on sharing the best walking, cycling, cultural and food & wine tours in Europe. Book one of their self-guided tours to live La Dolce Vita for a week or two, as you walk or cycle around Europe, enjoying incredible views and amazing food and wine.
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