Lake Como is a northern Italian paradise that is popular among active travelers looking for some fun in the outdoors. You can find many hiking trails around the Lake Como area that will allow you to bask in the beauty of Lake Como.
If you happen to be in north Italy and would want to give hiking a go, here are eight trails that you would want to check out:
4 Valleys Trail
The 4 Valleys Trail is a popular hiking trail in the Lake Como area.
It’s about 50 km long or 31 miles, and you can hike it in a day or do it in three separate days. That’s because the 4 Valleys Trail is separated into three sections.
You can then hike these areas separately each day if you want to make the most out of your trip. The three sections are:
- From Breglia to Malé (13 km or 8 miles)
- From Malé to Cavagna (19 km or 11.8 miles)
- From Cavargna to Dasio (13 km)
You can enjoy a variety of landscapes through the 4 Valleys Trail. From the green meadows to the shaded, wooded areas, there are plenty of spots that can show you the natural beauty that Lake Como has to offer.
The Wayfarer’s Path
The Wayfarer’s Path, or Il Sentiero del Viandante, is an ancient footpath about 40 km long or a little over 24 miles in length. Back in the day, the Wayfarer’s path used to be an old route that connected the villages along the Eastern shore of Lake Como. It dates back to Roman times.
The Wayfarer’s Path is not particularly challenging, but it boasts natural and architectural sights.
You can see and admire local villages and spots like the Villa Monastero, where they have well-curated gardens. There is also the Castello di Vezio, which is an ancient military outpost.
Mount Legnone
If you want to give your trekking poles a challenge, then hiking up Monte or Mount Legnone and all its 2,610-meter height glory is the way to go. In the Lake Como area, Mount Legnon is the highest peak there.
Those who want to reach the summit and enjoy panoramic views must be expert hikers. That’s because reaching the summit can be challenging.
With that said, you can still enjoy Mount Legnone around the mid-altitude areas if you don’t want to get to the peak. There are mountain pastures and shelters around these spots on Mount Legnone.
However, if you have the opportunity to build up your skill level in hiking, it’s worth getting to the peak and enjoying the majestic views you get at the top.
Mount Magnodeno
Another mountain around the Lake Como area is Mount Magnodeno, a more approachable hike for those who can’t hike up Mount Legnone.
Although Mount Magnodeno is more accessible in comparison to Mount Legnone, it’s still of moderate difficulty. However, once you reach the top, you can then bask in the beauty of the panoramic view of Coltignone, Grigne, and Resegone around you.
The Grigne Range
The Grigne Range is composed of dolomite rocks. It is a popular hiking spot, given its proximity to the town of Lecco.
The Grigne Range is made up of three smaller ranges: Coltignone, Grignon, and Grignetta. The highest of these three smaller ranges would be the northern Grigna, also known as Grignon.
If you plan to hike the Grigne Range, you should be of an expert level in hiking or mountaineering as the trail is not easy.
The Greenway of Lake Como
If you want a more leisurely hike along Lake Como, then the Greenway of Lake Como is the best choice as it is one of the most scenic hikes in the area. It’s also not difficult to hike, and it’s about ten km long overall or around six miles.
This trail allows you to see many of the medieval villages and ancient alleyways in the area. Some people like to finish the entirety of the Greenway in one excursion.
If you want to enjoy the many spots and sights of the ancient Italian vistas, villas, and many more, you can divide the walk within several days instead.
Monte Generoso
Monte Generoso is a gorgeous and calming hiking trail because it’s all about green meadows and panoramic views of Lake Como and Lake Lugano.
A notable spot along Monte Generoso would be the forest of Laburnum along the Sentiero Botanico path. It’s not common to find many Laburnum trees together like that, so seeing a forest of them is pretty noteworthy.
If you’re looking for a hiking trail that’s bright, colorful, and refreshing, the hike up Monte Generoso is the way to go.
The Larian Triangle
The Larian Triangle has plenty of hiking trails that served as ancient merchant routes and even paths for smugglers and more. Most hiking trails offer you an exciting view from a high point of Lake Como, although you have to be an expert hiker to enjoy them.
Along the Larian Triangle trails, you can enjoy passing through places like the villages of Piazzaga and Montepiatto. There are also ancient burial tombs and archeological finds in the area.
Don’t forget to enjoy some local culinary adventures while you pass through these towns as well.
Lake Como has plenty of scenic hiking trails that show you natural sights and spots to enjoy. They also have ancient architectural and archaeological scenes that have a vivid history behind them. You’re sure to find a Lake Como hiking trail that would spark your interest with the many trails available on this list.
