Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
14.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Picture perfect Lake Como - one of the deepest in Europe - is set in the foothills of the Italian Alps. Its glitzy Hollywood reputation precedes it, but few people realise the striking contrasts a visit here can offer. Beyond exquisite villas, colourful villages and landscaped gardens gracing the shore, walkers can find hidden sanctuaries, remote 12th century abbeys and breathtaking viewpoints linked by centuries old pilgrim paths and muleteers' tracks. Stone built mountain villages set high in wild terraced valleys boast stunning vistas of sky-scraping high mountain ranges, like the Alpine peak of La Grigne (2400m), usually snow-capped well into spring.
This twin centre, self guided walking holiday captures both the glamour and majestic beauty of Lake Como perfectly. In Como, your *** family run hotel in the heart of Como town is home for the first three nights, whilst for your four nights in Bellagio, your liberty style hotel sits on the town's pretty promenade overlooking the lake. Using the frequent and easy to use ferry services, we take you to Como's eastern and western shores to access our varied and rewarding walks which showcase the very best of Lake Como.
The walks are on mountain paths and lakeside tracks, many with a large number of steps and cobbles. All walks involve steep ascents and/or descents, and traverse steep hillsides. Walkers should be confident and relatively fit. Walking boots and poles are strongly recommended.
Arrive in Como. Your hotel is ideally located in central Como, within easy reach of an excellent choice of restaurants, shops and bars. Como's railway station, marina and Old Town, with its white marble Duomo and medieval town walls, are all a short walk away.
You stay at Hotel Borgo Antico.
Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
Visa
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Aircon
Safe
The cosy, family run Hotel Borgo Antico is located in a quiet street in central Como, within easy reach of the town's centro storico and the lake's marina, with a wide choice of bars and restaurants in the surrounding streets. Rooms are prettily decorated with air-conditioning and safe, as well as ensuite facilities.
Please note that availability for accommodations on Lake Como can be very tight. When we are unable to secure availability at the Hotel Borgo Antico, an alternative accommodation will be offered, which may be subject to a supplement.
Take the funicular up to the tiny hilltop village of Brunate, 700m above Como town, for incredible views over Como lake, town and the surrounding mountains. Then make your way across the hillside through birch forest and past tumbling streams to the narrow, cobbled streets of lakeside Torno. Ferry (20 mins) or public bus back to Como.
You stay at Hotel Excelsior Splendid.
ShopsMarketBankCash machineMastercardVisa
AmEx
PoolHairdryerTVAirconSafe
The Hotel Excelsior Splendid panoramically sits on Bellagio's pretty promenade, gazing out over Lake Como. The hotel is in a converted Art Nouveau building and comes with an impressive entrance hall, with sweeping staircase. There's also a pizzeria, bar lounge and restaurant that overlooks the lake. The hotel also benefits from a swimming pool with gardens to the rear.
Please note that availability for accommodations on Lake Como can be very tight. When we are unable to secure availability at the Hotel Excelsior Splendid, an alternative accommodation will be offered, which may be subject to a supplement.
Room upgrades: Lake view room
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Ferry to Torno. From Torno's winding alleyways, head uphill along an ancient mule track past colourful peach terraces, glittering waterfalls and ancient stone carved tombs for a glorious lake panorama. A stepped trail up to a shaded mossy valley brings you to Monte Piatto village, perched high above the water. A steep descent under wild cherry trees takes you back to Torno. Ferry to Como.
Private transfer (1hr) up to 1000m on Monte San Primo. Climb to a 1680m high saddle, enjoying superb vistas over to the rugged limestone peaks of the Grigne mountains, before you descend through lush beech forest, past the source of the river Lambro, to the village of Magreglio. Visit the famous chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists, before we meet you and take you to Bellagio (15 mins), known as the 'Pearl of Como'.
Set off from Bellagio's picturesque water front promenade up a series of stepped trails to the hill top villages of Brogno and Chevrio, where Alpine chalet-style farms with great views into Switzerland sell homemade cheese and honey. A panoramic picnic maybe before returning via Pescallo's charming waterfront to Bellagio. In the afternoon, there's time to visit the famous lake side gardens at Villa Melzi before dinner.
Ferry (10 mins) to beautiful Varenna, arguably the prettiest of all of Como's villages with its flower bedecked balconies and vibrant botanical gardens. Then follow the age old Sentiero del Viandante as it undulates through terraces of olives and chestnut trees to Bellano, sitting on a picturesque promontory overlooking Lake Como's eastern shores.
Ferry to Lenno (10 mins), then set off along the wonderful Via Crucis, an ancient path of pilgrimage lined with frescoed shrines and neo classical statues en route to the 16th century Madonna del Soccorso Sanctuary. From here continue uphill to the evocative ruins of the 12th century Abbey of St Benedetto, perched high above the Perlana valley. Descend past isolated farms back to Lenno via the Abbey of Acquafredda. Explore the terraced gardens at nearby Villa Balbianello, before returning to Bellagio for your final night.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
14.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
