Self-Guided Trails of Como and Lugano

Your accommodation for the first five nights of your holiday is in the pretty town of Menaggio. Nestling on the shores of Lake Como and long-associated with poets, artists, world leaders and, lately, film stars, Lake Como is surrounded by the Southern Alps which are often still snow-covered until May. On arrival you can explore the town and take in the views of the rugged mountains across the lake. During the following days it is worth taking your time to explore the small towns, viewpoints and forests on either side of Lake Como, the beautiful gardens of Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo and Villa Melzi in Bellagio.

The first walk of the holiday contours the shore line on the opposite side of the lake. After breakfast you take the ferry boat across the lake to Varenna, a village of picturesque lanes and old fishermen's houses. You then follow the east side of Lake Como along the Sentiero del Viandante - the Wayfarer's Path. Along your route you will see many buildings built in the traditional regional style and enjoy outstanding views of Lake Como and the foothills of the Alps. Just above Varenna it is worth making a short detour from the walking route to visit the medieval castle in Vezio. From Dervio you can catch a local train back to Varenna and another ferry back to Menaggio.

You can expect today's 12.5 kilometre walk to take approximately five hours. There is a cumulative ascent during the walk of 937metres and descent of 924 metres.

Today and you have a choice of two different walks. You can hike from Menaggio on a circular route that will take you into the Val Sanagra Nature Reserve, a little visited area that is rich in history. The trail passes through Loveno, a village with many grand villas, then on to Pianuro a vast area of pasture where livestock graze. You then follow the course of the Sanagra, an alpine stream lined by several ancient mills and iron foundries. Over the passage of time the stream has carved out an impressive gorge. The route then continues through Barna, a lovely hamlet where time seems to have stood still, before returning to Menaggio.

Another option is a hike to climb two of the most significant peaks on the western side of the lake, Monte Grona (1736m) and Monte Bregagnino (1905 m).The route starts with a climb through the pastures above Breglia, a small village above Menaggio that can be reached by bus. From the top of Monte Grona you have one of the best views of the Pre- Alps. You can see three different lakes; Como, Lugano and Piano, and the peaks of Monte Bregagno, Legnone, Pizzo di Gino and Grigne. If the conditions are clear you will be able to see the Alps stretching all the way from Monviso to Bernina. There are three different ways to get to the top of the Monte Grona from the Rifugio Menaggio.

The walk into the Val Sanagra is 14.5 kilometres and will take you approximately five hours with a cumulative ascent during the walk of 696 metres and descent of 695 metres. The Monte Grona and Monte Bregagnino hike is 13 kilometres and will take you approximately seven hours with a cumulative ascent and descent during the walk of 1346 metres.

Today you can return to the eastern side of lake, taking the ferry from Menaggio to Varenna and a local bus or a taxi to the start of the walk in Esino Lario. Your route passes through the landscapes of the Regional Park of Northern Grigna. This mountain range has a spectacular landscape of pinnacles, steep-cliffs and sheer valleys carved deep into the rock. The route brings you to Porta di Prada a striking rock arch caused by the natural erosion of the limestone.

The hike from Esino Lario is 20 kilometres and will take you approximately 6 hours with a cumulative ascent during the walk of 1144 metres and descent of 324 metres.

Another walk straight out of from Menaggio leads along cobblestoned paths on the west coast of Lake Como to Rezzonico on the Antica Strada Regina, an old Roman road. The Antica Strada Regina was an important road connection between Como and the alpine passes and the old trail was used until the end of the 18th century when the current lakeside road was built. From the top of the hill there are great views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. After the walk you can return to Menaggio by local bus.

Today's is nine kilometres and will take you approximately three hours with a cumulative ascent during the walk of 530 metres and descent of 493 metres.

Today you will move base to the pretty village of Porlezza on the shore of Lake Lugano. In the morning a private transfer takes you to the start of today's walk, the hill top village of Cavargna. (Your main luggage continues on to your hotel in Porlezza). From Cavargna, a spectacular climb takes you to the Church of Saint Lucio, right on the border between Italy and Switzerland. A panoramic footpath leads you on a descent of over 1550 metres through woods and meadows down to Porlezza, situated at the northeast end of the Lake Lugano, and very close to the Swiss border.

You can expect today's 16.5 kilometre walk to take approximately five hours. There is a cumulative ascent during the walk of 698 metres and descent of 1502 metres.

This morning you can catch a public bus to Lugano in Switzerland from where you take the cable car to the top of Monte San Salvatore (912m). You hike along a forest footpath to the end of the peninsula with some spectacular views of Lake Lugano and the mountains all around. It is possible to make a short detour to reach the baroque Church of Madonna d'Ongero. The walk ends in Morcote from where you can catch a bus back to Lugano and then on to Porlezza.

You can expect today's ten kilometre walk to take approximately three hours. There is a cumulative ascent during the walk of 433 metres and descent of 1039 metres.

The trip ends after breakfast in Porlezza.