Hikes in Plesio

Via the Diretissima (climbing sections I/II, not exposed) to the summit.

Viewpoint between Lake Como and Lake Lugano You simply have to climb Monte Grona between Lake Como and Lake Lugano - for the view. But only in clear weather, because in the height of summer the lakes soon disappear under a blanket of mist and the view of distant peaks is often obscured, often by mighty cloud towers that herald thunderstorms for the afternoon. It's better in the fall: blue skies, a wide horizon, a thousand peaks in the inner arc of the Alps, and the Insubrian lakes (Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano and Lake Como) in the depths. What a show! The summit tour offers no particular difficulties, marked paths lead up to the large cross: a normal route, a very steep one ("Direttissima") and a particularly panoramic one ("Panoramico"). The fourth route is by no means suitable for hikers; a wire rope running over vertical rocks, even if tightly stretched and solidly anchored as on the "Ferrata del Centenario CAO", is by no means a "path".

Hike with panoramic view of upper Lario

Wild romantic gorges and deserted settlements

June 26, 2021 (EE panoramic path)

Long-distance hikes above the Lario The "Monti Lariani" are not peaks on Lake Como, but rather the mountain huts that once played an important role in the nomadic life of farmers, long before the Milanesi, in need of relaxation, converted them into weekend cottages. In the past, peasant life moved throughout the year between the valley (paese), the mountain pastures (monti) and the high alpine pastures, an arduous nomadic existence within a farming area that stretched from the lakeshore to above the forest line. There were no roads at that time, but there were paths, artfully laid out and branching out in many places. The "Via dei Monti Lariani" follows them for around 120 km, from Cernobbio at the south-western end of the lake up to Sorico, marked continuously (but not always reliably!) in red-white-red: five to seven daily stages, 4.15 to a maximum of 8.30 hours long. You can work up quite a sweat as you constantly ascend and descend along the western bank of the Lario, even if the "Via" does not touch any peaks. In total, around 5000 meters of ascent and descent are covered. The effort is sweetened by fascinating views, insights into the life of the ancients, the incomparable architecture of the Monti and lots of colorful flowers to the left and right of the path. Of course, you can also do the tour in the opposite direction, from north to south. Partial ascents are also possible, as many paths lead down to the lakeshore. Overnight stays are in mountain huts and small hotels. It is best to take a cab for the ascent to Monte Bisbino. This shortens the first day's stage considerably, which is also advantageous in terms of the journey to Lake Como. The walking time from Cernobbio is 7 hours.

Beautiful light family forest walk through well-maintained paths, beautiful church and stunning views of Lake Como.

Via Refugio Menaggio to Monte Grona

The well-signposted tour begins at the parking lot above Albergo Breglia. There, a hiking trail branches off to the right next to the church and leads into the forest to the San Domenico Chapel. Over rugged rocks, a fantastic view opens up over the lake and the surrounding mountains. A small detour leads to the Madonna di Breglia church, where a marble statue of Mary has been venerated for 200 years. You can easily do this almost flat tour with children and even take off-road strollers along. Back at the parking lot, a small playground awaits in the shade.

Route based on the tracks from 064 to 076 actually traveled by the Va' Sentiero team