Walking the Italian Lakes CICERONE

Walking the Italian Lakes

by Gillian Price

This handy guidebook contains detailed route descriptions for 48 day walks around the stunning Italian lakes of Maggiore, Como, Iseo and Garda. The walks range from easy, leisurely strolls for beginners to more strenuous routes up panoramic peaks. Each walk varies in length from 2 to 13 miles and offers varying terrain to suit all walkers.

Northern Italy boasts a wealth of spectacular scenery and the glittering expanses of Lakes Maggiore, Como, Iseo and Garda do not disappoint. They lie at the foot of the gigantic Alpine chain on the border of Switzerland and are hemmed in by awesome cliffs. The magnificent lakes are becoming ever more popular due to their exquisite villas and lush gardens where camellias and rhododendrons spill over terraces.

The 48 walks in this guidebook are suitable for a wide range of holidaymakers and range from 2 to 13 miles in length. There is something for everyone, from easy leisurely strolls for first-time walkers to strenuous climbs for those with experience up panoramic peaks. Every route has been designed to fit into a single day.

The four lakes are quite distinct in flavour and atmosphere – and all strikingly beautiful. Lake Maggiore boasts a bevy of picturesque islands-cum-villages that vie with the quintessentially romantic Lake Como for elegance in terms of villas and gardens. Garda is somewhat more dramatic and alpine in flavour with awesome cliffs around the upper lake, whereas, Lake Iseo is petite and more remote than the other three.

Each walk has been classified by grade, although adverse weather conditions will make any route more arduous.

• Grade 1 refers to an easy route on clear tracks and paths, suitable for beginners.
• Grade 2 refers to paths that cross hill and mountain terrain, with lots of ups and downs; a reasonable level of fitness is required.
• Grade 3 refers to strenuous walks, entailing some exposed stretches and possibly prolonged ascent. Experience and extra care are recommended.

Map Key    
Overview Map   

Introduction   

Plants and flowers    
Wildlife    
Getting there    
Local transport    
Information    
When to go    
Accommodation    
Food and drink    
What to take    
Maps    
Dos and don’ts    
Emergencies    
Using this guide   

Lago Maggiore   

Walk 1    Stresa to Belgirate    
Walk 2    From the Mottarone to Baveno    
Walk 3    Monte Orfano and Lago di Mergozzo    
Walk 4    Cavandone on Monterosso    
Walk 5    Ghiffa Sanctuary Loop    
Walk 6    Villages above Cannero   
Walk 7    The Cannero–Cannobio Traverse    
Walk 8    Monte Carza    
Walk 9    Val Cannobina    
Walk 10    Cannobio–San Bartolomeo in Montibus Circuit    
Walk 11    Monteviasco    
Walk 12    Sasso del Ferro   

Lago di Como   

Walk 13    Colonno to Cadenabbia on the Greenway    
Walk 14    San Martino Circuit    
Walk 15    The Bocchetta di Nava Traverse    
Walk 16    Crocetta    
Walk 17    Val Sanagra    
Walk 18    Rifugio Menaggio and Monte Grona    
Walk 19    San Domenico and the Santuario di Breglia    
Walk 20    Gravedona to Domaso    
Walk 21    Domaso to Gera Lario    
Walk 22    Sentiero del Viandante 1: Varenna to Bellano    
Walk 23    Sentiero del Viandante 2: Bellano to Dervio    
Walk 24    Around Bellagio    
Walk 25    Belvedere del Monte Nuvolone    
Walk 26    Monte San Primo    
Walk 27    The Strada Regia from Pognana Lario to Torno    
Walk 28    Brunate to Torno Path    
Walk 29    Monte Boletto   

Lago d’Iseo   

Walk 30    Punta Alta    
Walk 31    Santuario di San Giovanni    
Walk 32    Corna Trentapassi    
Walk 33    Monteisola and the Santuario della Ceriola   

Lago di Garda   

Walk 34    Eremo di San Valentino    
Walk 35    Campione to Pregasio Loop    
Walk 36    Limone sul Garda and the Valle del Singol    
Walk 37    Sentiero del Sole    
Walk 38    Monte Nodice and Pregasina    
Walk 39    Strada del Ponale to Pregasina    
Walk 40    The Venetian Bastione    
Walk 41    Monte Brione    
Walk 42    Torbole to Tempesta    
Walk 43    Monte Baldo: Ventrar to San Michele    
Walk 44    Monte Baldo: Cima delle Pozzette    
Walk 45    Monte Baldo: Eremo SS Benigno e Caro    
Walk 46    Monte Baldo: Rifugio Telegrafo Circuit    
Walk 47    Monte Baldo: Costabella to Prada Alta    
Walk 48    Torri del Benaco and Graffiti    

Appendix A    Route summary table    
Appendix B    Glossary of Italian–English terms