Lake Como Hiking Guide: Best Trails & What to Expect (2026)

Lake como hiking is one of the most underrated things to do on this lake. Most visitors come for the ferries and the villas. Those who pull on boots and head uphill find something different: empty paths, mountain views, and the lake below in a way no terrace photograph captures. This guide covers the best trails from every base town, honest difficulty ratings, and what to bring.

Quick Info

Lake Como Hiking Overview: What You Need to Know

Lake Como hiking ranges from easy lakeside walks to technical via ferrata routes. The terrain shifts quickly as you move uphill from the waterfront. What looks like a gentle green slope from the ferry is often 600 metres of rocky switchbacks.

The eastern shore, where Varenna sits, has the most accessible mid-level hiking. Its main route, the Sentiero del Viandante, follows an ancient mule track along the hillside. On the western shore, the Greenway del Lago runs between small villages and lakeside gardens. Flatter and easier.

Trail conditions change fast after rain. Landslides near Varenna have closed the SP72 road and lower paths with little warning in recent years. Check trail status with the CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) website before heading out. Especially important between October and April.

A note on footwear: ankle-support hiking boots are not optional for anything above the Greenway. The rocky paths on the Sentiero del Viandante and the via ferrata require proper grip. Sports shoes are fine for the Greenway and for the castle walk above Varenna.

Best Easy Hikes Around Lake Como

Greenway del Lago di Como

The Greenway runs 11.2 kilometres along the western shore between Colonno and Griante. It follows the ancient Antica Strada Regina Roman road through lakeside villages and historic gardens. Total walking time is around 3.5 hours at a comfortable pace.

Surface is a mix of paved lanes, narrow stone streets, and gently stepped sections. No specialist gear is needed. Sports shoes work fine. The route passes Villa del Balbianello, Sala Comacina, and the historic parks at Tremezzo. Each of these is a natural rest stop.

Start at Colonno. A car park at the south entrance charges €5 on weekends and holidays. Menaggio is the most convenient base for the Greenway. The northern end of the route is a short ferry ride from Menaggio to Cadenabbia. Note: the Cadenabbia dock remains closed until 30 June 2026. A free shuttle connects Menaggio and Cadenabbia during the closure.

Castello di Vezio Walk

Varenna to Castello di Vezio is a 20-minute uphill walk from the village centre. The castle ruins date to the 11th century. Views from the battlements cover the full mid-lake stretch. Bellagio and Menaggio are both visible on clear days. Entry costs €4. Falconry displays run at set times in season.

The path is clearly signed from Varenna’s upper village. Sports shoes are fine. Morning visits avoid the midday heat and most of the crowds.

Best Challenging Hikes on Lake Como

Sentiero del Viandante: Varenna to Dervio

The Sentiero del Viandante is a 45 to 50-kilometre ancient mule track along the full eastern shore. Most hikers tackle it in stages. Stage 3, Varenna to Dervio, is the most popular: 11.8 kilometres, 620 metres of elevation gain.

Difficulty is rated T/E (Tourist-Excursion) by CAI. Allow around 4 hours 45 minutes. The terrain crosses rough grassland, rocky switchbacks, and exposed ridge sections. Ankle-support boots are required. Trekking poles help on the descent.

Trail tickets from this route give you a 50% discount at Villa Monastero in Varenna. A practical bonus worth knowing before you go.

The guided Walking on Lake Como: Wayfarer’s Path from Varenna to Dervio covers this stage with a local guide who knows the current trail conditions. A solid option if you have not hiked the eastern shore before.

Via Ferrata Lake Como

The Via Ferrata above Varenna is among the more accessible via ferrata routes in northern Italy. Fixed iron cables and stemples protect the exposed sections. The route requires a via ferrata set (harness, lanyards, helmet). Rental gear is available locally.

The Varenna Via Ferrata guided experience provides all equipment and a certified guide. Views from the route are among the highest on the lake without a longer alpine approach.

Hiking from Varenna: Best Routes

Varenna is the best base for lake como hiking trails on the eastern shore. The village sits at the foot of the hillside. Every trail above town starts within a 10-minute walk of the ferry dock.

The routine my cousin and I settled into at Casa San Giorgio: boots on by 7 am, up to the castle or the lower Viandante before the heat, back down for a coffee at the dock before the first ferry crowd arrived. Four mornings in a row without seeing another hiker on the uphill path before 9 am. After that, you have the trail to yourself until the organised tour groups arrive around 10:30.

From Varenna you can access: the Castello di Vezio walk (20 min, easy), the lower Sentiero del Viandante towards Fiumelatte (30 min, easy), Stage 3 of the Viandante to Dervio (4h 45min, moderate-challenging), and the Via Ferrata (half day, technical).

For a structured hiking day with all logistics handled, the Walking on Lake Como: Wayfarer’s Path guided walk departs from Varenna and covers the best section of the Sentiero del Viandante.

Hiking from Bellagio: Best Routes

Bellagio sits on a peninsula. Hikes from Bellagio are shorter than the Varenna routes, with panoramic payoffs covering both arms of the lake.

Punta Spartivento Walk

Punta Spartivento sits at the very tip of the Bellagio peninsula, 20 minutes on foot from the centre. The walk is flat and easy. At the tip, both arms of the lake open up simultaneously below you. One of the best vantage points on the lake, and almost no effort to reach. Visit early or at golden hour. Midday crowds on the narrow path are not pleasant.

Bellagio Trekking to Makalle Viewpoint

The trek to Makalle viewpoint above Bellagio is a step up in difficulty. It climbs through chestnut woods to a viewpoint with open panoramas over the lake. Total time is around 2 to 3 hours return.

The Bellagio Trekking with Lunch at Makalle Viewpoint guided experience covers this route with a local guide and a lunch stop at the viewpoint. A good option for those who want a proper hill walk without navigating alone.

Tips and What to Pack for Lake Como Hiking

On the Trail

Footwear. Ankle-support boots for anything on the Sentiero del Viandante or above. Sports shoes are fine for the Greenway, Punta Spartivento, and the Castello di Vezio walk.

Start early. Summer temperatures above the lake reach 30°C by midday. The best hiking window is 7 am to 11 am. Trails are also significantly quieter before the organised tour groups arrive around 10:30.

Check trail conditions. Landslides close paths on the eastern shore with little warning. Check the CAI website or ask at your hotel before heading out. The lower Viandante path between Varenna and Lierna has been affected by closures in recent years.

Water and food. There are almost no water sources or snack stops on the mid-level trails. Carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person. Bring food for any hike over two hours.

Logistics

Getting between trailheads. A car is useful for reaching Colonno (Greenway start), Breglia (Monte Grona trailhead), and other points away from the ferry network. Compare car rental options here before you arrive. Parking at most trailheads is free or very cheap.

Stay connected. Signal on the upper trails can drop. Pick up an Airalo eSIM before leaving home. It covers the lake area and keeps you connected at the ferry docks and in the villages.

Where to stay for hiking. Varenna is the best base for eastern shore trails. Where to Stay in Varenna: Best Hotels on Lake Como covers every option from luxury to budget. For western shore hiking, Where to Stay in Menaggio: Best Hotels on Lake Como is the right starting point.

FAQ

Is Lake Como good for hiking? Yes. The eastern shore in particular has excellent mid-level trails with outstanding lake views. Sentiero del Viandante is one of the best-marked historic routes in northern Italy. Easy walks like the Greenway and the Castello di Vezio path suit any fitness level. More technical options like the Via Ferrata are available for experienced hikers.

What are the best lake como hiking trails for beginners? The Greenway del Lago is the best lake como hiking trail for beginners: flat terrain, clear waymarking, lakeside villages all along the route. For a short uphill option, the Castello di Vezio walk above Varenna is the obvious choice. Both require no specialist gear.

Do I need a guide for Lake Como hiking? Not for the Greenway or the Castello di Vezio walk. A guide is strongly recommended for the Sentiero del Viandante Stage 3 on a first visit. Trail conditions change and waymarking in some sections is inconsistent. For the Via Ferrata, a certified guide and proper gear are required. The guided Wayfarer’s Path walk is the easiest way to do the Viandante without navigating alone.

Planning Your Hiking Trip

When is the best time for hiking on Lake Como? April to June and September to October are ideal. Temperatures are comfortable, trails are dry, and the lake is at its most scenic. July and August are hot. Midday temperatures above 30°C make long hikes uncomfortable. Start before 8 am in summer. Best Time to Visit Lake Como: Month by Month Guide covers the full seasonal picture.

How do I get to the Lake Como hiking trails? Most eastern shore trails start from Varenna. Direct trains from Milano Centrale take 50 minutes. Western shore trails are best accessed by car or ferry to Menaggio. For trailheads away from the ferry network, compare car rental options here. The full itinerary guide is in Lake Como Itinerary: How Many Days Do You Really Need?, which covers how to combine hiking with the rest of the lake.