Between Lake and Mountains: An Adventure to Take in Every Breath

Legnone is more than just a mountain. It’s a true icon of the Alto Lago, with its unmistakable horn-shaped profile and its 2,609 meters above sea level. It boasts trails, mountain pastures, and unforgettable panoramic views, as well as challenging routes for experienced hikers.

Interesting fact: the name Legnone, paradoxically, doesn’t derive from “legno” (wood) but from the Celtic-Ligurian term “lin,” meaning “water.” A small reminder of when Europe’s lowest glacier once stood here.

Mount Legnoncino, on the other hand, is considered Legnone’s twin peak. Lower than its larger sibling, reaching 1,715 meters above sea level, it offers a spectacular 360° panorama over much of the Orobic Alps.

Considered a true natural terrace overlooking Lake Como, it attracts families with children, even small ones, due to the easy hikes that allow you to reach the summit in about an hour and enjoy the breathtaking view.

The Sentiero Valtellina is a 114 km long cycling and walking trail that begins in Colico, in the Alto Lario, and passes through the splendid Pian di Spagna wildlife reserve, reaching the Adda River, following its banks, and continuing on to Bormio, in Valtellina.

A long route immersed in greenery, where you can admire the small villages and scenic beauty of Valtellina, and dotted with rest areas, bike rentals, and restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Indeed, one of the most fascinating itineraries in Lombardy, the Viandante is a scenic route halfway between the mountains and the eastern shore of Lake Como, taking hikers to Morbegno in Valtellina. A well-marked trail, accessible in all seasons and suitable for the whole family.

Approximately 70 km of mule tracks and paths wind through the heart of nature, passing ancient ruins of mills, castles and fortifications, myriads of churches and chapels, picturesque rustic stone houses, and spectacular terraces of vineyards and olive groves.

It’s no coincidence that Bellagio is called the Pearl of Lake Como. Perhaps it’s its unique location, right on the tip of the promontory that divides the two arms of the lake, effectively placing this town at the center of the basin. Or perhaps it’s its narrow streets, colorful houses, stairways, little shops, and restaurants that you can admire as you stroll through the center.

If in doubt, we’ll give you one reason to visit Bellagio: visit its historic villas, especially Villa Melzi: a culmination of neoclassical style and a marvelous English garden filled with statues. A masterpiece created with the collaboration of architects, artists, botanists, and decorators, it has hosted figures of the caliber of Napoleon and countless writers, composers, artists, and poets seeking inspiration over the years.

This village, perched on a small promontory, is considered by many to be the most beautiful on Lake Como, thanks to the blaze of bright colors and floral decorations that dot its streets and houses. Also located here is Castel Vezio, an ancient military stronghold from the late Middle Ages, which today offers not only one of the best views of the entire lake but also a safe haven for the falcons that dominate the skies in this area.

How to get to the castle? By foot, of course. And what better way to do so than by strolling along the so-called Paseo del Amor? The Lovers’ Walk is a magnet for couples seeking romance and newlyweds eager to have their photo taken on this arched metal walkway, anchored to the rock, overlooking the lake. Picturesque, certainly, but nothing like the timeless beauty of Villa Monastero and its botanical gardens.