The best routes in Lombardy: Como, Maggiore, Garda and Iseo lakes

ByTravesía Pirenaica
Isole di Brissago, Lago Maggiore / Photo: Acp [CC BY-SA 3.0] Wikimedia Commons
Isole di Brissago, Lago Maggiore / Photo: Acp [CC BY-SA 3.0] Wikimedia Commons

Formed by ancient glaciers and surrounded by breathtaking cliffs, the Lago di Garda". has a superb network of well-marked hiking trails that explore alpine ridges and peaks, as well as ancient stepped paths to fascinating industrial archaeological sites. The south bank has a very Mediterranean flavour, lined with olive groves and vineyards.

The beautiful Lake Iseo is one of Italy's best kept secrets. Well out of sight until you reach its shores, it has an attractive mountainous island, aptly named Monteisola.

The picturesque lake Maggiore has been a source of inspiration for writers and visitors for centuries. Blessed with a mild climate and an enchanting position near the Alps, it attracts throngs of admirers to its shores and islands adorned with sumptuous villas and beautiful ornamental gardens, a legacy of the late Renaissance.

Always magnificent, the splendours of the Lake Como were handed down by artists of the stature of Pliny and Strabo in Roman antiquity. Visitors from overseas are attracted by the breathtaking scenery and romantic atmosphere, as well as the numerous villas and magnificent gardens, where beautiful camellias and rhododendrons spill out onto the terraces.

Practical guide

When to go?

Spring through to autumn are best, although the lakes' mild climate makes them suitable for walking all year round. Summer solstice is best for mountain trails, while in winter, when snow can cover the high peaks, you should stick to hiking on lower trails along the lakeshore.

Cities & Services

  • Stresa, Verbania, Cannobio in the Lake Maggiore.
  • Como, Cadenabbia, Menaggio, Gravedona, Varenna, Bellagio en Lake Como.
  • Malcesine, Riva del Garda, Limone, Gargnano in the Lake Garda.
  • Iseo and Lovere in the Lake Iseo.

Not to be missed

  • Ferry trips combined with hiking.
  • Val Cannobina ancient pilgrimage route.
  • High altitude sanctuaries (Sacro Monte in Maggiore and San Martino in Como).
  • Monteviasco without a car.
  • Charming villas and historic islands.
  • Historic Strada Regia on Lake Como.
  • Stresa cable car to the panoramic Mottarone mountain.
  • As a funicular to Brunate.
  • Walk along the Lake Como Greenway.
  • Sentiero del Viandante on the shores of Lake Como.
  • Stroll through Bellagio
  • Malcesine and the cable car to Monte Baldo for breathtaking views and wild flowers.
  • Monte Telegraph.
  • Campione and the cannons.
  • Lemon orchards in Limone and on the lake shore.
  • Riva di Garda's spectacular Strada del Ponale.
  • Monte Brione and the historic military forts.
  • Old stone staircase in Tremosine.
  • Monteisola and Lovere del Lago d'Iseo

The routes

Lake Maggiore

/ Stresa to Belgirate / From Mottarone to Baveno / Monte Orfano and Lake Mergozzo / Cavandone in Monterosso / Garras Lazo Sanctuary / Walk through the villages above Cannero / The Cannero-Cannobio Crossing / Monte Carza / Val Cannobina / Cannobio-San Bartolomeo in the Montibus Circuit / Monteviasco / Sasso del Ferro /

Lake Como

  • Excursions // Moltrasio to Laglio / Pigra to Colonno / Columnnum to Cadenabbia on the Via Verde / San Martino Circuit / La Boca di Nava Crossing / Crocetta / Val Sanagra / Refuge Menaggio and Monte Grona / San Domenico and the Sanctuary of Breglia / Gravedona to Domaso / Domaso to Gera Lario / Walk around Bellagio / Belvedere of Monte Nuvolone / Monte San Primo / La Strada Regia from Pognana Lario to Torno / Brunate up to the Torno trail /
  • Wayfarer's path // Stage 1: from Abbadia Lariana to Lierna / Stage 2: from Lierna to Vezio / Stage 3: from Vezio to Dervio / Stage 4: from Dervio to Piantedo / Stage 3: from Vezio to Dervio / Stage 4: from Dervio to Piantedo / Stage 4: from Dervio to Piantedo / Stage 4: from Dervio to Piantedo / Stage 4: from Dervio to Piantedo

Lake Garda

/ Valle delle Cartiere / Ermita di San Valentino / Campione a Pregasio / Campione a Pieve / Limone sul Garda and the Singol Valley / Monte Nodice and Pregasina / Strada del Ponale a Pregasina / The Venetian Bastion / Monte Brione / Torbole a Tempesta / Monte BaldoVentrar a San Michele / Monte Baldo: Cima delle Pozzette / Monte Baldo: Eremo SS Benigno e Caro / Monte Baldo: Circuito Rifugio Telegrafo / Monte Baldo: Costabella a Prada Alta / Torri del Benaco y Graffiti /

Lake Iseo

/ Punta Alta / San Giovanni Sanctuary / Thirtystep Horns / Monteisola and the Sanctuary of Ceriola /