Category Archives: Walks

Moltrasio’s stone and its ‘Ecomuseo’

Posted on February 15, 2025 by comocompanion

Moltrasio stone was the dominant building material used in and around Como from Roman days until the turn of the twentieth century. It is found at the heart of most buildings even if some may have then be adorned with a veneer of render or a dressing of Musso and Varenna marble. Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Culture, History, Lake, Places of interest, Sustainability, Walks | Tagged Careno, country crafts, dry stone walls, ecomuseo, marble, Moltrasio, proloco, Quarries, stone, Sustainability, tourism | 1 Comment

Fables, Legends and Folkore: A Walk to the Devil of Blevio and other Erratics

Posted on May 14, 2023 by comocompanion

The area around Blevio and Torno is particularly rich in glacial erratics and three of the larger and better known examples can be visited on or nearby the mountain path from Brunate to Monte Piatto, above Blevio and Torno. Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore, Itineraries, Places of interest, Walks | Tagged blevio, erratici, erratics, Folklore, Monte Piatto, Pietra Nairola, Pietra Pendula, sasso del lupo, Torno, Trovanti | Leave a comment

Overnight on the Via dei Monti Lariani

Posted on December 1, 2022 by comocompanion

The Via dei Monti Lariani follows the border with Switzerland running along the crest of the mountains above the western shores of the lake. This walk is one stage along the 124km route with a one night stopover at the Rifugio Venini. Continue reading →

Posted in Itineraries, Places of interest, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged Argegno, Bellagio, Como, Hiking, Lake Como, Monte Crocione, Rifugio, tourism, Venini, Via dei Monti Lariani, Walks | Leave a comment

Maslianico’s Smuggler Paths

Posted on August 9, 2022 by comocompanion

The Sentieri del contrabbando are three paths on the hillside of Monte Bisbino above Maslianico. Taking a walk on these paths invokes images of the area’s tragic past and of the many dramatic clandestine crossings through its high barbed wire border barrier. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged Bisbino, contraband, Madonna di Rongiana, Maslianico, Senterun, Smuggling, Ul Riz, Ul Terz, Walks | Leave a comment

The Road to Rome (via Como)

Posted on July 13, 2022 by comocompanion

The recent publishing of ‘La Via Francigena Renana’ marks the rediscovery and promotion of a long distance trail first recorded in Roman times that ran from the mouth of the Rhine in Rotterdam, over the Alps at Splugen, to the Po where it linked up with other trails to Rome. It offers a detailed guide to the sections passing by Como. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, History, Itineraries, Places of interest, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged alpine crossings, Ambra Garancini, Camminacittà, Cammino di San Pietro, Chiavenna, Chur, Coira, edicicloeditore, iubilantes, San Giovanni Pedemonte, Splugen, Thusis, trails, Via Francigena, Via Francigena Renana, Via Francisca, Via Mala, Via Regina, via spluga | 2 Comments

Moltrasio: The Power of Civic Pride

Posted on April 14, 2022 by comocompanion

Moltrasio, 10 kms from Como, is well worth a visit and the volunteers of the local Pro Moltrasio association have worked hard to ensure you get the best of what the town has to offer. Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Culture, Food, History, Itineraries, Lake, Places of interest, Walks | Tagged bellini, FAI, Imperialino, Moltrasina, Moltrasio, Pizzallo, Pro Moltrasio, Quarries, stone, Villa Passalacqua, Villa Salterio, waterfalls, Winston Churchill | 3 Comments

Walking Lake Como’s Wayfarer Way

Posted on September 9, 2021 by comocompanion

The Via del Viandante (Wayfarer’s Way) is a long distance trail that runs up the eastern leg of Lake Como from Abbadia Lariana to Colico. I undertook a 3 day excursion along its length and was dazzled by the variety and beauty of the area. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Itineraries, Lake, Places of interest, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged Abbadia, agriturismo, Bellano, Bologna, Corenno, Dervio, excursions, Lake Como, Le Grigne, lecco, Mandello, Somana, trekking, viandante, Walks | 2 Comments

The Romantic Era of Smuggling: A Game of Cat and Mouse on Lake Como

Posted on April 15, 2021 by comocompanion

The Romantic Era of Smuggling: A Game of Cat and Mouse on Lake Como. Smuggling was common along the entire length of Italy’s northern border but particularly prevalent around the lakes so much as to become a key element in local folklore. Continue reading →

Posted in crime, Culture, Folklore, History, Itineraries, Lake, People, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged Burlanda, Cigarettes, Cinto, coffee, Colonno, contraband, contrabbandieri, Davide Van De Sfroos, Domenica del Corriere, Erbonne, finanzieri, guardia di finanza, Il Cimino, Lanzo, Lezzeno, Ment, smugglers, Smuggling, spalloni, Switzerland, val d'intelvi | Leave a comment

Carate Urio to Moltrasio via Rifugio Bugone

Posted on February 20, 2021 by comocompanion

Carate Urio to Moltrasio via Rifugio Bugone. This walk, from lakeside to the crest of the mountains on the Via dei Monti Lariani and then down, is rewarding but not for the fainthearted. It takes you by 2 refuges where good mountain food is available. Continue reading →

Posted in Itineraries, Lake, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged bugone, Carate, La Culman, Moltrasio, Monte di Urio, Monte generoso, mountain walks, Murelli, Rifugio, Santa Marta, Tosnacco, Urio, Via Verde | 2 Comments

Lake Como’s Bears, Wolves … and Werewolves

Posted on February 7, 2021 by comocompanion

Lake Como’s Bears, Wolves … and Werewolves. Just by travelling 10 kms inland from the lake, you enter areas remote enough to support the repopulation of wolves and bears – and the continued propagation of ancient myth! Continue reading →