Category Archives: Walks

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 | Leave a comment

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 | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Folklore, Places of interest, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged bears, cavargna, deer, ecology, garzeno, sasso del lupo, valle albano, valsassina, viandante, werewolves, wild boar, wolves | 3 Comments

Argegno to Colonno

Posted on January 2, 2021 by comocompanion

Argegno to Colonno. The hike from Argegno to Colonno via Pigra is one of the most scenic routes on the lake. Continue reading →

Posted in Itineraries, Lake, Uncategorized, Walks | Tagged Alpette, Antica Strada Regina, Argegno, Camoggia, Colonno, Corniga, Hikes, Pigra, San Zeno, Walks, waterfalls | 2 Comments

A Circular Tour of Cardina on Monte Olimpino

Posted on November 13, 2020 by comocompanion

Cardina is one of very few areas within Como where you can take a pleasant countryside walk while staying entirely within the city’s limits. This has recently become quite an advantage since the imposition of ‘Red Zone’ anti-Covid regulations in Lombardy In spite of being within the city, Cardina feels very rural particularly when you venture onto its secondary paths. Continue reading →