Hiking at Lake Como from Esino Lario to Castello di Vezio and back to Varenna
With a well developed public transport system over water and with regular buses up and down the mountain roads, the area around Lake Como invites hikers to explore beautiful hiking trails with various levels of difficulty. The area is a year-round paradise for nature lovers and gourmets. Spring and autumn are particularly beautiful with their delicate colors and scents. Even in winter, it is nice to come here for a vacation. Every village has its own nativity scene (presepe) and beautiful traditions and celebrations.
What to Expect from Hiking around Varenna at Lake Como
Varenna is idyllically situated on the eastern shore of Lake Como. Opposite in the middle of the lake is Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como. Our hike takes you into the mountains above Varenna to the small town of Esino Lario and a visit to the Castello di Vezio. On the way you have beautiful views over the lake. A hike for the whole family.
Description of the Hike from Esino Lario to Castello di Vezio and back to Varenna at Lake Como
- Duration: 4 Hours, without a lunch break and detours
- Difficulty level: 1 out of 5
- Distance: 13 km
- Minimum altitude: Varenna 133m
- Maximum altitude: Monte Fopp 1085 m
- Total climb: 732 m
- Gradient (total): 1406m
Starting Point Varenna
The tour starts in Varenna. If you do not have your accommodation directly in Varenna, the town is easy to reach by train or by boat. The first part of the ascent is by public bus, which leaves from Varenna station and corresponds to the arrival of the train. The bus leaves from Varenna station via Perledo to Esino Lario. If there are no bus tickets available at the train station, the driver will still let the guests go and give them the opportunity to buy the tickets in the bar at Perledo. On a narrow serpentine road, the bus goes up to Esino Lario over a height difference of 700 m.
From Esino Lario to Monte Fopp
Once in Esino, it is worth getting off at the post office and taking a tour of the two districts of Cresi and Piaghe. From Esino Lario, numerous hiking trails start around the Grigna. After a coffee in one of the small bars, the hike begins on the little-used road to Ortanella (Strada per Ortanella). After about an hour you reach Ortanella, a plateau with agriculture and animal farming. Here the trattoria “Cacciatori” offers good lunch and homemade cakes, closed on Tuesdays. The Ristorante Cacciatori and the nearby Agriturismo also offer overnight accommodation. The extensive meadows and forests of Ortanella are a paradise for ornithologists. An easy ascent leads to the Ristorante around Monte Fopp at 1079 meters and offers a wonderful view over Lake Como with the Bellagio headland in the middle of the lake.
Descent via Castello di Vezio to Varenna
The path now runs practically parallel down the lake to Varenna. At a crossroads, you come to the hiking trail of the Viandate. To the right, continue around Monte Fopp and back to the Cacciatori. We keep left and descend from here. Spectacular views from several panorama points accompany the route. Just before you reach Varenna, there is a branch to Castello di Vezio. A visit to the lovingly restored defense castle is worthwhile. After about 15 minutes descent you will reach Varenna, the pretty holiday resort on Lake Como, which is obviously found in every English-language travel guide as well as in German.
Stages of the Hike
Esino Lario, 900 meters altitude
Esino Lario is a small community with about 800 inhabitants at over 900 meters above sea level. The picturesque village lies in the valley of the Esino stream on a kind of plateau and is surrounded by the mountain ranges of the Grigne (northern and southern Grigna). Esino has a long history. In Esino there is a small mountain museum with a mineral collection and objects from the Celtic ancestors. The entire territory of Esino extends from 550 to 2409 meters above sea level. In winter, the Cainallo ski station above Esino offers downhill skiing opportunities.
Castello di Vezio
The history of Vezio probably goes back to the Etruscan period, 800 BC. Later the Romans started building an extensive road network across the Alps and the Gallic allies were commissioned to protect the communication routes and to build defense systems against the barbarians. The defense castle of Vezio is built above to defend the port of Varenna. Objects and graves from the Iron Age were later found on the site of the castle.
Varenna
Varenna is a picturesque village in the middle of Lake Como. In the narrow, steep streets you will find small boutiques and restaurants with a wonderful lake view over all three arms of Lake Como.
Hiking Alone at the Como Lake
You are welcome to get inspired by our description of this hike. However, we recommend to not hike alone and do not go without an experienced local licensed guide. Mountains are dangerous and you can get lost or surprised by weather. Also, our description might have small errors, be incomplete or outdated. Therefore, we recommend you book the tour with us and let us take care of the organization.
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