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Route Rating Level 2 to Level 4

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Casual Inns
  • $3,298 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$770 for sgl. occ.)

Reserve early for the best available price. More Info

6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS
ROLLOVER DATES BELOW FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
ROLLOVER DATES ABOVE FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 2 lunches and 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

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Meet / Depart

Como, Italy/Como, Italy 

Special Interest

Culture & History, Fine Wine & Cuisine, Romance &/or Honeymoon

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Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
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Berkeley, CA 94710

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7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

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Italian Lakes Walking Vacations

Italian Lakes Hiking

The Charms of Lake Como

Experience the pleasures and surprises of the famous Italian Lakes region - from the Old-World charm and stunning scenery to hearty cuisine and hidden villages. Take heart-pumping hikes on cliffside footpaths and the mountain trails of Monte Generoso, delight in strolls on peaceful passerelle and savor spectacular views from high above the lakes in gondolas and chairlifts that bring you to alpine villages. After full days on your feet, relish in relaxing evenings spent dining on regional cuisine and slumbering in scenic, intimate hotels.

You are viewing the Classic Casual Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

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Day 1 Cernobbio

Meet in Como  Take the funicular to Brunate and hike the wooded shoreline of Lake Como Enjoy amazing views of the lake, mountains and colorful villas that dot the shoreline  Make your way to Cernobbio.  

Days 2-3 Varenna

Ferry to the exquisite Villa Carlotta then hike to Varenna, considered by some to be Italy's most romantic town Watch as an inspiring panorama of Lake Como unfolds before you Check out the Fiumelatte, the curious "river of milk," which flows only six months a year and is Italy's shortest river at 800 feet  Ferry to Bellagio, the "pearl of the lake"  Hike to Villa Melzi, one of Lake Como's grand estates  Enjoy lunch at a mountain restaurant and learn how local cheese is made.

Days 4-6 pellio

Ferry to Menaggio, shuttle to Argegno and then board a funicular to Pigra, 2,600 feet above Lake Como Revel in dramatic vistas of the lake Walk along wooded trails and through open meadows, passing tiny mountain hamlets en route to Pellio Tackle the challenging hike to 5,590-foot Monte Generoso, a former island that rose up from an extensive frozen sea during the last ice age, and behold a 360-degree panorama of the entire Italian Lakes region.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

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Guest Trip Reviews

This was so well organized. The trip leaders were fantastic. The itinerary was perfect, the option to do or not to do was great. The quality of the activities were amazing and the landscape was unforgettable. Truly, however, the team leaders were amazing, and so inspirational.
Honey Dubrovsky - Newport Coast, CA

More Reviews of this Trip

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Italian Lakes tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in Europe Italy, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe Italy walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy multisport tours click here.

Italian Lakes Hiking

IDYLLIC PANORAMAS: Casual Inns

Hotel Asnigo

Cernobbio (1 night): Set atop a hillside overlooking Lake Como, this charming hotel offers comfortable rooms with wonderful views, a swimming pool and La Terrazza restaurant.

Hotel du Lac

Varenna (2 nights): Step back in time at this lakeside hotel featuring wrought-iron balustrades, a flower-filled terrace and a welcoming atmosphere.

La Locanda del Notaio

Pellio (2 nights): An intimate family-run hotel reminiscent of an old country estate, nestled in a valley and surrounded by mountain peaks.

Italian Lakes Hiking Italian Lakes Hiking

Hotel du Lac

You are viewing the Classic Casual Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

Italian Lakes Hiking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Level 1  1 Route Option Available
  • 2.9 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels  2 to 3  2 Route Options Available
  • 4.4, 4.5 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain  
Day 3
  • Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
  • 2.4, 3.7, 6.6 miles
  • 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
  • 3.6, 7.5, 8.7 miles
  • 500 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 2 to 5 2 Route Options Available
  • 5, 8 miles
  • 1000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Level 1  1 Route Option Available
  • 3 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Italian Lakes Hiking Italian Lakes Hiking

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles