Sentiero del Viandante

The Sentiero del Viandante (Traveler's Path) follows ancient mule tracks along the eastern shore of Lake Como through Lombardy's Lecco Province, running roughly 130 kilometres in total from Lecco north to Sorico. The most popular and scenic stage links Abbadia Lariana with Varenna, a 22-kilometre section that hikers usually break into shorter legs. Trailhead access is exceptionally easy because the route shadows the Milan-Tirano railway: walkers can start or finish at the stations of Lecco, Abbadia Lariana, Mandello del Lario, Lierna, Varenna-Esino, Bellano or Colico, making point-to-point days simple without a car. Parking is available near most lakeshore stations, and no permit is required. Underfoot the path mixes cobbled mule tracks, dirt and forest trail, with some stepped and stony sections; the route undulates between roughly lake level and around 600 metres, so cumulative elevation adds up across a day even though no single climb is severe. Chestnut woods and olive terraces give intermittent shade, while open balconies above the water offer little cover in midday heat. Landmarks along the way include the Romanesque church of San Giorgio above Mandello, the hamlet of Vezio with its medieval castle above Varenna, and constant panoramas across the lake to the Grigne massif. Drinking fountains appear in the villages the path threads through, and bars and trattorie in Mandello, Lierna and Varenna provide refreshment and natural turn-around points; there are no high mountain refuges since the trail stays low. The route is signed with distinctive red-and-white waymarks and the historic 'Viandante' logo. Because the path repeatedly drops into and climbs out of lakeside towns, hikers can shorten or bail out at almost any station, catching a train back to their starting point. Spring brings wildflowers and flowing streams, while autumn turns the chestnut forests gold; midsummer can be hot and humid on the exposed balcony sections.