Do you love trekking? We posted a selection of paths, starting from Via per Tondello 9, few minutes walking distance from Perledo centre. You can start following the trail by going there or cross the path in a place closer to your home.
We recorded the tracks, using the app for android “A-GPS Tracker”. There are lot of others app on the playstore (also on Apple store), you could use. Download the tracks, upload it on your device and walk!
Some notes:
the times shown in the table must be taken as an indication. Consider that we know these places perfectly. You may need a few minutes more or less, depending on your physical condition and trekking habits.
the data indicated relate only to the outward journey, starting from Casa Valeria or Riccardo’s House. Some routes lead you to altitude, others go down and others are circular routes with a mixed gradient. If the path is not circular, then, it’s necessary to consider the returning time. Calculate approximately a 25% decrease, if the route leads first to altitude, while a 50% increase if it starts going down. For example, if the time indicated is 1h and it starts going up, the return should be calculated in about 45 min (total time 1 h 45 min). If the same route starts going down, the return should be calculated in about 1 hour and 30 minutes (total time 2 h 30 min).
the level of difficulty is indicative and considers the physical effort due to length, height difference and possible difficulties of the path.
SYMBOL
MEANING
▲
Start uphill. The arrival point is located at a higher altitude than the starting point (Casa Valeria or Riccardo’s House)
▼
Start downhill. The point of arrival is at a lower level than the starting point (Casa Valeria or Riccardo’s House)
◉
Circular path. Same departure and arrival point (Casa Valeria or Riccardo’s House). Routes with mixed altitude
★
Easy path. Minimum value on a scale of 1 to 5 levels. Suitable for everyone
★★★★★
Difficult path. Maximum value on a scale from 1 to 5 levels. Only suitable for people with a good physical level of training
Pedestrian path that leads from Casa Valeria or Riccardo’s House to the center of Varenna. After about 350m you enter into the hamlet of Regolo. At this point the slope is accentuated and attention must be paid not to slip, especially in case of rain due to the bottom mainly made of smooth stone. Once you reach the hamlet of Olivedo, you head towards the ferry port and walking along the marvelous walkway on the lake, you reach the historical center of Varenna, one of the most fascinating villages of the lake.
Once you reach the hamlet of Regolo, after about 350m, you will come to a fork and keeping to the left head towards the hamlet of Vezio. The route is quite simple and alternates almost flat stretches with more challenging rips. You are walking along a piece of the “Sentiero del Viandante”, in a southerly direction, very famous and very popular by trekking lovers. In Vezio, you will have many choices to continue your walk: head to Varenna, or continue the “Viandante” to Fiumelatte along the lower variant, or the high variant towards Ortanella and, absolutely not to be missed, visit the castle.
Once you reach the small square of the church of the hamlet of Regolo, you begin to walk the path “Sentiero del Viandante” in a southerly direction to reach the hamlet of Vezio (for more details read the path 02). A Vezio continues towards Ortanella, on the high variant of the “Sentiero del Viandante”. Along the muletrack you will see the fork for Esino and for Ortanella. Overall a not very demanding walk. Once at the cross, the view of the lake you will enjoy is really exciting!
Once you reach the small square of the church of the hamlet of Regolo, you begin to walk the path “Sentiero del Viandante” in a southerly direction to reach the hamlet of Vezio (for more details read the path 02). From here, continue towards Ortanella, on the high variant of the “Sentiero del Viandante”, to climb towards the cross of Mount Fopp (path 03). Along the muletrack at the first fork don’t follow for “Esino Direttissima” but continue till the second fork and follow for “Esino” (red pannel). From this point on, the slope becomes less pronounced. The path is easy and very beautiful, but little frequented and with some exposed stretches. Near Esino, follow a stretch of path alongside the stream. At the next junction, not very evident, keep to the left and with the last climb you reach Esino Lario downtown.
05. La sorgente di Fiumellatte (Sentiero del Viandante)
Description
Once you reach the small square of the church of the hamlet of Regolo, you begin to walk the path “Sentiero del Viandante” in a southerly direction to reach the hamlet of Vezio (for more details read the path 02). In a few minutes you will cross the small village with a medieval atmosphere, and then begin a descent until you cross the Via Roma in Varenna. Continue up to 2.9 Km, where you will meet a double close-up crossroads. At this point, leave the Sentiero del Viandante and, keeping to the right, after about 500m you will come across the source of the Fiumelatte. This seasonal river, active from April to October, is one of the shortest waterways in Italy, only 400m and owes its name to the white color that its waters assume in the short and steep descent.
This trekking is entirely part of the “Sentiero del Viandante” and you walk along it in a northerly direction. After the first 450m the path enters the road, skirting a group of houses first, then the black Varenna marble quarry. The view of the lake is wonderful and the quarry wall is really impressive; only flaw is the rare passage of some cars. After walking for about 500m on asphalt, the trail continues to cross woods, stretching along the coast of the mountain that runs along the lake. A gentle descent of 3.2 km will take you to the center of Bellano, allowing you first to admire some small glimpse of the famous Orrido!
07. Ortanella – Prato San Pietro (sentiero del Viandante)
Description
Once you reach the small square of the church of the hamlet of Regolo, you begin to walk the path “Sentiero del Viandante” in a southerly direction to reach the hamlet of Vezio (for more details read the path 02). From here, continue towards Ortanella, on the high variant of the “Sentiero del Viandante”, to climb towards the cross of Mount Fopp (path 03). Overcome the cross, continue on the path till Ortanella and than 15 minutes more till Prato San Pietro, always following the signals “Sentiero del Viandante”. In Prato San Pietro you will find a small church and a green with some benches where you can take a rest and enjoy the incredible view over the lake. If you have more energy you can can continue over the “Sentiero del Viandante” till Lierna
On the maps you will find a slightly different route than the one we propose. This is to give you the possibility of leaving and arriving directly at Casa Valeria or Riccardo’s House. It is an easy but long path. We recorded it without stopping, but the advice is to take at least 15-20 minutes, to visit each village you pass through: taste the ancient atmosphere of these small blocks of flats, with their vegetable gardens, stone houses, small and narrow streets and try to imagine what mountain rural life could have been like a few centuries ago. The tour begins in the hamlet of Tondello, where Casa Valeria & Riccardo’s House are located. Go up to the hamlet of Bologna and then cross it the hamlets of Gisazio, Regoledo, Cestaglia, Gittana, Olivedo, Vezio, Regolo, Perledo, closing again in Tondello. Do not rush, take the whole day and you will receive unique emotions.
The walk begins with a challenging climb of about 10 minutes that from Casa Valeria or Riccardo’s House, leads you to the “Bosco delle Streghe”. At the wood, meet the first fork and keeping to the right, walk for about 200 m. At the next fork, turn left. From here a beautiful mule track, surrounded by greenery, will lead you to the hamlet of Bologna. Once at the church, you can sit on the benches of the square and enjoy a wonderful view of the lake.
The walk begins with a challenging climb of about 10 minutes that from Casa Valeria or Riccardo’s House, leads you to the “Bosco delle Streghe”. At the wood, meet the first fork and keep the left. The path, continues until the end, completely immersed in the green of the forest. If you want to, about half way there is a deviation of about 100 meters that leads you to a water source. Following you will find several deviations, always marked, apart from the last, where you will have to keep the left. Once at Portone, you will be in the farthest hamlet of Perledo.
A terrace at 1300 m altitude, with a spectacular 360 ° view. You can admire Lake Como, and its island (Isola Comacina). Lake Lugano and Porlezza. The Alps and the pre-Alps, the Esino valley and the Valsassina valley. A view of the Po valley and the Apennines. A look up Esino Lario, Vezio, Varenna, Bellaggio, Menaggio, la Tremezzina, Dervio, Perledo. An impressive show two hours of walk from Casa Valeria or Riccardo’s House. The path is easy, but the steep gradient must be overcome in a short distance (about 1000 m), makes it suitable only for those who have a good physical training and are used to walking on the mountains.
Easy path but the steep gradient must be overcome in a short distance (about 700 m), makes it suitable only for only for those accustomed to demanding walks. Arrived you will find: small chapel in memory of the fallen soldiers, a wonderful view from the top of the lake and a large lawn. Lie down on the grass for a sunbath and eat your favourite sandwich.
