Walking Lake Como and Maggiore : Day walks and the Sentiero del Viandante trek in the Italian Lakes

From easy lakeside strolls and ferry-assisted walks to terraced mountainside rambles and panoramic summits, the Italian Lakes offer a remarkably varied walking landscape for all abilities. This guidebook describes 28 graded day walks ranging from 3 to 20km (2 to 12 miles), completable in 1 to 5 hours, plus the full 5-stage Sentiero del Viandante trek along Lake Como's eastern shore. Split between Lago Maggiore and Lago di Como with grades 1 to 3, routes cover everything from the Stresa cable car to panoramic Mottarone and the Lake Como Greenway to the historic Strada Regia. Highlights include high-altitude sanctuaries at Sacro Monte on Maggiore and San Martino on Como, the ancient pilgrim route through Val Cannobina, the car-less village of Monteviasco, and the Como funicular to Brunate. The Sentiero del Viandante, or Wayfarer's Path, is described in 5 stages covering 54km (34 miles) along the eastern shore of Lake Como between Lecco and Colico, making it an ideal multi-day addition to any visit. Sketch maps accompany every walk alongside detailed information on accommodation, public transport, wildlife, and practical guidance on combining ferry trips with walks across both lakes. The lakes' mild climate makes this a year-round walking destination, with lakeside walks accessible in winter and spring to autumn offering near-perfect conditions for exploring at any time.