Hiking Trails Lake Como Italy: How to Walk the Scenic Greenway
Lake Como is typically introduced through its greatest hits: grand villas, ferry rides, and bustling lakefront promenades. I’ve done that version many times. This walk gave me something else entirely.
One of the most rewarding hiking trails Lake Como Italy offers isn’t dramatic in a headline way. Instead, the Lake Como Greenway moves quietly through small towns, stone passageways, and residential corners where the lake feels lived-in rather than staged.
I’ve lived in northern Italy for ten years and regularly visit Lake Como both as a day trip from Milan and as a longer stay on the lake. What made this walk stand out wasn’t a single viewpoint—it was the accumulation of small moments: villages I’d never bothered to stop in before, meals timed just right, and paths that felt designed for locals rather than visitors.
If you’re looking for hiking trails Lake Como Italy travelers often overlook, the Lake Como Greenway shows a slower, more grounded side of the lake.
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Why this works in the trip
The Lake Como Greenway works beautifully as either a day trip from Milan or as a quieter contrast day while staying on the lake. Among the hiking trails on Lake Como Italy, this one succeeds because it connects places rather than isolating you in nature.
You’re not hiking away from towns—you’re threading through them. That makes the Lake Como Greenway especially appealing if you like walking with purpose, stopping for food, and seeing how places fit together.
Where you stay on Lake Como plays a big role in how easily a walk like this fits into your plans, especially if you want to combine walking days with ferry rides or relaxed evenings by the water. I break down locations and hotel styles in detail in my guide to where to stay on Lake Como.
Getting there
I started by taking the train to Como Lago Nord station, which is always my preferred arrival point. It’s only steps from the bus terminal (noted on bus timetables as Como Stazione Autolinee), making the transition simple.
While buses also stop at Como San Giovanni (noted on bus timetables as Stazione S. Giovanni), that station can be extremely crowded in peak season—sometimes to the point where boarding isn’t even guaranteed. Starting from Como Lago Nord gives you a much better chance of getting a seat.
Schedules change seasonally, so it’s best to check the bus site directly for timetables. The route C110 is generally the most frequent; you’ll find it in the section titled extraurbane, C10, Como-Argegno-Menaggio.
Como Town
If you have time before or after the walk, Como itself is worth lingering in, especially if this is your first visit to the lake. I’ve pulled together my favorite walks, views, and cultural stops in things to do in Como town, which pairs nicely with a day spent on one of the best hiking trails Lake Como Italy offers.
From Como, I took the bus to Lenno. This is where the Lake Como Greenway splits into two directions. One route continues roughly seven kilometers toward Cadenabbia, while the other runs about 3.6 kilometers toward Colonno. I chose the shorter route to Colonno.
Wandering and first impressions
Lenno is a gentle place to start. The Lake Como Greenway is exceptionally well marked here, with circular emblems embedded directly into stone walkways, silver plaques underfoot, and clear yellow-and-blue directional signs at every turn. You never feel like you’re guessing.
Before setting off, I explored Lenno’s older village center, following stone paths through quiet residential streets. Even among the hiking trails Lake Como Italy is known for, this one immediately feels integrated into daily life rather than set apart from it.
Views and early reveals
Just outside Lenno, the path passes near Villa del Balbianello, one of the lake’s most recognizable estates. I’ve visited before, so this time I kept moving, letting the walk itself stay front and center.
Soon after, you pass Villa Balbiano, reconstructed in the seventeenth century and now known for private events and weddings. While this walk deliberately keeps the villas at a distance, they still shape the landscape. If you want to spend more time with that side of the lake, I’ve covered it in depth in my guide to Lake Como villas.
From here, the views open toward Isola Comacina, and the path begins its steady pattern of climbing and descending, constantly shifting your perspective—one of the reasons this remains one of the most satisfying hiking trails Lake Como Italy has available.
Cultural moments along the way
As I continued toward Ossuccio, I passed a small stone church before stopping at the Chiesa dei Santi Giacomo e Filippo. Inside, the frescoes offer a quiet pause from the walk and a reminder of how layered these villages are.
Another small highlight was the La Velarca, a preserved wooden houseboat. If you arrive during opening hours, it’s a quick but charming stop that adds context without pulling you out of the flow of the walk.
This is where the Lake Como Greenway really shows its character. It’s not a single trail but a carefully stitched route through stone alleys, village lanes, and short wooded sections, all designed to keep you off busy roads while still moving through real neighborhoods—something that sets it apart from many hiking trails Lake Como Italy lists tend to highlight.
Food temptations and detours From Hiking Trails Lake Como Italy
At one point, I noticed signs for Al Vecchia Bacucco, perched high above the lake. The menu stopped me in my tracks: pizzoccheri della Valtellina, one of my favorite dishes and surprisingly hard to find outside its home region. It was still too early to stop, so I kept going, but it’s a memorable option if your timing works.
This is one of the things I love most about hiking trails Lake Como Italy like this—food decisions become part of the walk rather than something scheduled around it.
Lunch in Sala Comacina
Looking down toward Sala Comacina, I decided to leave the path. A small metal staircase marked “Accesso Via 2” drops steeply into town, leading you directly into the heart of the village.
As I arrived, wooden boats were pulling up to the square, delivering diners straight to lunch. I stopped at Locanda La Tirlindana, set right on the water with tables overlooking the lake.
The menu is compact and confident: mascarpone-and-lemon ravioli, tagliolini with shrimp, pesto and nuts, fresh lake fish like trout and branzino, and a handful of meat dishes. Four primi, four secondi—everything freshly made and well executed.
If you time your walk right, this lunch stop becomes one of the most satisfying moments on the Lake Como Greenway.
Rejoining the path and reaching Colonno
After lunch, I explored Sala Comacina briefly, passing bakeries, cafés, and the elegant grounds of the MUSA hotel, which also has a beautiful terrace if you want an aperitivo with a view.
To avoid walking along a busy road, I backtracked slightly and climbed back up to rejoin the Lake Como Greenway. The final stretch toward Colonno delivers some of the most beautiful views of the day, looking down over small villages and pastel-colored houses tucked into the hillside.
Entering Colonno, the path narrows into car-free stone passageways before dropping right down to the water’s edge. In places, you’re almost overhanging the lake, trying not to get splashed as waves lap against the stone. This is where the greenway effectively ends.
Onward travel- After Hiking Trails Lake Como ITaly
I missed my bus in Colonno and made the mistake of walking along the main road to Argegno, which I wouldn’t recommend. If you wait for the bus or ferry instead, Argegno makes a pleasant final stop and offers more restaurant options, especially if you’re planning a later lunch.
I opted for the ferry back to Como, which is one of the most beautiful stretches of water on the lake. You pass smaller villages and elegant villas before docking directly across from Como Lago Nord station, making the return to Milan easy and scenic.
This route also works beautifully if you’re planning a Milan to Lake Como day trip and want the journey itself to feel like part of the experience.
Why This Elevates a Trip to Lake Como
Walking the Lake Como Greenway felt like slipping behind the scenes of the lake. Instead of moving between the places everyone talks about, I found myself passing through villages that felt quietly lived in—stone paths worn smooth, houses clustered close, and moments where the only people I passed were locals going about their day.
Traveling in mid-October helped, but more than that, this route stands out among hiking trails Lake Como Italy for how naturally it pulls you into everyday life.
I had the space to really notice the architecture, the way the paths curve through the landscape, and how the lake reveals itself in small, unexpected ways. Watching wooden boats pull into the square to deliver diners to Locanda La Tirlindana—no sign, no announcement—was one of those moments that stays with you.
It felt personal, almost private, like something you’re meant to stumble upon rather than seek out. It’s exactly the kind of place and experience I know I’ll bring friends and family back to next season.
FAQs: Hiking Trails Lake Como Italy
Is the Lake Como Greenway one of the best hiking trails Lake Como Italy offers?
Yes, especially if you’re looking for a walk that combines scenery with real village life. Unlike more vertical or remote routes, the Lake Como Greenway moves through towns, historic paths, and lakeside viewpoints, making it one of the most rewarding hiking trails Lake Como Italy has for cultural walkers.
How difficult is the Lake Como Greenway?
This is a moderate walk rather than a technical hike. Among hiking trails Lake Como Italy is known for, the Greenway is very approachable, but it does include stairs, uneven stone paths, and gentle elevation changes. Comfortable walking sneakers are essential.
Can you do hiking trails Lake Como Italy as a day trip from Milan?
Absolutely. The Lake Como Greenway works very well as a day trip from Milan thanks to easy train, bus, and ferry connections. It’s one of the easiest hiking trails Lake Como Italy offers to combine with public transportation.
What’s the best time of year to walk the Lake Como Greenway?
Spring and fall are ideal. I walked it in mid-October and had long stretches to myself, which made it feel especially personal. Summer is still possible, and great if you start off earlier in the morning; however you’ll have more company on some hiking trails Lake Como Italy during peak season, particularly near well-known towns.
Are there places to stop for food along the route?
Yes, and that’s part of what makes this walk special. Unlike more isolated hiking trails Lake Como Italy has, the Greenway passes through villages with restaurants, cafés, and bakeries. Timing matters, as lunch service in Italy runs on a fairly tight window (target to be seated between 12.30 pm and 2:30 pm).
Is the Lake Como Greenway well marked?
Very well marked. The route uses clear signage, embedded path markers, and directional signs through towns, making it one of the easiest hiking trails Lake Como Italy for independent walkers to follow without a guide.
Can you shorten or customize the walk?
Yes. One of the advantages of hiking trails Lake Como Italy like the Greenway is flexibility. You can choose shorter sections, change direction, or finish with a bus or ferry depending on time, energy, and interest.
Keep exploring Lake Como — and beyond
If walking the Lake Como Greenway sparked an interest in longer routes and more open landscapes, it’s worth looking north to Colico. I wrote a dedicated post on Colico because it offers direct access to the Sentiero Valtellina, a scenic path that’s ideal for both walking and biking, with wide views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It’s a very different way to experience the region — less about hopping between villages, more about covering ground and seeing how Lake Como connects to the valleys beyond.
Check out my other posts, covering Lake Como including things to do in Como town, dive deeper into the shoreline’s architectural legacy through Lake Como villas, or plan your base more deliberately using where to stay on Lake Como.
And if Lake Como is just one chapter of a broader itinerary, the best day trips from Milan will help you keep that sense of discovery going well beyond the lake.
