STAGE 2
Path of the Wayfarer: from Lierna to Varenna / Vezio
The second stage of the Sentiero del Viandante is the most challenging of all and takes us from the municipality of Lierna to that of Varenna, which can be reached by following two different routes: a Variante Bassa , which descends towards the lake, and a Variante Alta which goes up towards the mountain, more panoramic but also more intense, both in terms of altitude difference and type of route.
The two paths then rejoin at Varenna .
Low variant
General informations
- Departure location: Lierna railway station (LC)
- Length: approximately 9.5 kilometers
- Difference in altitude: approximately +655 metres
- Duration: approximately 3 and a half hours
Lierna railway station, travel along Provincial Road 72 for a stretch and continue remaining close to the lake towards the center of Castello.
You then go up the steps towards Ronco , where the path begins which, moving away from the lake, rises to altitude and leads to the houses of Còria (780 m), the highest point of this stretch.
Just before reaching Còria the panorama opens onto the Bellagio , which separates the two branches of Lake Como .
From here, entering the deep Val Vacchera , the path enters the woods and becomes narrower and steeper ( at one point you use a fixed rope that acts as a handrail ), offering spectacular views, before returning to descend gently towards the lake.
Final part of stage 2
In the final part of the stage, approaching the municipality of Varenna, you go along the highway for a stretch and then continue along the path until you reach the source of the Fiumelatte , considered the shortest watercourse in Italy ( only 250 m from source until it flows into the lake ).
Curiosity: it is precisely its milky-white foaming waters that gave this watercourse the name Fiumelatte.
Before reaching Varenna the path climbs rapidly until it reaches the houses and castle of Vezio (360 m), which stands on a rocky spur and is a worthy finale for this stage.
From Vezio you descend towards the center of Varenna and its train station following a cobbled road.
If you happen to travel along it in the months of April and May you will find an abundant flowering of wild garlic, very beautiful to see and which you will certainly not miss given the intense smell it gives off!
Before reaching the train station it is a must to visit the enchanting village of Varenna and take its Lovers' Walk .
We'll leave you some photos later.
What to see in this stage
- core Lierna Castle
- Fiumelatte springs
- Vezio Castle and its village
- village of Varenna
High variant
General informations
- Departure location: Lierna railway station (LC)
- Length: approximately 10.5 kilometers
- Difference in altitude: approximately +800 metres
- Duration: approximately 4 hours
We start from the Lierna train station and go up towards the hamlet of Genico (320m) following a cobbled street.
Photo by Manuela Brunello – Road to Lombardy
From here the route continues through the chestnut grove and becomes gentler until it reaches the meadows of Alpe Mezzedo (873 m) and its ice house, near which it is possible to enjoy magnificent views of the lake.
Another uphill stretch and shortly after you come to the crossroads for the beautiful Romanesque church of San Pietro (990m) located in an extremely panoramic position over the entire lake and the culminating point of the climb of this stage.
Continue at altitude following the comfortable, almost flat path that leads to Ortanella (950 m).
Photo by Manuela Brunello – Road to Lombardy
From here you continue along a dirt road and once you have passed Mount Fopp the long descent begins in the woods up to the rocky spur on which the Vezio Castle , interspersed with truly stupendous panoramic views of the lake: from the tip of the Lariano Triangle with the promontory of Bellagio in the foreground which divides the two branches of Lake Como, with the view from above of the villages of Varenna and Menaggio , on the Como side of the lake.
When you find yourself in the woods, look around and admire the wonders that nature offers you!
In spring you will certainly find trees dotted with yellow: these are the laburnums, which promptly color the woods on the slopes of the Lombardy lakes every year.
Leaving the woods, first follow a stretch of road and then the path until you reach the Vezio castle, with its famous watchtower.
If you have time available, don't miss a visit to the village and the castle.
Photo by Manuela Brunello – Road to Lombardy
From Vezio you descend towards the center of Varenna and its train station following a cobbled road.
If you happen to travel along it in the months of April and May you will find an abundant flowering of wild garlic, very beautiful to see and which you will certainly not miss given the intense smell it gives off!
From here the route joins the Variante Bassa and a steep mule track descends towards the historic center of Varenna and its enchanting lakeside promenade.
What to see in this stage
- village of Genico, hamlet of Lierna;
- Croce del Brentalone and Alpe Mezzedo;
- Vezio Castle and its village;
- village of Varenna;
Conclusion
We thank the author Manuela Brunello , the blonde with the suitcase for the article, here is her personal Instagram profile. While Road to Lombardia is her page to discover some places to visit in Lombardy.
What do you find near this place
Guided excursion to Monte Pasquella
- San Fedele Intelvi
- starting from €20
Kayak tour along the wild Moregallo
- Valmadrera
- starting from €40
Comacina Island
- Bone
- Places and Villages
Vittoria 1894
- Griante
Pian dei Resinelli
- Abbadia Lariana
- Excursions and Trekking, Parks
Briisa de Ness
- Link
Martina refuge
- Bellagio
Gardens of Villa Melzi
- Bellagio
- Villas and Gardens
