Getting there
- Flights to Agno (LUG) 35 km from the start
- Flights to Orio al Serio (BG) (BGY) 40 km from the start
Treks / Italy
Sentiero del Viandante
Italy · Nearest city: Milan (also Lecco, Como)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days3–4
Distance≈ 45 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level
An old footpath along the eastern shore of Lake Como from Lecco to Colico, through villages, chestnut woods and lake views.
Fitness
Moderate
Best seasonApril to October
Watch out: Some stretches follow roads. Trains along the lake make it easy to shorten stages.
Why people choose it
It's a gentle, very Italian walk: old stone paths above Lake Como, lunch in lakeside villages, and a train always nearby.
What makes it different
- Lake views all day
- Villages with cafés and ferries
- Easy to shorten with trains
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Rules vary by region and park. Bivouacs are often tolerated high in the mountains for one night; camping in valleys and parks is usually restricted.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (71.4 km) Route variant Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Abbadia Lariana → Varenna → Bellano → Colico
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: April to October.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Milan.
- Trains or buses reach the trailhead, so you don't need a car.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: April to October
March to May
Spring
The best time for most people: green hills, wildflowers and comfortable temperatures.
Bring
- Light layers
- Sun hat
- A light rain jacket for showers
June to August
Summer
Hot, often above 30°C, with little shade. Start at dawn and rest in the afternoon. Fire risk can close paths.
Bring
- 2–3 litres of water
- Sun hat and long sleeves
- Electrolytes
September to November
Autumn
Warm sea and settled weather in early autumn, with the first storms arriving later.
Bring
- Rain jacket from October
- Light layers
- Headlamp as days shorten
Be ready for
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
What you'll see
9 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Sentiero del Viandante
Photo credits: Sentiero del Viandante by Luca Casartelli, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Varenna by DD991, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Abbadia Lariana by The original uploader was Bocemandello at Italian Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Varenna skyline from ferry by Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; View of Bellano by Tournasol7, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Lecco lakefront, May by Jwslubbock, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Monte Legnoncino seen from Casera Alpe Camaggiore by Kaitu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Lierna Alpe di Lierna P6A9311 by Bobo11, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Comer See-Villatico - panoramio - Fuchs Robert by Fuchs Robert, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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