In Vercurago, the places of Lucia and the Promessi Sposi

One of the presumed houses of the protagonist of The Betrothed, in the Lecco district of Acquate

Stronghold in the Lecco area with a Splendid view of Lake Garlate

  Do you think you know all there is to know about Brianza? Get ready to see it from another viewpoint, or  rather from five different viewing points.   Often, in our daily lives and from down in our streets, we can’t see just how much beauty is all around us. Perhaps that's why we are so fond of viewing points, those raised areas where it is possible to look differently at the world, and where everything seems to take on a whole new meaning. This is an itinerary with five different points from which to enjoy the natural scenery of Brianza, where you will see familiar settings, roads you have crossed, and peaks you have maybe just seen in your schoolbooks. Whether after a trip into the mountains or while out on a stroll along the lake, from up there in these panoramic viewing points between Milan, Monza, Como and Lecco, you will see this part of Lombardy from unique vantage points. Keep your eyes wide open, and off we go! 

Church of Saints Materno and Lucia, in Lecco’s district of Pescarenico

Setting off from the city and going up 1,400 metres? You can do this by leaving Milan or Lecco towards the Piani Resinelli. This large plateau stretches between Lecco, Abbadia Lariana, Mandello del Lario and Ballabio, and awaits you in Valsassina, afoot Mount Grignetta.   Here you can enjoy views over Lake Como from a unique perspective, as a 12-metre skywalk has recently been installed, like a balcony suspended in the void from which you can admire nature all around you. To go up, reach the Ballabio roundabout and follow the signs in the direction of Piani Resinelli. Here you can leave your car and climb up to Valentino Park. Or, if you choose to walk, you can park in Ballabio and walk for about half an hour. A word of advice? At sunrise and sunset, the views are even more impressive. Stargazing from the skywalkThe skywalk is accessible 24/7, even for a night hike. If you decide to venture out after dark, in order to tackle the route safely, remember to bring headlamps, which will allow you to have your hands free to firmly grasp the railings and handrail of the Belvedere skywalk, guaranteeing stability as you walk.Although the night trail may seem a little challenging, following these precautions will allow you to experience the hike in complete peace, under the wake of the stars. Walking suspended in the silence of the night, shrouded in darkness and illuminated only by glowing constellations, you will really feel as if you are touching the sky with your fingers.  

At 922 metres, Monte Barro stands like a solitary sentinel between the lakes and the Lecco Pre-Alps, dominating the Lecco province landscape with its unmistakable silhouette.    Although it is not one of the highest peaks in Lombardy, it is certainly one with the greatest charm, biodiversity and history. Its isolated and central location offers a privileged vantage point, making it a popular destination for hikers, photographers, nature lovers and curious visitors, in search of beauty and silence, even at night.  Climbing Monte Barro is immersing yourself in an amazing natural environment, a mosaic of woods, meadows, rocks and panoramic views. Start from Galbiate, where several well-marked paths lead to the summit, from Sentiero delle Creste, for more experienced hikers, to the botanical path, more accessible but equally fascinating.  One of the most scenic views of Monte Barro are the Prati della Corna, known to be an oasis of peace and relaxation. From here, the gaze embraces Lake Garlate and offers spectacular views of Resegone and the Orobian Pre-Alps. The perfect spot for pausing, reflecting, taking photographs or simply listening to the silence. Those who reach the summit at sunset or on clear nights will be amazed to see that Monte Barro is also the perfect place for celestial contemplation. Here, the horizon is wide, the eye runs free and, when the sun hides behind the mountains, the sky opens up in all its vastness. In summer, during the shooting stars period, the panoramic terrace turns into a small natural observatory: a perfect stage to experience the mountains surrounded by the starry sky.    

Paths and walks for everyone on Lake Como

A typical dish of the Brianza kitchen

The mountain Resegone with its unforgettable profile as a saw is silhouetted against Lecco and all Brianza.

A real mountain holiday. Chilling and fun for the whole family. Piani d'Erna and the most extreme climbs on the vertical rock walls of Manzoni's mountain

Just a few kilometres from Monza and just 30 km from Milan is Montevecchia, a village with just over 2,000 inhabitants in the province of Lecco.   This is the first hilly section you come to when you leave the hinterland, surrounded by the flourishing fields and mountain chains of the Comasche Prealps. Here you will find the Sanctuary of Beata Vergine del Monte Carmelo, which can be reached from the centre of the village, along a path deep in the countryside. There is a climb of 180 steps up the the sanctuary, but the breathtaking views of the Brianza area, with its rolling hills, vineyards, old villages and even as far as the capital of Lombardy make it worth the effort. In fact, it is so close to Milan that on a clear day, you can even see the city’s majestic skyscrapers.