• Active & Green
    • Mountains
    • Villages

Family walks to put a spring in your step

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT
  1. Experiences in Lombardy
  2. Active & Green
  3. Family walks to put a spring in your step

September bids farewell to summer but still allows for a gentle transition from holiday to routine. 

Children gradually return to school, and the weekends continue to offer clear skies and ideal temperatures for family outings spent exploring the lakes and mountains.  In Lombardy, countless itineraries wind through the provinces, revealing hidden views and enchanting places in which to recharge your energy as you enjoy moments of relaxation in good company in the open air. Let's discover 6 of the most characteristic ones.

1. Pliniana Spring Walk (Bormio, SO)
Within the Stelvio National Park, sheltered by an artificial cave, lies the Pliniana Spring, a thermal spring known for its beneficial properties. It is surrounded by the romantic woodland flora of larches and mountain pines in the Parco dei Bagni di Bormio, located between the Bagni Vecchi and Bagni Nuovi. The 3-kilometre loop trail starts from the parking area of the Bagni Nuovi and, following signs for Fonte Pliniana, leads to this precious spring. The walk, relaxing and surrounded by nature, passes through scenic spots such as the small thermal waterfall. It is almost flat, lined with benches, and perfect for children, who will love the fairytale atmosphere and the chance, if they’re lucky, to spot ibex along the way.
2. Sentiero dei Borghi (San Pellegrino Terme, BG)
The charming Art Nouveau town of San Pellegrino Terme is surrounded by the Orobie Prealps, offering many trails of easy to medium difficulty. One of the most famous ones is the Sentiero dei Borghi, a loop trail of about 1 km. It can be accessed from the Vetta area of San Pellegrino Terme, which is reachable with the historic funicular railway, or from the town centre, although this adds an additional 400 metres of elevation gain. Along the route, which is well signposted and also suitable for younger children, though partially challenging, you can immerse yourself in the rural life of several villages that have preserved their ancient beauty in the mountains (Alino, Ca’ Boffelli, Vettarola, Ca’ Nova, and Sussia) and visit the Grotte del Sogno, which are of karst origin.
3. Penisola Olgiasca (Piona, LC)
The enchanting Olgiasca Peninsula emerges on Lake Lecco, offering panoramic views of the Alto Lario and the surrounding Prealps, and is home to the Abbey of Piona, an architectural gem in Romanesque-Lombard style and a scenic destination for a loop trail that starts from the municipality of Olgiasca. At the Church of San Filippo, you will find signs for trail no. 7, which, from the road to the forest, between dry stone walls and postcard views, reveals the impressive Sass Negher Cliff. With minimal elevation gain, the route continues downhill towards the Piona lake, along a flat stretch leading to the Abbey, where the priory, terrace, and cloister are steeped in a spiritual, tranquil atmosphere. A panoramic cobblestone road will keep you company on the return.
4. Percorso dei Fontanili (Capralba, CR)
The northern part of the Cremona province is home to a green oasis of a beauty only seen in fairy-tales: Parco dei Fontanili di Capralba. Spanning 750 hectares, it hosts thirteen ancient water springs, structures dating back to the eleventh and twelfth centuries designed to channel spring waters and irrigate the surrounding fields. Today, these springs line eight different trails of increasing length and difficulty, perfect for a family outing. The bike paths make this itinerary ideal for cyclists, but the shorter routes are also accessible on foot. Among these, the Percorso Verde (Green Trail) is a 10 km loop that circles between Fontanile delle Canne and Fontanile di Farinate, where you can also see the historic Mill.
5. Walk in the Royal Gardens (Monza, MB)
The Royal Gardens of Monza frame the splendid Villa Reale, nestled in the green heart of the city's park, and offer families a regenerating walk just steps away from the historic centre. As you stroll alongside the Serrone, behind the famous rose garden adjacent to the Villa, you will quickly find yourself immersed in the 8th-century English garden, where monumental trees and shrubs blend with relics of classical architecture. From the temple in the centre of the pond to the Grotto of Neptune, the Royal Gardens provide a fairy-tale setting, with flowing water and green expanses, and can be explored without a set route. The 40 hectares of parkland also host numerous other trails to choose from.
6. Riserva della Fagiana (Ponte Vecchio di Magenta, MI)
A cradle of rich natural biodiversity, the Ticino Park is a Lombard treasure a variety of trails. Among them, the Riserva Naturale della Fagiana, located between Magenta, Boffalora Ticino, and Robecco sul Naviglio, is particularly worth a visit. Once home to a famous hunting reserve, today it serves as a sanctuary for local species such as roe deer, sturgeon, and marble trout. To protect the wildlife, this trail is not accessible to dogs, but it is perfect for children and suitable for all ages due to its lack of elevation changes. Departing from the Centro Parco La Fagiana in Ponte Vecchio di Magenta, in just over half an hour by car from Milan, you will find yourself immersed in a refreshing green space.

On the same topic

Show all

Valsassina and the Grigne

From one-day trips that anyone can enjoy, to climbing on the vertical walls of the Grigne, through to splendid hikes leading up to the mountain refuges
  • Active & Green
Valsassina and the Grigne

The High Route of Valmalenco – 6th stage

Rif. Marinelli Bombardieri (2813 m) - Bocchetta di Caspoggio (2983 m) - A. Fellaria e Rif. Bignami (2382 m)
  • Active & Green
Passaggio dalla bocchetta di Caspoggio

Gardens Sondrio

In the green heart of Lombardy, in parks and gardens a path among thousands of species of plants
  • Active & Green
Gardens Sondrio, the alluring face of Lombardy

When picnics become chic

Five elegant picnic ideas in Lombardy, with delightful scenery and elegant food and wine experiences.
  • Active & Green
When picnics become chic

6 slopes for the last skiing of the season

Bormio, Colere, Adamello Ski, Livigno, Madesimo and Santa Caterina Valfurva, ideal destinations for a ski-in, ski-out Easter
  • Active & Green
6 slopes for the last skiing of the season

The joy of running

Enjoy your training in Cremona
  • Active & Green
The joy of running

Brabbia Marsh

Brabbia Nature Reserve: the most important wetland in Lombardy.
  • Active & Green
Palude Brabbia: a protected area

Between lake and mountains the 10 most beautiful trees in the Province of Como

From the neoclassical villas to the wildest forests, the landscapes of the Lake Como region and the trees they contain enchant with their variety.
  • Active & Green
Between lake and mountains the 10 most beautiful trees in the Province of Como

Ice Skating

Ice skating enthusiasts will find three tracks in the area around Sondrio and in Valmalenco
  • Active & Green
Ice Skating

Suzzara forest

An urban forest in the Municipality of Suzzara, created to recreate an environment typical of the Po Valley of the past.
  • Active & Green
Suzzara Forest

Lombardy, land of spring waters

Fountains and springs, the natural oases of Lower Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Lombardy, land of spring waters

Foppe di trezzo

Trip outside the town of Trezzo d'Adda to discover a small but very suggestive WWF oasis.
  • Active & Green
Foppe di Trezzo

A green escape in Milan

  • Active & Green
A green escape in Milan

The High Route of Valmalenco – 3rd stage

Alpe Ventina (1960 m) - Forbicina (1656 m) - Val Sissone - Rif. Del Grande (2600 m) - Chiareggio (1612 m)
  • Active & Green
Salita in Val Sissone

Under the ground, to discover the caves of Lombardy

On a trip to the caves of Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Under the ground, to discover the caves of Lombardy

Running al Parco di Monza

Running is good for you. And running in the middle of nature? Even better! Come and join us at Monza Park.
  • Active & Green
Running Parco di Monza

25th April Weekend in Lombardy

Why not get out and explore? You can organise some unforgettable days out with a wide range of interesting activities.
  • Active & Green
25th April Weekend in Lombardy

Action sports in Lombardy

From Lake Garda to Val Brembana, 5 action sports destinations offering a hefty dose of adrenaline
  • Active & Green
Action sports in Lombardy

Swim away from the crowds in Lombardy

8 little-known destinations to swim in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Swim away from the crowds in Lombardy

The Salt Route

From Varzi to the sea
  • Active & Green
Via del Sale