• Active & Green
    • Mountains
    • Villages

Family walks to put a spring in your step

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT

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

The ReGiS: Network of Historic Gardens.

A Network for the enhancement and proper management of historic gardens and parks open to the public in Lombardy
  • Active & Green

It's harvest time in Lombardy 

In the vineyards and cellars of Lombardy, you can take part in the ancient rituals of grape harvesting and pressing and get to know the land where some of the region's best wines are produced
È tempo di vendemmia in Lombardia 
  • Active & Green

Po, a river to experience.

The italian longest river offers you unforgettable moments.
Gita fuori porta a Cremona lungo il Po
  • Active & Green

Cycling from Tresenda to Prato Valentino

  • Active & Green

Alpe Meriggio, Alpe Campo Cervé and Casera Lake - Around Alpine Pastures

Albosaggia
  • Active & Green

Resegone and Piani d’Erna

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
Il Resegone e i Piani d’Erna
  • Active & Green

Ciclovia del Po

It stretches from the confluence of the Ticino and Po rivers to Parpanese harbour in Arena Po. The track is suitable for both walkers and cyclists with sections through Oltrepò river bank towns and others along the Po itself.
Fiume Po
  • Active & Green

A green week in Valtellina

Escape to the mountains just a two-hour drive from Milan for a rural retreat with trekking, typical pizzoccheri pasta and towns that are absolute hidden gems
A green week in Valtellina
  • Active & Green

Adrenaline 9 thrilling experiences in Lombardy

  • Active & Green

Trekking with Alpacas

Alpacas la Foppa: the first alpaca farm in Valmalenco.
  • Active & Green

Cycling through the land of good living

From Pavia to Lomellina and the hills of Oltrepò: some of the most scenic cycling routes.
In bici sulla Greenway Voghera Varzi
  • Active & Green

Guide Valmalenco

In the Valmalenco Guides group you can find professionals who can accompany you on your adventures whether you are an expert, or simply dream of taking your first step.
  • Active & Green

Learn from nature in the lowlands of the Po Valley

Take a lesson, and much more, from the educational farms on the Lombardy Plains, learning about the environmental and cultural wealth of our countryside.
Natura maestra nella Bassa del Po
  • Active & Green

Lecco from Monte Resegone

Lecco – a city caught between the water and the mountains – is always looking upwards.
Resegone
  • Active & Green

Monumental trees in Lombardy: 12 incredible specimens

Among the scenic and cultural riches of Lombardy, one can discover outstanding green monuments.
  • Active & Green

Excursions to Zelo Buon Persico

An itinerary to discover the canals and natural beauty of Lodigiano
Excursions to Zelo Buon Persico
  • Active & Green

Spring in Valcamonica

4 ideas to enjoy the most sparkling season of the year in Val Camonica.
Signs of Spring at a Unesco Site
  • Active & Green

Cool summer escapes

Between all its lakes and rivers, summer in Lombardy flows slowly, with enchanting landscapes to relax and cool off.
Val di Mello @inLombardia
  • Active & Green

The Patriarch's Greenway Path

An easy walk to discover Varenna and its most charming corners, with unique views on the central lake.
  • Active & Green

Bergamo Valle Imagna, a jewel just waiting to be discovered

A tiny natural jewel that still today preserves all the spirit of life in the mountains and the good flavours of food
Bergamo Valle Imagna, un tesoro tutto da scoprire
  • Active & Green