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.

Valtellina Nascosta: third installment

Continuing our journey to discover the Hidden Valtellina, we present five more must-see destinations.

Active & Green

Gardens in Lombardy

The botanical gardens of Lombardy are real jewels to visit, so come on, what are you waiting for?

Active & Green

Bergamo three small natural jewels: Val Vertova, Val Sedornia and Val Sanguigno

Off the beaten tourist track, but close to the Valle Seriana, there are three small valleys, just waiting to be discovered, either on foot or mountain bike

Active & Green

Cycling from Col d'Anzana to Val Fontana

Active & Green

Where to Go Fishing in Lombardy

Carps, chars, trout. River and lake fish. Some advice on where to go fishing in Lombardy. From Pavia to Como

Active & Green

The Salt Route

From Varzi to the sea

Active & Green

Dicovering Monte Lesima

Trekking in the province of Pavia

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

Active & Green

Brescia Nature, taste and traditions: Val Sabbia

From multiple-day treks with night-breaks at mountain huts, to shorter walks open to all: a charming valley for all tastes set against the background of the little lake Idro

Active & Green

The Rusca trail

Sondrio, Ponchiera, Arquino, Valdone, Il Prato, Tornadù, Torre Santa Maria, S.Anna, Basci, Vassalini a Chiesa Valmalenco - ritorno a Sondrio

Active & Green

The joy of running

Enjoy your training in Cremona

Active & Green

Walks for everyone

Besides many shelters of Valmalenco, easily attainable from families and who approaches to the world of hiking for the first time, we signal some simple itineraries suitable for all.

Active & Green

Villoresi forest

Come and spend a nice day in the Bosco Villoresi oasis of Carugate!

Active & Green

Discover Sporty!

The Lombardy Region App dedicated to mountain sports and tourism enthusiasts

Active & Green

12 blooms to see in Lombardy

With the arrival of spring, Lombardy is tinged with beautiful blooms. All to discover the most beautiful ones!

Active & Green

Motorcycle touring in Lombardy

Motorcycle routes, getting to know Lombardy with the thrill of two wheels

Active & Green

Snowshoe walking in Prato Valentino: Anello Verdomana

Silenzio ovattato, inebriante profumo di bosco, tracce di animali selvatici sulla neve e fantastici panorami. È quanto si può godere compiendo un'attività fisica alla portata di tutti e poco dispendiosa: le escursioni con le racchette da neve.