• Active & Green
    • Lakes
    • Mountains

Valle Intelvi: 4 excursions in the land between two lakes

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT
  1. Experiences in Lombardy
  2. Active & Green
  3. Valle Intelvi: 4 excursions in the land between two lakes

We head to the heart of the Lombardian Prealps to discover a destination popular among casual climbers wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Nestled between Lake Como and Lake Lugano is an enchanting location divided between dense woodland and charming terraces, packed with incredible views and dotted with little ancient villages surrounded by nature.

We are in the Val d’Intelvi, a mid-mountain destination approximate an hour away from Milan, and a location that is certain to pleasantly surprise anyone in search of peace and beauty and who, at least for the span of a weekend, want to heal their soul by immersing themselves in the bounty of nature.

A stretch of the Earth where artists from the Renaissance and Baroque periods have left their mark in the shining examples of period architecture scattered across historic towns and where in every village craftsmanship is expressed in real works of arts. 

Perfect for walking and cycling excursions, the Val d’Intelvi offers visitors some truly incredible walking routes that, on top of being suitable for all, invite you to discover the uniqueness of a region that, while considered to be the “Little Sister” of Lombardy’s valleys, has nothing with which to envy its more impressive and resonant neighbours when it comes to resources and passion. 

With a mix of art, nature and magic, here are 4 walking routes that are absolutely worth exploring.

1. The Trail of Expressions
Accessible from the centre of Schignano by following signs to the hamlet of Posa (840m) where, after parking your car, you can continue on foot towards Alpe Nava, this extraordinarily beautiful first path, invites us to discover works of art made with bark and tree trunks by skilled woodcarvers. A special place where the tree trunks express the most diverse emotions of the soul and the woodland seems to come to life thanks to these expressive forms with a human face.

Read more
2. The bridle path to Erbonne
Starting in the heart of the Val d’Intelvi in the town of La Bolla, this relaxing path, which is entirely flat and takes about 90 minutes, goes from Casasco d’Intelvi, crossing a bridle path and opening out into a stunning view of Lago di Como and Monte San Zeno, before leading to the charming village of Erbonne, part of the Municipality of San Fedele di Intelvi.

Read more
3. Following the trenches on Monte Generoso
Our third route, which takes 4.5 hours on foot, gives us the chance to explore some First World War-era fortifications by following the trench line through the Monte Generoso Forest. We are in the Municipality of Pellio Intelvi, in the Province of Como on the border with Switzerland: here Monte Generoso (1701m), as the highest peak in the valley, played a crucially important role in the defence of Italy during the First World War, more specifically, the area under the control of the Northern Frontier Advanced Occupation Command, Responsible for the construction of these defensive line.

Read more
4. Lanzo - Sighignola
Suitable for both cyclists and those on foot, our final hike starts in the town of Lanzo which, following a slightly winding road built at the end of the First World War as part of the “Northern Frontier” (the Italian defensive system facing Switzerland, known as the Cadorna Line) will lead you to the so-called “Balcone d’Italia”.

Read more

On the same topic

Show all

Boat trips on Lombardy's rivers

The waterways of Lombardy are perfect to discover the unspoilt green heart of the region
  • Active & Green
Boat trips on Lombardy's rivers - Navigli Milano

Discover the province of Varese

5 must-see places to visit in Varese
  • Active & Green
A dirt path crosses a rural landscape at sunset, surrounded by golden fields and green vegetation. To the right, there is a small stone chapel with a cross on its facade, while to the left, large trees can be seen under a cloudy sky illuminated by the warm colors of the sunset. The atmosphere is peaceful and serene, with the contrast between the golden light and the lengthening evening shadows.

Secret nature in Bergamo and Brescia

Hidden parks and botanical gardens, amidst old palaces and monasteries, to rediscover the bond between nature, history and art.
  • Active & Green
(Ph: I Mille)

Levadina

Walking in the Levadina Oasis of San Donato Milanese, an opportunity to spend an afternoon immersed in nature.
  • Active & Green
Levadina

Artist’s giant benches

The hunt is on. Discover six of the brightly coloured, supersized Big Benches by Chris Bangle that are adding to the scenery in Lombardy.
  • Active & Green
Ph: I Mille

Family Tourism Lombardy

Lombardy ... also for "child"
  • Active & Green
Family Tourism Lombardy, useful tips

In Morbegno on the Bridge in the Sky

In Val Tartano, the highest Tibetan Bridge in Europe.
  • Active & Green
ph. Facebok page Bridge in the Sky

The Soapstone trail

A short loop trail that allows hikers to visit the ancient places where the renown soapstone of Pirlo used to be quarried and worked.
  • Active & Green
The Soapstone trail

Il sentiero di Leonardo

Un percorso a piedi di 540 Km sui luoghi leonardeschi
  • Active & Green
Il sentiero di Leonardo

The Bassone Peat Bog in Albate

The Oasi Torbiere of Bassone di Albate encloses in a few hectares an extreme wealth of very different habitats.
  • Active & Green
The Bassone Peat Bog in Albate

Cycling from Col d'Anzana to Val Fontana

  • Active & Green
Cycling from Col d'Anzana to Val Fontana

Train & Bike Valtellina

Discover Valtellina with the Train& Bike offer!
  • Active & Green
Train & Bike Valtellina

A holiday in the heart of the Alps: Valmalenco

Holidays in nature and culture, hiking in the high mountains, right up to the glaciers where the deep silence lets you listen to the voice of the mountains
  • Active & Green
Una vacanza nel cuore delle Alpi: la Valmalenco

Coolcation and Adventures in Valtellina

Six outdoor experiences in the Valtellina Alps to get out in nature while you beat the summer heat.
  • Active & Green
Ph: I Mille

Discovering the lavender fields in Oltrepò Pavese

Not just Provence: lavender fields can also be found in Oltrepò Pavese.
  • Active & Green
Discovering the lavender fields in Oltrepò Pavese

Where to harvest chestnuts in Lombardy

Forests, hills, panoramic viewpoints and plays of light: discover where and when to collect chestnuts in Lombardy, as well as other useful tips
  • Active & Green
La raccolta delle castagne - Parco Regionale del Campo dei Fiori (VA)

Bergamo Valle di Scalve, nature, peace and quiet

  • Active & Green
Bergamo Valle di Scalve, tra natura e tranquillità

Sesto Calende

Sesto Calende: between history and nature.
  • Active & Green
Sesto Calende: gateway at Lake Maggiore, along Ticino river

Markets in bloom, in May in Lombardy

A guide to the most beautiful and interesting events with flowers and plants in Lombardy, including markets, exhibitions, workshops, courses and competitions.
  • Active & Green
Mercati in fiore, a maggio in Lombardia - franciacortainfiore.it

Varese Motorland

A land to explore on 2 wheels...
  • Active & Green
Varese Motorland