• 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

Up and down on a funicular: the panorama seen from the sky

Lombardy funiculars: the most romantic means of transport man has created
  • Active & Green
Up and down on a funicular: the panorama seen from the sky

Brughiera Briantea Park

Park that extends in the territory between Milan and Como and represents one of the largest forest areas of the Lombard plain.
  • Active & Green
Brughiera Briantea Park

Teglio walk - San Silvestro - Frascesca spring

Medium-difficulty itinerary that, through scenic routes, leads to the coolness of the Frascesca spring.
  • Active & Green
Teglio walk - San Silvestro - Frascesca spring

Cool summer escapes

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

Monumental trees in Lombardy

The art of knowing trees in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Alberi monumentali in Lombardia

Ten Snowshoeing Treks in Lombardy

Choose a route through the woods or try out a panoramic trail on your snowshoeing trek!
  • Active & Green
Ten Snowshoeing Treks in Lombardy

Discovering the Big Benches in the province of Pavia

How to reconnect with childhood by rediscovering the landscape with the Big Benches!
  • Active & Green
Big Bench in provincia di Pavia

Ca' branchi walk - Somasassa - Caven - Tresenda

  • Active & Green
Somasassa

Bergamo Valle di Scalve, nature, peace and quiet

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

9 places surrounded by nature

If you want to spend a day in contact with nature, we recommend these really special destinations.
  • Active & Green
Discovering Lombardy and its nature

Famous uphill cycling routes: Valfurva

The spectacle of the glaciers on the Confinale circular trail and great uphill cycle trails make this mountain popular with hikers and keen cyclists
  • Active & Green
Le salite dei campioni: la Valfurva

Discover Sporty!

The Lombardy Region App dedicated to mountain sports and tourism enthusiasts
  • Active & Green
Snow hiking in Bormio

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
  • Active & Green
Bergamo Valle Imagna, un tesoro tutto da scoprire

Brabbia Marsh

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

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.
  • Active & Green
Natura maestra nella Bassa del Po

The “Triangolo Lariano”: the Corni di Canzo mountain group

These mountains are amazing for outdoor-life lovers with a choice of steep cliffs for climbers, erratic rocks for boulderers and high-altitude hiking trails with a lake view
  • Active & Green
The “Triangolo Lariano”: the Corni di Canzo mountain group

Ferrata del Torrione Porro

It is a moderate difficulty ferrata that develops in Valmalenco.
  • Active & Green
Ferrata del Torrione Porro

Gema promenade - source of the Frascesca

Easy route and especially suitable for families with children
  • Active & Green
Source Frascesca

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

Nature in Lombardy: five landscapes to die for

  • Active & Green
Bellagio (CO) - Villa Melzi d’Eril