The Lario for sporty visitors

Walking, water sports, hiking, cycling, climbing, canyoning... Enjoy a summer on the move between Como, Lecco and the Larian Triangle

The mirror-like waters of the Lario, surrounded by the Orobian Pre-Alps and guardian of the Larian Triangle peninsula, the local winds, the Breva and the Tivano, the sun and its unforgettable sunsets: these are the perfect ingredients for a stay characterised by activity and sport in the natural setting of Lake Como and its mountains.

Its famous inverted Y-shape is formed by its three branches: Como to the south-west, Lecco to the south-east and Colico to the north. Between the two famous branches of Lake Como lies the Larian Triangle, whose corners are represented by Como, Bellagio and Lecco.

Como, Lecco and the Larian Triangle

A unique natural setting and exquisite architectural features, from the Gothic Duomo to the historical villas with their beautiful gardens, and the funicular railway inaugurated in 1894 that goes up to Brunate... Como has plenty to offer as a stopover for a holiday on the move, starting with a walk in town along the Chilometro della Conoscenza (Kilometre of Knowledge), which joins Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota, and following the paths in the parks. Or discover the ancient villages - with their Romanesque and Baroque churches, villas and gardens - winding along the western shore of Lake Como, where the 10 kilometres of the famous Greenway await you, following the route of the ancient Via Regina Lariana. There are numerous routes to explore around Como: you'll be spoilt for choice!

Equally scenic and celebrated in Manzoni's famous novel, Lecco reflects the mountains surrounding it in its waters, which are fed by the Adda and form Lake Garlate: Resegone, Due Mani, San Martino... Its proximity to the peaks gives it a globally recognised position among tourists and mountaineers: the famous Ragni di Lecco is based here, and from here visitors can reach the Valsassina, the Grigne Group (a unique rocky gym), the Piani Resinelli, and the Piani di Bobbio by cable car from Barzio.

The Larian Triangle, surrounded by the six small lakes of Montorfano, Alserio, Pusiano, Annone, Segrino and Garlate, is home to three mountain groups: the Corni di Canzo and the two groups of Palanzone and San Primo. The variety of the area translates into an incredibly rich landscape: the famous erratic boulders and tombs of Torno, the mushrooms of earth of Rezzago, extraordinary natural architecture, the Buco del Piombo of Albavilla... all of which make unmissable destinations for fascinating excursions.

An ideal itinerary for an active trip to the shores of Lake Como, the Kilometer of Knowledge (KM_C), will take you to Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota and the 17 hectares of parks that house greenhouses, botanical specimens, architecture and works of art... Departure from Villa Olmo (1), to the Ponte del Chilometro (2), the Villa Olmo Greenhouses (3), the Grumello Bridge (4), the Grumello Greenhouse (5), the former Grumello Stables (6), the Serretta Grumello (7), Villa del Grumello (8), the Celesia Chapel (9), the Darsena Grumello (10), the Capriccio - Villa Sucota (11), Villa Sucota (12), Serre and Limonaia Sucota (13). (ph: villadelgrumello.it)

Como: take off for the skies — Flying above the stunning scenery of Lake Como on one of the seaplanes of the historic Aero Club of Como (founded in 1913) is an unforgettable experience, perfect not only for those who love a challenge, but also for those who are afraid of flying, thanks to special training organised by the club. Taking off directly from the water in a motor-powered aircraft and then soaring into the blue sky, you will be in the front row, alongside the pilot, to take in every moment of the flight, experiencing the manoeuvres and watching the instruments on board - but above all admiring views of the shores, promontories and bays of the Lario as well as its villas, immersed in natural settings and enveloped in a dreamlike atmosphere. (ph: aeroclubcomo.com)

Upper Lake Como, home of water sports — In addition to rowing and sailing, both of which belong to Como's history, on the sandy beaches of Alto Lario, where the wind blows constantly, you can take on the most challenging new water sports, facing both the waves and the sky: wakeboarding, flyboarding, kitesurfing, subwing, wingfoil, and fliteboarding... If kitesurfing (a variant of surfing, that entails being towed through the sky by a kite) attracts you, there is no shortage of schools and instructors in Colico, Sorico and Gera Lario to introduce you to this challenging discipline. (ph: northlakecomo.net)

Dongo (CO), discovering canyoning — Known as canoeing - or canyoning - this new form of sport combines mountaineering and river sports, attracting the most reckless with its steep descents along mountain watercourses, punctuated by pools and waterfalls. Practitioners overcome obstacles by diving, swimming, tobogganing or roping and climbing, to discover natural paradises that are otherwise unreachable. The Cai di Dongo (CO) organises itineraries in the canyons of the Alto Lario that are suitable for beginners, accompanied by alpine guides or sports clubs. One of the most beautiful is the descent down the challenging but spectacular canyon in the Bares Valley. (ph: caidongo.it)

Lecco and its mountains — Discovering the paths and panoramas that unite lake and sky: this is the aim of the Lecco ama la montagna 2022 (Lecco loves the mountains) initiative, created to 'celebrate Lecco's passion for the mountains and the outdoors'. The locations involved are situated along the Rotary path, between Lake Como (above Lecco) and the Piani d'Erna, in the Lecco Pre-Alps (from the Castle of the Innominato, to the huts and refuges on Resegone and Mount Magnodeno and the Piani Resinelli). Here is the complete calendar, where you can choose your favourite activity - hiking through valleys and streams, orienteering, Nordic walking, cycling, e-biking, climbing via ferrata... - and even the level of intensity! (ph: wikimedia.org)

Barzio (LC), Valsassina cycle path — The Valsassina cycle path starts in Barzio (LC). It is a 14km route with a duration of 1h 30mins and an average altitude difference of 250m. This mountain bike path winds its way through the valley along the course of the Pioverna river, offering bikers a view of the lush panorama of the forests below the Grigne. Passing through Pasturo, Baiedo, Introbio, Primaluna, Cortabbio, Prato San Pietro, Cortenova, Piazze, Bindo, Piano, and Prato Vecchio, cyclists eventually arrive at the ancient thermal baths of Tartavalle, in Taceno (LC). Don't forget a refreshing stop in the icy waters of the Cascata dello Sprizzotolo, a scenic waterfall that is worthy of immortalisation in your summer photo album. (ph: areeinternelagovalli.it)

Piani Resinelli (LC), in the heart of the Grigne Mountains — This magnificent mountainous area of the eastern Lario - which looms large in the history of mountaineering, skiing and rock climbing - is waiting to be rediscovered. The Piani Resinelli are at the centre of the tourist-cultural event Experiences in the heart of the Grigne, which is part of the Resinelli Outdoor Experience 2022 project. It includes bivouacking, excursions, cycling and Nordic walking, also accompanied by mountain guides. (ph: resinelliturismo.it)

Summer 2022 on Lake Como and its mountain

In this hot summer of 2022, the range of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed alongside the refreshing waves of Lake Como, the mountain air, and the breezes in the sky, is wide and immersive.

For those who love traditional water sports such as sailing and windsurfing, high-adrenaline sports such as water skiing, wakeboarding, and skysurfing, or slower-paced activities such as canoeing and SUP (stand-up paddleboarding with an oar), which allow you to immerse yourself in nature and admire the view, the choice is truly endless.

The beaches of lower Lario await you, but if you are looking for thrills, you can continue your adventure in the sky above the lake: the historic Aeroclub di Como is ready to welcome you for your first seaplane flight.

Looking for even more thrills? Head north from Como to Dongo: from here you can set off to explore Italy's most spectacular canyons!

If, on the other hand, your passion is two wheels, you will find cycle paths on the plains, off-road tracks in the countryside and more challenging routes in the mountains, where you can take on ascents, downhill descents, freeride acrobatics on steep slopes, and natural obstacles.

In the mountains of Lake Como and in Valsassina you can challenge yourself with hikes, trekking routes, climbing walls, and more. Plenty of trails, crags and vie ferrate await you, showcasing the unforgettable scenery of Lake Como and beyond. And for refreshment, there is nothing better than the relaxation and flavours of the local refuges!