Sentiero del Viandante Area

Website: https://www.como-tourism.com/

Admission: Free (trail access); some served huts/segments may charge small fees

The Sentiero del Viandante is a historic footpath that follows the eastern shore of Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy, and is known for its panoramic lake views and connections between lakeside towns. The route preserves sections of old mule tracks and walkers’ trails that have been used for centuries.

The path runs through terraced landscapes, olive groves, chestnut woods and small villages, with frequent viewpoints over Lake Como and local churches and alleys to explore. Walkers typically cover the whole route in stages, passing through towns such as Abbadia Lariana and Colico and many intermediate villages.

The trail traces medieval and earlier routes used for local travel along the lake shore and was maintained as a communications path between lakeside communities; it has been restored and waymarked in recent decades to support walking tourism. Sections retain stone-paved stretches and traditional staircases.

Geographically the route runs along the eastern shore of Lake Como in Lombardy, connecting Abbadia Lariana in the south with Colico at the lake’s northern end and offering frequent access points to local transport and villages.

• Length and duration: The trail is about 45 kilometres long and runs along the eastern shore of Lake Como, typically walked in stages over 2 to 4 days.
• Season and gear: Best conditions are late spring through early autumn; some sections involve narrow paths and short rocky stairways so sturdy footwear is recommended.

What to See#

• Abbadia Lariana: Abbadia Lariana trailhead at the southern end, where the route begins near the town and lakeshore.
• Colico: Colico terminus at the northern end, connecting into regional transport links on Lake Como’s northern tip.

The trail runs between Abbadia Lariana in the south and Colico in the north with well-marked segments. The area is served by regional trains on the Varenna-Lecco-Colico line; local buses connect smaller villages. Many walkers start from Varenna, accessible by ferry from Bellagio.

• The trail is best tackled in stages-popular sections between Varenna and Abbadia Lariana are scenic and well-served.
• Check path conditions: some stretches are narrow with steep drop-offs and can be slippery after rain.
• Carry local train timetables-many walkers use trains along Lake Como (Varenna, Bellano, Colico) to create flexible day routes.