The Lake Como Greenway

From Colonno to Sala Comacina

The Lake Como Greenway starts at the south end of the village of Colonno where there is a bus stop and a car parking. Follow the signs indicating the Greenway del Lago and ascend the road named via Cappella. Then continue along via Civetta that leads to the historical centre of the village. Pass the street that leads down to the main square of Colonno and the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo (a worth while deviation of 200 mt) and then cross the bridge over the Pessetta stream. Here you find yourself on a part of the ancient Roman road called “Strada Regina”.This ancient road used to be an important connection between Como and the countries situated north of the Alps.

From Sala Comacina to Ossuccio

After a pleasant walk of about 20 min., passing through fields of olive trees, you reach the cemetery of Sala Comacina (on your right) and continuing on the left on the pebbles path, you get to the San Rocco chapel. Near the San Rocco chapel you can find steps that lead down to the medieval centre of Sala Comacina, a worth while deviation of 300 mt.
The Lake Como Greenway continues along the ancient Via Regina, up near the parking on the left, offering a wonderful panoramic view of the parish church of San Bartolomeo, the lake and the Comacina Island.

From Ossuccio to Lenno

Past the bridge on the Premonte valley, you will enter the village of Ossuccio, part of the town of Tremezzina. The cobble stone path reaches the main road at Spurano. Carefully cross it in order to reach the church of Santi Giacomo e Filippo that dates back to the X or XII century.
Passed the church you can take a break to enjoy a beautiful view or visit the historical hamlet of Spurano.
Then carefully recross the main road and follow the narrow stepway up in the direction of the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine del Soccorso.
At the first crossroads, take the road to the right (via Andrea Castelli) which goes through the village. After 500 mt you will find on the right a public park and playground where you can take a break at the bar and enjoy the lovely view of the Santa Maria Maddalena late-Gothic bell tower and the Comacina Island.
At the roundabout go straight along via Andrea Castelli and then, at the end of the street, descend towards the locality Isola and pass the parish church of Santi Eufemia e Vincenzo. Cross the main road and walk past the beautiful villa del Balbiano.

From Lenno to Mezzegra

After crossing the bridge over the Perlana stream you enter the picturesque historical hamlet of Campo. The path leads you through narrow alleys, passing by the entrance of Villa Monastero and then, after a short unactractive stretch, it continues along Dosso di Lavedo on the right and a small campsite on the left.
Just past the Hotel Lavedo you find on your right a path leading to Villa del Balbianello, a worth while hike of 1 km. Note that the pedestrian entrance to the Villa is open from mid March till mid November, on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Continuing along the Greenway you get to Lido di Lenno where you can find a boat transfer service to Villa del Balbianello.

The Greenway follows the beautiful lakeside promenade passing by the Medieval Tower of Villa, Villa Aureggi and the XI February Square with the Parish Church of Santo Stefano and the Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista until reaching the boat dock, with its boat and hydrofoil service.

Cross the narrow bridge over the Pola stream and follow the path that leads to the lake area where you can find a café and a small beach, in front of the San Giorgio hotel.

From Mezzegra to Tremezzo

Past the San Giorgio hotel, a small path leads to the main road. Carefully cross the Strada Regina and continue uphill for about ten minutes to reach Mezzegra and via Pola where you turn right. At the next crossroad turn left into via Pola Vecchia and then follow via Brentano to the right, past the oratory of San Giuseppe, toward the parish church of Sant’Abbondio. From the churchyard you can enjoy a splendid view of the Lake Como and Tremezzina.

Past the Church, continue slightly downhill, passing by the Casa dei Presepi, with its valuable permanent collection of nativity scenes and dioramas, to reach the eighteenth-century Palazzo Brentano. The Greenway route continues through the historical hamlet of Bonzanigo and then on the road near the 17th-century Palazzo Rosati.

From here go down towards the lake and then turn left in via delle Gere.

From Tremezzo to Griante

Past the bridge over the Bolvedro stream, you will enter the Village of Tremezzo coming through the historical hamlet of Bolvedro and going down to the lake.

From this point up to the end, the Lake Como Greenway follows the sidewalk that runs along the lakeshore and the main Regina road.
Shortly after the Bolvedro stream, pass by the Villa “La Quiete” and continue on, leaving the parish church of San Lorenzo behind and entering the scenic public park Teresio Olivelli, with its elegant fountain.

Once left the park, follow the likeside path. The building on the other side of the Regina road is the Villa Mainona, house of the Museo del Paesaggio del Lago di Como.
After going underneath the porch of the Hotel “La Darsena”, you reach the Tourist Office of Tremezzina, then the boat dock of Tremezzo, where you can carefully cross the main road to reach the small oratory of San Bartolomeo and then walk under the characteristic covered walkway whith its cafés and shops.

A nice variation of about 350 mt. allows you to cross the narrow alleys and streets of the historical hamlet of Tremezzo, returning to the Lake Como Greenway just before the Grand Hotel Tremezzo and the famous Villa Carlotta with its beautiful Botanical Garden.

From Griante at the end of the Greenway

Past the Villa Carlotta parking you will enter the village of Griante and cross the hamlet of Maiolica with its bars and restaurants and the Anglican Church of the Ascension, opposite the ferry dock.

In the last stretch of the Lake Como Greenway you can admire magnificient villas and gardens, located in the area around the lake and built mostly in the late 19th century and early 20th century when the tourism in Tremezzina had a great expansion and attracted visitors mostly from Britain and Germany.