Two days on the upper lake

The Romanesque and the history of the upper lake, with a swim at the end.

1. Transfer: Car15 min· From Colico; in summer also by boat

   Morning

   

   Piona abbey

   On the Olgiasca peninsula above Colico: a cloister of 1252, Cistercian monks, silence and liqueurs. You drive to the car park and walk the rest, or take the boat that calls at the abbey's pier in summer.

2. Transfer: Car35 min· Colico → Gravedona on the main road; about twenty-five minutes by the C110 bus

   Lunch

   

   Lunch at Gravedona and Santa Maria del Tiglio

   Gravedona's lakefront has the trattorias and the wide view to Colico. A few steps away is Santa Maria del Tiglio, the twelfth-century Romanesque church with the octagonal bell tower, open in daytime and free: ten minutes cover it.

3. Transfer: Car5 min· Two kilometres along the shore, on foot too

   Afternoon

   

   Dongo and the Museum of the End of the War

   In Palazzo Manzi on the square, the Museum of the End of the War tells the story of the Resistance on the lake and the events of April 1945 in seven rooms, including Mussolini's capture and transfer to the palace. Allow about an hour for the visit. Outside are the square overlooking the water and the lakefront.

4. Transfer: Car15 min· Dongo → Domaso via Gravedona

   Evening

   

   Domaso: a swim in the Breva and dinner on the shore

   When the Breva blows in the afternoon, Domaso's sails are on the water: you watch from the beach and swim when the wind drops. In the evening you eat in the campsites and the trattorias on the shore.

Twenty-seven flat kilometres from Colico to Lake Mezzola, and the train back.

1. Transfer: Train10 min· From Domaso by car or C110 bus to Colico; anyone sleeping in Colico starts at the station

   Morning

   

   Colico and the Pian di Spagna reserve

   Bike hired at Colico or brought from home; you set off from the station and in a quarter of an hour are in the reserve, among reed beds, herons and the Montecchio fort on its promontory. The route is flat and almost all away from cars.

2. Transfer: Bicycle40 min

   Lunch

   Sorico, at the mouth of the Mera

   From the Ponte del Passo you reach Sorico, near the mouth of the Mera where it flows into Lake Como. You can stop in the village and see the church of San Miro on the crag above it.

3. Transfer: Bicycle1 h

   Afternoon

   Lake Mezzola to Novate

   From Dascio, return to the Ponte del Passo to pick up the cycle route towards Poncetta, Casello Sette and Verceia, then continue towards Novate Mezzola. The little church of San Fedelino is on the opposite shore: the path from Dascio is a walk with climbs, descents and exposed sections. To return from Novate to Colico by train, check the timetable and bicycle carriage arrangements.

4. Transfer: Train15 min· Novate Mezzola → Colico

   Evening

   

   Colico, and the way home

   Before heading home, you can stop on Colico's lakefront. Trains run from here to Lecco and Milan, and the SS36 links the town to the motorway network.