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Three days of walking

The Viandante, a refuge and a ridge, all reachable by train.

3days12stops

North from Abbadia Lariana1A stop on the slope2Down to Lierna and a swim · Train back to base3/4From Vezio towards Bellano · Last evening in Varenna5/12Lunch at Bellano · Orrido di Bellano · Train back6–8From Breglia to the refuge · Lunch at the refuge9/10Descent and ferry11

The route on the map

Suggested base
Varenna or Bellano, on the Lecco–Colico line
Transport
Public transport
Pace
Intensive
Best season
Spring · Autumn
The Sentiero del Viandante between dry-stone walls above Corenno Plinio.M.casanova · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Maurizio Moro5153 · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Maurizio Moro5153 · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Maurizio Moro5153 · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Francescogb · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Mænsard vokser · CC BY-SA 4.0

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A walker on the Sentiero del Viandante, high above the lake.

Maurizio Moro5153 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Lario has a network of historic paths.

Several stages of the Sentiero del Viandante between Lecco and Colico connect with railway stations: walk in one direction and return by train to the starting point.

Opening

Orrido di Bellano

Suited to

  • Walkers used to mountain paths
  • Spring and autumn
  • Anyone travelling by train

Book ahead

  • The refuge, if you intend to sleep there.

Open on the map

The route, stop by stop.

Explore the lake
123456789101112BellagioMenaggioTremezzinaMandello del LarioBellanoAbbadia LarianaVarennaLiernaDervioEsino LarioGrianteCremiaSan SiroPianello del LarioDorioOliveto Lario

© OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL

Download the route (GPX)Stops and track for Komoot, OsmAnd, Organic Maps or a Garmin.
The page as a printable document, with the route drawn on it: useful where there is no phone signal.

Add to your calendar

One event per day, with the day's plan. Import the file into a calendar app that supports the ICS format.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Abbadia to Lierna

    The first stage of the Viandante, and the closest to Milan.

    1. Transfer: Train30 min

      Morning

      North from Abbadia Lariana

      You start at the station and climb straight onto the slope under the walls of the Grigna.

    2. Lunch

      A stop on the slope

      You cannot count on finding food or drink along the way: carry water and lunch.

    3. Afternoon

      Down to Lierna and a swim

      Riva Bianca beach is ten minutes from the station, for a swim after five hours of walking.

    4. Transfer: Train10 min

      Evening

      Train back to base

      Ten minutes by train to Varenna.

  2. Day 2

    Varenna to Bellano

    The shortest stage.

    1. Morning

      From Vezio towards Bellano

      Climb first to Castello di Vezio, then take the path north with the lake always below.

    2. Lunch

      Lunch at Bellano

      A working town, with trattorias in the centre.

    3. Afternoon

      Orrido di Bellano

      Half an hour inside the ravine, in the cool, after a morning in the sun.

    4. Transfer: Train5 min

      Evening

      Train back

      Five minutes to Varenna.

  3. Day 3

    High above Menaggio

    Change shore and climb to the Rifugio Menaggio.

    1. Transfer: Boat20 min

      Morning

      From Breglia to the refuge

      An hour and a half of marked path to the refuge, at 1,383 metres, with the view opening over the upper lake.

    2. Lunch

      Lunch at the refuge

      Mountain cooking, with Lake Lugano and the Swiss Alps in front of you.

    3. Afternoon

      Descent and ferry

      Back down to Menaggio and across to Varenna in the last light.

    4. Transfer: Boat15 min

      Evening

      Last evening in Varenna

      The walkway over the water after dark.

Worth knowing

  • Some stages involve over 500 metres of ascent and have exposed sections.
  • In summer the middle of the day is very hot: start at dawn.
  • Always check refuges are open: many close on weekdays out of season.

Area

Updated 27 October 2026

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