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An autumn weekend

2days0stops

The route on the map

Suggested base
Varenna, two nights
Transport
Public transport
Pace
Relaxed
Best season
Autumn
Varenna seen from the lake on an autumn day: the houses along the shore, the bell tower of San Giorgio, cypresses and woods with the first red leaves climbing the mountainside under a dark sky.Guilhem Vellut · CC BY 2.0
  • Mauro Cassina · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Ray in Manila · CC BY 2.0
  • Maurizio Moro5153 · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Francesco Zanardini · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Francescogb · CC BY-SA 3.0

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The lakeside loggia, flowers on the sill and the opposite shore beyond.

Mauro Cassina · CC BY-SA 3.0

Two days based in Varenna: the first between Villa Monastero's garden and Bellagio, with the Gardens of Villa Melzi; the second on the Sentiero del Viandante towards Bellano, returning by train.

From Varenna to Bellano, on the Viandante, is about two hours' walk.

Suited to

  • Anyone arriving by train
  • People happy to walk
  • Short trips out of Milan

Book ahead

    The stops, today

    Open on the map

    The route, stop by stop.

    Explore the lake
    BellagioMenaggioTremezzinaMandello del LarioBellanoLeccoAbbadia LarianaMalgrateValmadreraVarennaLiernaDervioEsino LarioColonnoSala ComacinaGrianteCremiaSan 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

      Varenna and Bellagio at the end of the season

      Villa Monastero, a quarter of an hour on the ferry and the Gardens of Villa Melzi.

      1. Morning

        Villa Monastero

        The botanical garden runs for almost two kilometres along the shore. Tickets cover the garden alone or the garden and the house museum together.

      2. Lunch

        Lunch in Varenna

        Between the square and the walkway over the water.

      3. Transfer: Boat15 min· Varenna → Bellagio by car ferry

        Afternoon

        The Gardens of Villa Melzi

        Take the ferry from Varenna to Bellagio, then follow the shore of the Como branch to the Villa Melzi gardens.

      4. Transfer: Boat15 min

        Evening

        Back to Varenna

        The ferry from Bellagio takes you back to Varenna in a quarter of an hour.

    2. Day 2

      On foot towards Bellano

      A stage of the Sentiero del Viandante and the gorge, with the train to come back.

      1. Morning

        The Sentiero del Viandante

        Climb from Varenna towards Vezio and follow the Viandante to Bellano, along mule tracks, woods and hamlets. The route includes climbs, descents and uneven ground.

      2. Lunch

        Lunch in Bellano

        In the centre, between the square and the lakefront.

      3. Afternoon

        The Orrido di Bellano

        The route follows walkways through the Pioverna gorge, a few minutes from the centre.

      4. Transfer: Train5 min· Bellano → Varenna

        Evening

        By train

        Bellano is on the Lecco–Colico line: Varenna is one stop away, Milan a little over an hour.

    Worth knowing

    • The Gardens of Villa Melzi close at the beginning of November and reopen in late March.
    • The last evening ferry from Bellagio to Varenna changes with the season: look it up in the Navigazione Laghi timetable before staying on in Bellagio.
    • The days are shorter: set off in the morning and allow time for walking and stops.

    Area

    Updated 27 October 2026

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