From Rezzonico to Menaggio on the old Regina

The old Strada Regina was laid out in Roman times and for centuries joined the south and north of the Alps.

This walk follows a well-kept stretch of it from the old core of Rezzonico to Nobiallo and ends in the centre of Menaggio. From the castle you go down the steps to the arcades of the pier, climb back, cross the disused main road and take the cobbled mule track past the Castellaccio, the remains of a late medieval tower, among small fields and walls up to the upper hamlets of Santa Maria. Past an oratory and the little bridge over the Cellino stream you cross Mastena, then the cobbled way between Molvedo and Acquaseria leads to the church of Sant'Abbondio. Across the bridge over the Serio, a dirt track through the woods and two stretches of disused road along the lake lead to a steep cobbled climb. From the path you look down on Villa La Gaeta, a house built like a medieval and Renaissance castle, used for some scenes of Casino Royale. You then walk along the flanks of the Sasso Rancio, the big rock falling sheer into the lake that forced travellers into a hard climb, and down a flight of steps to the sanctuary of the Madonna della Pace, in its panoramic spot. Beyond the old Madonna bridge is Nobiallo, a fishing village with lanes running down to the lake and the parish church of Santi Bartolomeo e Nicola. By the cycle and foot path along the Lario, Via Cipressi and Via Roma you reach the lido and, along the lakefront, Piazza Garibaldi.

1. 01Ten kilometres one way from Rezzonico to Menaggio, with 150 metres of climb and a high point of 355, about three hours. The route is easy and can be walked all year, with a single steep descent, from the Sasso Rancio to the Madonna della Pace.
2. 02Rezzonico is reached on the C110 Como–Menaggio–Colico bus, San Siro-bivio per il paese stop; from Menaggio the same bus takes you back. In two places you walk briefly on the edge of the main road: take care.
3. 03It can be joined to the walk from Dongo to Rezzonico on the Sentiero del Giubileo, for a long day along the slopes.

WhereMenaggio · San Siro