A balcony over the Pian di Spagna

The walk climbs the first slopes of Monte Berlinghera, with many viewpoints; the main one is the Sasso di Dascio, looking over the Pian di Spagna reserve and Lake Mezzola.

The first part follows the steps of San Miro, the hermit venerated on the upper Lario because he brought rain in times of drought. From Piazza Cesare Battisti in Sorico you climb the Antica Regina to the tower of Sorico: behind it, sheltered by a big boulder, is the saint's cave. Next come the spring of San Miro, a shrine built in 1598 by order of the bishop of Como Filippo Archinti over the basin of never-failing water that, by tradition, the hermit made flow, and the sanctuary's churchyard, with the view over the first stretch of the lake. Behind the church you climb to Corzone, among houses now empty and a hollowed stone once used as a wine press, and go down to Masina. From there a mule track leads to Dascio and, beyond the village, to the Sasso, with a little chapel built by the Alpini, a fountain, benches and panels on the reserve. You come back to Dascio by a path between houses and vineyards to the church of San Biagio, then to the Ponte del Passo and along the Mera cycle and foot path to Sorico.

1. 01A 9.5-kilometre loop from Piazza Cesare Battisti in Sorico, between 215 and 350 metres: an easy route of about three hours, for any season.
2. 02At Masina you can choose: go straight down to Sorico for a shorter round, or carry on by the Prati Meriggi to Dascio and the Sasso di Dascio.
3. 03The church of San Miro is usually closed; at the Sasso di Dascio there are a little Alpini chapel, a fountain, benches and panels on the reserve.

WhereDomaso · Sorico