• Active & Green
    • Mountains
    • Villages

Family walks to put a spring in your step

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT
  1. Experiences in Lombardy
  2. Active & Green
  3. Family walks to put a spring in your step

September bids farewell to summer but still allows for a gentle transition from holiday to routine. 

Children gradually return to school, and the weekends continue to offer clear skies and ideal temperatures for family outings spent exploring the lakes and mountains.  In Lombardy, countless itineraries wind through the provinces, revealing hidden views and enchanting places in which to recharge your energy as you enjoy moments of relaxation in good company in the open air. Let's discover 6 of the most characteristic ones.

1. Pliniana Spring Walk (Bormio, SO)
Within the Stelvio National Park, sheltered by an artificial cave, lies the Pliniana Spring, a thermal spring known for its beneficial properties. It is surrounded by the romantic woodland flora of larches and mountain pines in the Parco dei Bagni di Bormio, located between the Bagni Vecchi and Bagni Nuovi. The 3-kilometre loop trail starts from the parking area of the Bagni Nuovi and, following signs for Fonte Pliniana, leads to this precious spring. The walk, relaxing and surrounded by nature, passes through scenic spots such as the small thermal waterfall. It is almost flat, lined with benches, and perfect for children, who will love the fairytale atmosphere and the chance, if they’re lucky, to spot ibex along the way.
2. Sentiero dei Borghi (San Pellegrino Terme, BG)
The charming Art Nouveau town of San Pellegrino Terme is surrounded by the Orobie Prealps, offering many trails of easy to medium difficulty. One of the most famous ones is the Sentiero dei Borghi, a loop trail of about 1 km. It can be accessed from the Vetta area of San Pellegrino Terme, which is reachable with the historic funicular railway, or from the town centre, although this adds an additional 400 metres of elevation gain. Along the route, which is well signposted and also suitable for younger children, though partially challenging, you can immerse yourself in the rural life of several villages that have preserved their ancient beauty in the mountains (Alino, Ca’ Boffelli, Vettarola, Ca’ Nova, and Sussia) and visit the Grotte del Sogno, which are of karst origin.
3. Penisola Olgiasca (Piona, LC)
The enchanting Olgiasca Peninsula emerges on Lake Lecco, offering panoramic views of the Alto Lario and the surrounding Prealps, and is home to the Abbey of Piona, an architectural gem in Romanesque-Lombard style and a scenic destination for a loop trail that starts from the municipality of Olgiasca. At the Church of San Filippo, you will find signs for trail no. 7, which, from the road to the forest, between dry stone walls and postcard views, reveals the impressive Sass Negher Cliff. With minimal elevation gain, the route continues downhill towards the Piona lake, along a flat stretch leading to the Abbey, where the priory, terrace, and cloister are steeped in a spiritual, tranquil atmosphere. A panoramic cobblestone road will keep you company on the return.
4. Percorso dei Fontanili (Capralba, CR)
The northern part of the Cremona province is home to a green oasis of a beauty only seen in fairy-tales: Parco dei Fontanili di Capralba. Spanning 750 hectares, it hosts thirteen ancient water springs, structures dating back to the eleventh and twelfth centuries designed to channel spring waters and irrigate the surrounding fields. Today, these springs line eight different trails of increasing length and difficulty, perfect for a family outing. The bike paths make this itinerary ideal for cyclists, but the shorter routes are also accessible on foot. Among these, the Percorso Verde (Green Trail) is a 10 km loop that circles between Fontanile delle Canne and Fontanile di Farinate, where you can also see the historic Mill.
5. Walk in the Royal Gardens (Monza, MB)
The Royal Gardens of Monza frame the splendid Villa Reale, nestled in the green heart of the city's park, and offer families a regenerating walk just steps away from the historic centre. As you stroll alongside the Serrone, behind the famous rose garden adjacent to the Villa, you will quickly find yourself immersed in the 8th-century English garden, where monumental trees and shrubs blend with relics of classical architecture. From the temple in the centre of the pond to the Grotto of Neptune, the Royal Gardens provide a fairy-tale setting, with flowing water and green expanses, and can be explored without a set route. The 40 hectares of parkland also host numerous other trails to choose from.
6. Riserva della Fagiana (Ponte Vecchio di Magenta, MI)
A cradle of rich natural biodiversity, the Ticino Park is a Lombard treasure a variety of trails. Among them, the Riserva Naturale della Fagiana, located between Magenta, Boffalora Ticino, and Robecco sul Naviglio, is particularly worth a visit. Once home to a famous hunting reserve, today it serves as a sanctuary for local species such as roe deer, sturgeon, and marble trout. To protect the wildlife, this trail is not accessible to dogs, but it is perfect for children and suitable for all ages due to its lack of elevation changes. Departing from the Centro Parco La Fagiana in Ponte Vecchio di Magenta, in just over half an hour by car from Milan, you will find yourself immersed in a refreshing green space.

On the same topic

Show all

Dicovering Monte Lesima

Trekking in the province of Pavia
  • Active & Green
Dicovering Monte Lesima

12 blooms to see in Lombardy

With the arrival of spring, Lombardy is tinged with beautiful blooms. All to discover the most beautiful ones!
  • Active & Green
Blooms in Lombardy

It's harvest time in Lombardy 

In the vineyards and cellars of Lombardy, you can take part in the ancient rituals of grape harvesting and pressing and get to know the land where some of the region's best wines are produced
  • Active & Green
È tempo di vendemmia in Lombardia 

Il sentiero di Leonardo

Un percorso a piedi di 540 Km sui luoghi leonardeschi
  • Active & Green
Il sentiero di Leonardo

Where to Go Fishing in Lombardy

Carps, chars, trout. River and lake fish. Some advice on where to go fishing in Lombardy. From Pavia to Como
  • Active & Green
Where to go fishing in Lombardy, hints and ideas

The most beautiful gorges!

The six most beautiful gorges to visit in Lombardy: those of Bellano and Nesso, the most famous, and the equally spectacular gorges of Caino, Cunardo, Val Taleggio and Via Mala
  • Active & Green
The most beautiful gorges in Lombardy - Bellano - discoveringbellano.eu

Yoga in Parco Sempione

A green oasis in Milan.
  • Active & Green
Yoga in Parco Sempione

Visit to Val Gerola

  • Active & Green
Val Gerola

Adrenaline 9 thrilling experiences in Lombardy

Rafting, Kitesurf, scalate sul ghiaccio... Esperienze ad alto tasso di adrenalina. Guida a 9 sport estremi in Lombardia
  • Active & Green
Adrenaline 9 thrilling experiences in Lombardy

The High Route of Valmalenco – 3rd stage

Alpe Ventina (1960 m) - Forbicina (1656 m) - Val Sissone - Rif. Del Grande (2600 m) - Chiareggio (1612 m)
  • Active & Green
Salita in Val Sissone

Ten Snowshoeing Treks in Lombardy

Choose a route through the woods or try out a panoramic trail on your snowshoeing trek!
  • Active & Green
Ten Snowshoeing Treks in Lombardy

Levadina

Walking in the Levadina Oasis of San Donato Milanese, an opportunity to spend an afternoon immersed in nature.
  • Active & Green
Levadina

Teglio walk - Verida - Palama - Ravarola - Teglio

Simple walk through the characteristic rural mid-mountain environment, where cultivated fields, meadows, vineyards and orchards alternate. Depending on the season, typical tellin crops of potatoes, barley, rye and buckwheat can be seen.
  • Active & Green
Teglio walk - Verida - Palama - Ravarola - Teglio

A summer at the summit

Backpack and discover the best treks and outdoor activities #inLombardia
  • Active & Green
Trekking in Lombardy

The Wayfarer's Path in Varenna

From Varenna walk along the The Wayfarer's Path and discover this ancient route connecting Lake Como and Valtellina
  • Active & Green
The Wayfarer's Path in Varenna

Famous uphill cycling routes: Valfurva

The spectacle of the glaciers on the Confinale circular trail and great uphill cycle trails make this mountain popular with hikers and keen cyclists
  • Active & Green
Le salite dei campioni: la Valfurva

Where to Go Paragliding in Lombardy

A race and a jump in the void. Adrenaline and wonder. Discover where to paraglide in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Where to Go Paragliding in Lombardy

A green week in Valtellina

Escape to the mountains just a two-hour drive from Milan for a rural retreat with trekking, typical pizzoccheri pasta and towns that are absolute hidden gems
  • Active & Green
A green week in Valtellina

Up and down on a funicular: the panorama seen from the sky

Lombardy funiculars: the most romantic means of transport man has created
  • Active & Green
Up and down on a funicular: the panorama seen from the sky

In between the lake and the sky

Episode 2
  • Active & Green
In between the lake and the sky