• Active & Green
    • Lakes
    • Mountains

Valle Intelvi: 4 excursions in the land between two lakes

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT
  1. Experiences in Lombardy
  2. Active & Green
  3. Valle Intelvi: 4 excursions in the land between two lakes

We head to the heart of the Lombardian Prealps to discover a destination popular among casual climbers wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Nestled between Lake Como and Lake Lugano is an enchanting location divided between dense woodland and charming terraces, packed with incredible views and dotted with little ancient villages surrounded by nature.

We are in the Val d’Intelvi, a mid-mountain destination approximate an hour away from Milan, and a location that is certain to pleasantly surprise anyone in search of peace and beauty and who, at least for the span of a weekend, want to heal their soul by immersing themselves in the bounty of nature.

A stretch of the Earth where artists from the Renaissance and Baroque periods have left their mark in the shining examples of period architecture scattered across historic towns and where in every village craftsmanship is expressed in real works of arts. 

Perfect for walking and cycling excursions, the Val d’Intelvi offers visitors some truly incredible walking routes that, on top of being suitable for all, invite you to discover the uniqueness of a region that, while considered to be the “Little Sister” of Lombardy’s valleys, has nothing with which to envy its more impressive and resonant neighbours when it comes to resources and passion. 

With a mix of art, nature and magic, here are 4 walking routes that are absolutely worth exploring.

1. The Trail of Expressions
Accessible from the centre of Schignano by following signs to the hamlet of Posa (840m) where, after parking your car, you can continue on foot towards Alpe Nava, this extraordinarily beautiful first path, invites us to discover works of art made with bark and tree trunks by skilled woodcarvers. A special place where the tree trunks express the most diverse emotions of the soul and the woodland seems to come to life thanks to these expressive forms with a human face.

Read more
2. The bridle path to Erbonne
Starting in the heart of the Val d’Intelvi in the town of La Bolla, this relaxing path, which is entirely flat and takes about 90 minutes, goes from Casasco d’Intelvi, crossing a bridle path and opening out into a stunning view of Lago di Como and Monte San Zeno, before leading to the charming village of Erbonne, part of the Municipality of San Fedele di Intelvi.

Read more
3. Following the trenches on Monte Generoso
Our third route, which takes 4.5 hours on foot, gives us the chance to explore some First World War-era fortifications by following the trench line through the Monte Generoso Forest. We are in the Municipality of Pellio Intelvi, in the Province of Como on the border with Switzerland: here Monte Generoso (1701m), as the highest peak in the valley, played a crucially important role in the defence of Italy during the First World War, more specifically, the area under the control of the Northern Frontier Advanced Occupation Command, Responsible for the construction of these defensive line.

Read more
4. Lanzo - Sighignola
Suitable for both cyclists and those on foot, our final hike starts in the town of Lanzo which, following a slightly winding road built at the end of the First World War as part of the “Northern Frontier” (the Italian defensive system facing Switzerland, known as the Cadorna Line) will lead you to the so-called “Balcone d’Italia”.

Read more

On the same topic

Show all

Where to harvest chestnuts in Lombardy

Forests, hills, panoramic viewpoints and plays of light: discover where and when to collect chestnuts in Lombardy, as well as other useful tips
  • Active & Green
La raccolta delle castagne - Parco Regionale del Campo dei Fiori (VA)

Bruschera Oasis

On the shore of Lake Maggiore, it is a small paradise, a place of passage and nesting of various species of birds.
  • Active & Green
Visit the Bruschera Oasis and the cane thickets on Lake Maggiore

Foliage in Lombardy

From Via Francigena to the Cadorna Line. Discover where to see the autumn colours in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Via Francigena Corte Sant'Andrea Lodi

In search of the king of mushrooms

Mushroom hunting in Lombardy. Three foolproof destinations for gathering the most delicious porcini mushrooms: Valtellina, Val Brembana, and Val d'Intelvi
  • Active & Green
Andar per funghi in Lombardia

Fly Fishing in Lombardy

  • Active & Green
Fly Fishing in Lombardy

Family walks to put a spring in your step

The transition from summer to autumn provides the ideal conditions for regenerating family moments along the scenic trails of Lombardy.
  • Active & Green
passeggiate_in_ Lombardia

Concarena, Gavia and Mortirolo: adventures on foot and by bike

The wildest side of Valle Camonica: from gorges for experts to the uphill hairpin bends that have written the history of the Giro d’Italia
  • Active & Green
Concarena, Gavia e Mortirolo: avventure a piedi e in bici

Thousand-Year Larch Trail

The oldest tree in Lombardy can be discovered with an unusual hike among the breathtaking views of Valmalenco
  • Active & Green
Thousand-Year Larch Trail

Picnics in Lombardy

8 easy picnic places in Lombardy: On the beaches of our lakes, in the cool of the woods, or in the company of dinosaurs!
  • Active & Green
panorama sondrio

Resegone and Piani d’Erna

A real mountain holiday. Chilling and fun for the whole family. Piani d'Erna and the most extreme climbs on the vertical rock walls of Manzoni's mountain
  • Active & Green
Il Resegone e i Piani d’Erna

The joy of running

Enjoy your training in Cremona
  • Active & Green
The joy of running

Parco dello Stelvio, Bormio and Valdidentro

Walks and strenuous hikes in the heart of the Stelvio National Park surrounded by unspoilt nature and in close contact with mountain fauna
  • Active & Green
Il parco dello Stelvio, Bormio e la Valdidentro

Secret nature in Bergamo and Brescia

Hidden parks and botanical gardens, amidst old palaces and monasteries, to rediscover the bond between nature, history and art.
  • Active & Green
(Ph: I Mille)

Ciclovia del Po

It stretches from the confluence of the Ticino and Po rivers to Parpanese harbour in Arena Po. The track is suitable for both walkers and cyclists with sections through Oltrepò river bank towns and others along the Po itself.
  • Active & Green
Fiume Po

Alpe Meriggio, Alpe Campo Cervé and Casera Lake - Around Alpine Pastures

Albosaggia
  • Active & Green
Alpe Meriggio, Alpe Campo Cervé and Casera Lake - Around Alpine Pastures

Places suspended between land and water

Between the trails and panoramic views of the Lombardy countryside, nature meets expanses of water, for a truly unique experience.
  • Active & Green
Luoghi sospesi tra terra e acqua

Hiking with the Family

  • Active & Green
Trekking @inlombardia adobestock

Virtual trip to Lecco: nature and art

An online tour, through green landscapes and culture
  • Active & Green
Sentiero del Viandante

The “Triangolo Lariano”: the Corni di Canzo mountain group

These mountains are amazing for outdoor-life lovers with a choice of steep cliffs for climbers, erratic rocks for boulderers and high-altitude hiking trails with a lake view
  • Active & Green
The “Triangolo Lariano”: the Corni di Canzo mountain group

The 10 most spectacular monumental trees in the province of Brescia

In Lombardy's largest province, very special tree monuments grow in very different environments.
  • Active & Green
The 10 most spectacular monumental trees in the province of Brescia