• Active & Green
    • Lakes
    • Mountains

Valle Intelvi: 4 excursions in the land between two lakes

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT

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

Gardens Milan

Spring is the best time of year to enjoy a green Milan with unexpected views
Gardens Milan, guide for visiting
  • Active & Green

The High Route of Valmalenco – 4th stage

Chiareggio (1612 m) - Rif. Longoni (2450 m) - A. Sasso nero (2304 m) - Rif. Lago Palù (1947 m)
Vista sul Lago Palù
  • Active & Green

Greenway Voghera - Varzi

A green way towards the Appennines
  • Active & Green

Discover Sporty!

The Lombardy Region App dedicated to mountain sports and tourism enthusiasts
Snow hiking in Bormio
  • Active & Green

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.
(Ph: I Mille)
  • Active & Green

Levadina

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

Lombardy on the road..

Lombardy: wonderful views to see on the road.
Lombardy on the road
  • Active & Green

The Park Colonie Padane is open!

Come and discover the park!
  • Active & Green

The Soapstone trail

A short loop trail that allows hikers to visit the ancient places where the renown soapstone of Pirlo used to be quarried and worked.
  • Active & Green

Valsassina and the Grigne

From one-day trips that anyone can enjoy, to climbing on the vertical walls of the Grigne, through to splendid hikes leading up to the mountain refuges
Valsassina and the Grigne
  • Active & Green

Trekking with Alpacas

Alpacas la Foppa: the first alpaca farm in Valmalenco.
  • Active & Green

Val Trompia, where nature and ancient mines await visitors

Be ready for a great vacation in Val Trompia to discover natural treasures amidst huts and trails winding down the forest in Zone and reaching up to mounts Guglielmo and Maniva.
Brescia tra natura e antiche miniere: la Val Trompia
  • Active & Green

Cycling from Tresenda to Prato Valentino

  • Active & Green

Five waterfalls to visit in Lombardy

Five ideas for a trip out of town to enjoy the spectacular waterfalls and picturesque scenery of Lombardy.
Five waterfalls to visit in Lombardy- ph@istock - inlombardia
  • Active & Green

Gema promenade - source of the Frascesca

Easy route and especially suitable for families with children
Source Frascesca
  • Active & Green

Teglio walk - San Silvestro - Frascesca spring

Medium-difficulty itinerary that, through scenic routes, leads to the coolness of the Frascesca spring.
source of the Frascesca
  • Active & Green

Learn from nature in the lowlands of the Po Valley

Take a lesson, and much more, from the educational farms on the Lombardy Plains, learning about the environmental and cultural wealth of our countryside.
Natura maestra nella Bassa del Po
  • Active & Green

Brabbia Marsh

Brabbia Nature Reserve: the most important wetland in Lombardy.
Palude Brabbia: a protected area
  • Active & Green

Legnone, Pizzo Tre Signori and Valvarrone

Narrow, wild and dominated by the peak of Legnone, Valvarrone seems tailor-made for those who like their mountains harsh
Legnone, Pizzo Tre Signori e Valvarrone
  • Active & Green

Mountains with ancient history: Valle Camonica

Montagne di storia antica: la Valle Camonica
  • Active & Green