• 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

Cycling from Col d'Anzana to Val Fontana

  • Active & Green

The Park Colonie Padane is open!

Come and discover the park!
  • Active & Green

Lecco from Monte Resegone

Lecco – a city caught between the water and the mountains – is always looking upwards.
Resegone
  • Active & Green

Ten Snowshoeing Treks in Lombardy

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

Spring in Lombardy

Spring has arrived ... all to discover the beauties of Lombardy!
Spring in Lombardy: where to go and what to do
  • Active & Green

Lombardy on the road..

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

E-bikes in Lombardy

The bicycle is definitely the ideal way to discover an area, thanks to the e-bike, cycling tourism is just within everyone's reach!
Po park bicycle path
  • Active & Green

Cycling through the land of good living

From Pavia to Lomellina and the hills of Oltrepò: some of the most scenic cycling routes.
In bici sulla Greenway Voghera Varzi
  • Active & Green

Oasis of San Giuliano Milanese

Urban oasis of San Giuliano Milanese: the demonstration of the green that wins in the middle of the cement.
Oasis of San Giuliano Milanese
  • Active & Green

The High Route of Valmalenco – 8th stage

Rif. Cristina (2227 m) - A. Acquanera (2116 m) - Piazzo Cavalli (1710 m) - Caspoggio (1098 m) - Torre di Santa Maria (772 m)
Alpe cavaglia
  • Active & Green

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 green heart of Milan

Culture and nature: in the heart of Milan, our itinerary explores the city's most beautiful gardens and green areas
The green heart of Milan
  • Active & Green

Artist’s giant benches

The hunt is on. Discover six of the brightly coloured, supersized Big Benches by Chris Bangle that are adding to the scenery in Lombardy.
Ph: I Mille
  • Active & Green

Cremona: an amazing town!

Cruises on the river, an extraordinary way to discover Cremona
La Motonave Mattei
  • Active & Green

Markets in bloom, in May in Lombardy

A guide to the most beautiful and interesting events with flowers and plants in Lombardy, including markets, exhibitions, workshops, courses and competitions.
Mercati in fiore, a maggio in Lombardia - franciacortainfiore.it
  • Active & Green

Bergamo Valle di Scalve, nature, peace and quiet

Bergamo Valle di Scalve, tra natura e tranquillità
  • Active & Green

Spine-tingling Lombardy: discovering 5 mysterious places in our region

Lombardia da brivido - Faccia del Diavolo
  • Active & Green

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
La raccolta delle castagne - Parco Regionale del Campo dei Fiori (VA)
  • Active & Green

The project "Beega"

Cremona’s Bycicle Touring
  • 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