• 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

The Patriarch's Greenway Path

An easy walk to discover Varenna and its most charming corners, with unique views on the central lake.
  • Active & Green

The High Route of Valmalenco – 2nd stage

Rif Bosio (2086 m) - A Mastabbia (2077 m) - A Giumellino (1756 m) - Laghetti Sassersa (2369 m) - Passo Ventina (2675 m) Alpe Ventina (1960 m)
Laghi Sassersa
  • Active & Green

Trekking with Alpacas

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

Sporting Landmarks in Lombardy

A selection of iconic sporting venues to take us through the history of sport in the Region as we move towards the Milano Cortina games.
  • Active & Green

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.
Fiume Po
  • Active & Green

Villoresi forest

Come and spend a nice day in the Bosco Villoresi oasis of Carugate!
Villoresi Forest
  • Active & Green

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
Il parco dello Stelvio, Bormio e la Valdidentro
  • Active & Green

Foppe di trezzo

Trip outside the town of Trezzo d'Adda to discover a small but very suggestive WWF oasis.
Foppe di Trezzo
  • Active & Green

Autodromo di monza

Monza and Formula 1 are two excellences of Motorsport.
Autodromo Nazionale Monza
  • Active & Green

10 Good Reasons to Visit Sondrio

10 idee per visitare la Valtellina
  • Active & Green

The Park Colonie Padane is open!

Come and discover the park!
  • Active & Green

Bergamo Valle di Scalve, nature, peace and quiet

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

The 10 Most Beautiful Trees in Varese, The Garden Province

Between scenic historic gardens, large forests and lakeside villages, the province of Varese is a treasure trove of arboreal jewels.
  • Active & Green

Lombardy: spring has come to town

Spring flowers bloom on the balconies, terraces, window sills and in the gardens of Lombardy's towns and villages 
Lombardia: la primavera arriva in città
  • Active & Green

On foot in Lombardy

8 itineraries to discover Lombardy on foot. From Lake Maggiore to Val Camonica, and from Pavia to the heart of Val Masino.
On foot in Lombardy
  • Active & Green

Between lake and mountains the 10 most beautiful trees in the Province of Como

From the neoclassical villas to the wildest forests, the landscapes of the Lake Como region and the trees they contain enchant with their variety.
  • 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

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

Visit to Val Gerola

Val Gerola
  • Active & Green

Kitesurf in Lombardy

Where to do kitesurfing in Lombardy
Windsurf, Como lake
  • Active & Green