The grand Lariani Mountain trek is the Lombardian part of the “Sentiero d’Italia –Italian Path-“ a wonderful excursion which starts in Cernobbio and goes through localities of the Western Range of Mountains of Lake Como. Destination is Sorico after a walking distance of 125 Km. Most of those localities at an altitude between 600 and 1200 meters were used by the Lario’s (old name for Lake Como) inhabitants and their cattle; that’s the origin of the name “Via dei Monti Lariani” as a way intended to connect these old settlements which are partially abandoned, destroyed or still in use.
It’s an easy walk, designed by CAI Como, divided into 4 sections and completely signposted. It gives the unique opportunity of admiring dazzling views of the Lake and the surrounding mountains.
La via dei Monti Lariani

La via dei Monti Lariani

Sentiero1: Cernobbio - San Fedele D'Intelvi

The first fraction is divided into two sectors. The first and more difficult one anticipates a facultative ascend from Cernobbio to the peak of the Bisbino Mountain; the second sector, an easy path of great naturalistic interest, stretches along the summit of the entire mountain range between the basin of lake Como and the Swiss Canton Ticino until the rocky pyramidal top of Sasso Gordona.
Close to the end of the trail you enter the Valley d’Intelvi, rich with prairies, forests and villages. The Valley as such is divided in two smaller valleys, one direction North and Ceresio, one South towards the lake.

Sentiero 2: San Fedele d'Intelvi - Val Menaggio

From San Fedele d’Intelvi the “Alta via dei Monti Lariani –Grand Lariani Mountain trek-“ can be hiked in two distinctive directions: reaching the Mount Bisbino through Path number 1 or follow Path number 2, direction Menaggio admiring fantastic views, between lake and mountain and having the option of reaching the villages by the lake through steep descending paths (called Bretelle). Furthermore path 2 is an innovative track of antique pathways and cattle trails which connects spots of unique historical and geological interest and landscapes of stunning beauty

Sentiero 3: Grandola e Uniti - Garzeno

From Grandola and Uniti till Garzeno, the “Alta via dei Monti Lariani –Grand Lariani Mountain trek-“ crosses an area of spectacular beauty which has not been affected by the urbanisation developments which is a characteristic feature of the Western Lake shoreline. The path, accurately signposted, is connected to the villages of Acquaseria, Santa Maria Rezzonico, Cremia, Pianello and Musso through steep descending paths (called Bretelle).
Moreover on the way you will encounter the lovely little village of Breglia, connected by public transports to Menaggio. The village is not only a very good starting point for the “Alta via dei Monti Lariani –Grand Lariani Mountain trek-“ but also the departure point for a very nice hike called "Sentiero delle 4 Valli –Path of the 4 valleys-" marked 3/ red paint which will lead after a walking distance of 50 km through the Sanagra, Rezzo and Valsolda Valleys to the Lake Lugano. Besides from Breglia you can also reach the Rifugio Menaggio and start the well known Alpinist track.

Sentiero 4: Garzeno - Sorico

The wildest and longest track is the most interesting one given the great landscape’s variety between valley and mountains. It’s advisable to split the hike in two parts: the first one between Garzeglio and Peglio –walking distance around 8 hours (4/A) dedicated to the discovery of the Y shaped Liro Valley: the San Jorio Valley up west and the Dosso Valley up north. Along this path which is far away from the Lake you can spend the day in the heart of an Alpine landscape characterized by forests, small rivers, prairies and peaceful solitude. The second part from Peglio to Sorico –walking distance around 7 hours and 30 minutes opens the wanderer to the Livo and Sorico Valleys which together with the Albano Valley constituted in the 16th Century the Tre Pievi Republic of Dongo, Sorico and Gravedona. It can be considered an exploration track since most forest areas are not inhabited and quite wild.