Since we are in the vacation season, I thought I’d give some ideas on what to do, moving around, if we are short on inspiration, have little time or maybe just want to experience something different.
And do all this while walking, of course.
We have a lot of walks in Italy and choosing which one to do is not an easy thing to do.
It depends a lot on our level of preparation, the time we have available, our experience and even the environmental conditions.
Today we start with a simple but beautiful path that starts in Lecco, points north and arrives in Morbegno: The Wayfarer’s Path.
Why do I say it is simple?
First of all because of the length: it is only 75 km total and there are as many as 13 possible stages (which would mean less than 6 km per stage).
This allows you to organize with the stages according to your level of preparation.
We can do it in one day, in two, in three (perfect for a weekend with 25 Km per day) or more if we want to take it very easy.
Personally, the part of the walk I like best is the one from Lecco to Colico because it runs entirely along Lake Como and is about 50 km long.
I said it’s easy but not that it’s easy: we’re still talking about 2,000 meters of elevation gain and a bottom that is best done with trail or hiking shoes.
Consider that–on the flat–you walk at about 10 to 12 minutes per kilometer while, as the elevation gain increases, everything becomes more unpredictable.
However, one can assume to walk half a day (or a little more) and then enjoy a few hours of vacation, tourism and pure laziness.
Or, perhaps, the lazier ones can avoid the more complicated stages – like the one between Lièrna and Varenna – by using public transportation or, given the context, the boat.
Definitely more appropriate.
The places are marvelous because you walk halfway up the hillside with Lake Como on the left and, on the right, the mountains (the Grigne, for example).
Among woods and villages, encountering beautiful places such as the Orrido di Bellano, the Fiumelatte (one of the shortest rivers in Italy at about 250 meters), the Borgo dai mille Gradini (Corenno Plinio) and the Castello di Vezio.
And maybe, if we are really very lucky, we will even get to see the Lariosaurus: a mythical prehistoric reptile; practically the Italian variant of the Lochness monster.
The trail is built on mule tracks and small roads that were used to transport goods and connect villages, and have only been recovered in recent years.
In short, I would say that to get started, the Wayfarer’s Trail is the right choice.
If you want more information go to https://www.ilsentierodelviandante.eu
