The Greenway del Lago di Como is a walking route of 11.5 km (7 mi) in one of the most picturesque areas of western Lake Como. It follows the ancient Via Regina, built by the Romans to connect Como with territories beyond the Alps.
The Greenway, which passes through the villages of Colonno, Sala Comacina, Tremezzina and Griante, offers splendid views and examples of architecture, villas and gardens (e.g. Villa Carlotta).
The Greenway can be divided into five stages, so if you just want to take a short walk, you can do only one or two stages and return to the starting point via C110 bus.
Discover the Lake Como Greenway!
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The Greenway begins in Via Strada Cappella, Colonno, at the southern end of the town (near the C110 bus stop). Follow the metal signs – either vertical or on the ground – marked “Greenway del Lago di Como” and then continue along Via Civetta toward the historic center of Colonno.
After passing the descent toward the lake that leads to the town’s main square, cross the bridge over the Pessetta stream. Just outside the center of Colonno, a gently ascending road offers a splendid view of the village with the bell tower of the Church of San Michele Arcangelo.
Continue along the ancient Via Regina until you reach Sala Comacina, where you can enjoy a splendid view of Isola Comacina. From here, heading down the stairs, you can visit the medieval historic center (where you’ll find the C110 bus stops) or continue along the Greenway.
1. Bridge over the Pessetta stream
2. View of Colonno and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo
3. View of Isola Comacina
This part of the route begins near the Chapel of San Rocco and, after a few minutes, offers a splendid view of Sala Comacina and the Church of San Bartolomeo, whose bell tower peeks out from among the rooftops.
Cross the bridge over the Premonte Valley and enter Ossuccio, a hamlet of Tremezzina. Once you reach the main road, watch out for cars!
Head to the Church of Saints Giacomo and Filippo, an ancient Romanesque church that I recommend visiting if you have time, then take Via Santuario and immediately turn right onto Via Andrea Castelli.
Pass by Ossuccio public park, where there is also a café, and continue to the end of this stretch, passing the Church of Saints Eufemia and Vincenzo. The stage ends at Villa Balbiano, a splendid historic mansion used for filming the movie “House of Gucci” directed by Ridley Scott.
1. View of Sala Comacina and the bell tower of the Church of San Bartolomeo
2. Church of Saints Giacomo and Filippo, a Romanesque-style church dating from the 10th to 12th centuries, with a must-see interior richly decorated with wall paintings
3. Church of Saints Eufemia and Vincenzo, that was built in the 12th century following the destruction of the basilica of the same name on Isola Comacina.
4. Villa Balbiano, a historic residence and location for weddings and events; in 2021 Villa Balbiano was used as a filming location for the movie “House of Gucci,” directed by Ridley Scott.
You are now at the third section of the Lake Como Greenway. Cross the bridge over the Perlana stream and reach the picturesque old town of Campo di Lenno (another hamlet of Tremezzina), which runs alongside Villa Monastero Pax, a wedding and photography venue.
After a few minutes’ walk, you will find the Lavedo promontory on the right and a small campground on the left.
Past the Albergo Ristorante Lavedo, you have two options:
Once you arrive at the Gulf of Venus, enjoy a walk along Lenno’s beautiful lakefront and don’t forget to visit the Church of Santo Stefano and the Baptistery of St. Giovanni. Here you’ll also find plenty of bars, restaurants, and ice cream shops for a break.
After that, you can continue to the Lenno pier and proceed along the Greenway or set off for another destination.
1. The historic village of Campo di Lenno, with its cobblestone alleys, where you can admire the gates of Villa Monastero Pax (a venue for weddings and photo shoots).
2. Path to Villa Balbianello: from this gate, located directly on the Greenway, you can reach the villa in about 20 minutes on foot. The route is mostly uphill but easy to walk.
3. Golfo di Venere: the perfect spot to enjoy magnificent views while strolling along one of Lake Como’s most beautiful lakeshores, or to relax at one of the cafés or restaurants with tables overlooking the lake.
4. Baptistery of St. Giovanni, an octagonal building dating back to the second half of the 11th century and dedicated to St. John the Evangelist.
Cross the bridge over the Pola stream, then follow a narrow alley that leads to the main road. Cross the road and continue uphill for ten minutes until you reach Mezzegra.
After about a 10-minute climb, you’ll come out onto Via Pola; turn right. At the next intersection, turn left onto Via Pola Vecchia and, after passing the Church of San Giuseppe, continue to the Church of Sant’Abbondio, from whose churchyard you can enjoy a splendid view of the lake and the Bellagio promontory.
Continue slightly downhill to reach Palazzo Brentano, dating back to the 17th century and built by the wealthy local Brentano family. Take a stroll through the historic center of Bonzanigo, then head down toward the lake, turning left onto Via delle Gere.
Crossing the bridge over the Bolvedro stream and skirting the village, you will finally reach the main road that runs along the lake (just a short walk from the bus stop).
1. Church of San Giuseppe and Church of San Abbondio, two churches built between the 17th and 18th centuries in scenic spots inland from Tremezzina.
2. Historic villages of Bonzanigo and Bolvedro, places where time seems to stand still.
The final stretch of the Lake Como Greenway runs entirely along the lakeshore in Tremezzo and Griante. One of the first sights you’ll encounter is the splendid Villa Sola Cabiati (formerly known as Villa La Quiete), which boasts a well-maintained Italian garden.
A few minutes later, you’ll see the eclectic Church of San Lorenzo and pass through Teresio Olivelli Park, where you can grab a coffee at the park café or relax in the shade of centuries-old trees.
Just outside the park, you’ll pass the Lake Como Landscape Museum, which houses a collection of old prints of the lake and a multimedia system that allows visitors to compare historical maps and images with the area’s current layout.
Once past the Tremezzo pier, cross the street to stroll through the ancient arcades lined with numerous shops and restaurants. After a few steps, you’ll see the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, built in 1910 and still one of the most popular hotels on Lake Como.
A few minutes later, you’ll pass by Villa Carlotta, which features a large botanical garden and a museum not to be missed.
Immediately after Villa Carlotta, you enter Griante. The route passes through the hamlet of Cadenabbia, where, opposite the Anglican Church of the Ascension, there is a pier from which you can board a boat—even with your car—to the lake’s main destinations (Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio).
The route finally runs alongside the splendid villas of Griante and ends at the beach. From here, you can take the C110 bus back to the starting point.
1. Church of San Lorenzo, an imposing eclectic-style church in Tremezzo with a beautiful facade featuring neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque elements.
2. Parco Teresio Olivelli, a small botanical and architectural gem that provides access to the lake and is ideal for relaxing in the shade of its towering trees or sitting at tables in its small café. In summer, this park can host food and music events in a unique landscape setting.
3. Lake Como’s Landscape Museum: located inside Villa Mainona, it houses a collection of old prints of the lake that offer a fascinating look of Lake Como, and a multimedia system that allows visitors to compare maps and historical images with the current layout of the area.
4. Villa Carlotta: surrounded by a wide botanical garden, the villa is home to a museum that collects works by Canova and Hayez. Ideal to visit in springtime, during the blossom period.
9 pax
4h
10 pax
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