This itinerary starts at di Menaggio and leads along a cart track through the woods, affording some nice views of the Val Menaggio, to Bocchetta di Nava. From here a trail, for the first part very technical and exposed, leads down with a splendid view of the Central lake area, to Griante.
Description
In order to reach Croce, from Menaggio you follow a smallpart of the cycle path along the former railway line between Menaggio and Porlezza.
From the ferry dock of Menaggio, go left along the side walk along of Via IV Novembre. After 50 meters, at a small parking lot, cross the road and head up the steep ramp that leads to the parking lot of the Menaggio Youth Hostel. Turn left and continue along Via Privata Frattelli Castelli. After 400 meters at the fork in the bend, turn right and follow the continuation of Via Privato Frattelli Castelli that ascends steeply along the side of Monte
Crocetta.
Continue along Via Privata F.lli Castelli which ends onto the main State road 340 which connects Menaggio with Lugano. Follow it to the left, uphill, for just 50m and at the next bend, on the right, pick up the cycle/footpath. The track enters the valley and passes a 90 m long tunnel.At the exit of the 90 meters long tunnel, turn left and ascend the cycle lane leading to Croce. At the traffic lights cross the main road 340 and take via Wyatt, following the signs for the Golf Course.
After passing the entrance of the golf course, continue for a few hundred meters, until you see a cart track on your left. Turn onto the track that passes the church of the Madonna di Paullo. This track, with red and white red signs n° 2, is part of the Via dei Monti Lariani, a trekking route of 125 km. Continue along the cart track which leads with some very sustained inclinations to Bocchetta di Nava, the heighest point of this itinerary. Almost immediately, at the height of a small chapel, you leave the track, and turn left and follow the path along the Dossone until you reach the beginning of the descent. The rocky trail leads down in bends with a breathtaking view … but it is “forbidden” “to get distracted because, especially in the first part, the path is very technical and exposed.
The second part of the descent is more fluid and after passing a series of steps you continue for a short stretch in the woods. You end on the paved road which you follow to the left down to Griante and from here along the lake side road you return to Menaggio.
Directions & Parking
Gallery
