A serie of three easy and relaxing lake side walks along newly built promenades, away from traffic; also ideal with strollers.
Description
A serie of three easy and relaxing lake side walks along newly built promenades, away from traffic; also ideal with strollers.
From Cremia to Musso
- time required (one way) 45 minutes
- Cremia can be reached with bus line C10
- If you are travelling by car you can park at the parking space above the Restaurant La Baia at the hamlet S. Vito.
From the bus stop walk down to the church S. Vito with its two bell towers. The church is of ancient origins. Walk down to the lake where the lake side walk starts. You skirt restaurant Lumin and some nice beaches where you can often see kite surfers flying across the water. You have a marvelous view of Monte Legnone that rises on the other side of the lake. It is the highest peak on the lake with its 2610 m.
Near the pier of Pianello del Lario it is the possibility to have a refreshment at one of the cafés. You pass close to the sixteenth century parish church of San Martino which is linked to the history of Don Guanello. It is here that the Saint worked as a parish administrator between 1881 and 1890. The presbytery of the church was frescoed by Isidoro Bianchi.
In the area of Pianello del Lario called Calozzo there is the Lariana Boat Museum (tel. +39 0344 87235). It is located in the premises of an old spinning mill; fishing boats, transport boats, as well as historical examples of the 20th-century motorboat industry are on display.
Just past the pier of Musso, you reach the old harbour with the characteristic fishermen’s houses. Slightly beyond the harbour the lake side path ends.
From the pier, go up the steep ramp that leads to the state road. The village of Musso is situated at the foot of an imposing rocky spur called Sasso di Musso. Here in 1522 Gian Giacomo Medici known as “Il Medeghino” built a castle and exercised his violent power for almost a decade on most of the lake. Along the state road you can reach the Civic Museum (tel. +39 0344 82162), which features the main activities of the village over the centuries: marble quarries, silkworm breeding and related activities (there were eight spinning mills in Musso). Musso is connected with the C10 bus line and during the summer season with the public boat service.
From Dongo to Domaso
- time required: 1h20 minutes
- Dongo can be reached with bus line C10 (bus stop Piazza Parracchini), or by public boat.
- If you are travelling by car you can park near the Parish church Santo Stefano in via Bellesini
Dongo lies on the delta formed by the river Albano. On the 27th of April 1945, the troups escorting Mussolini and some of his ministers were captured at Dongo by the local partisans. The events are remembered in the museum of the “Fine della Guerra” (End of the War) inside Palazzo Manzi in Piazza Parracchini. The museum is open from March till the end of October from 10.00-13.00 and from 15.00- 18.00. Closed on Monday.
From Palazzo Manzi pick up Via Roma and Via Tre Pievi. Cross the bridge over the Albano stream, and then the main road in order to reach the Franciscan Monastery of La Madonna delle Lacrime. It was built in the 16th century and is annexed to the monastery of the Franciscan monks. About 50 meters further on turn onto via Bellesini, which leads to the parish church of S. Stefano. It is of ancient origins but it was rebuilt in the 18th century. Behind the church the lake side walk starts and passes the beautiful beach area of Dongo. You reach the area called Sciatera where there is a sailing centre and a boat rental place. You pass a pic-nic area. Just past the swimming pool of Gravedona you follow the cart track to the left. Cross the bridge over the river Liro and you soon reach the Parish church of San Vincenzo and the magnificent church of S. Maria del Tiglio. It is one of the most important Romanesque buildings of the province. Built in the XII century it preserves precious frescoes and a wooden crucifix. Dating from the 12th century it is an unique example of carved wood from the local Romanesque period.
Follow Gravedona’s lake side promenade lined with restaurants and cafés and the boat dock. Head towards Palazzo Galli, a majestic palace with towers and loggia, built in the 11582 for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. Then walk along the uphill leading road that ends onto the state road. Immediately past the electric power plant you turn right (via Sorriso) in order to pick up the continuation of the lake side walk that leads to Domaso. It ends just before the pier of Domaso. At Domaso you can either use the public boat service
or you can walk to Piazza Ghislanzoni where there is a bus stop for the C10 bus line
From Domaso to Sorico
- time required: 1h30 hours
- Domaso can be reached with bus line C10, or by public boat.
- If you are travelling by car you can park in the area called Madonnina.
Domaso is an ancient town of Roman origins. For ages it has maintained an economy based mainly on fishing before becoming an important tourist resort. From the boat dock, cross the main road and continue to the right under the splendid arcades till you arrive in Piazza Ghislanzoni where the bus stop is. Here you enter the historical centre along the “Contrada”, the name the inhabitants of Domaso have always given to the “Antica Strada Regina,” the ancient Roman road that connected Milan and Como to the Alpine passes.
You reach Piazza della Chiesa and the San Bartolomeo church which conserves rich baroque decorations. Follow Via Roma in order to arrive in Piazza Trento and the Villa Camilla. Enter the small public park and then walk to the front of the villa that faces the lake. Cross the main road and proceed to the left. You reach Piazza della Madonnina where the tourist office stands. Just past the bridge over the river Livo, on the right, there is a street that leads down to the beach. The beach of Domaso is one of the longest beaches of the lake skirted by a lovely promenade. Here you will find many water sport facilities such as sailing and wind surfing.
The promenade offering a wonderful lake view will then lead to Gera Lario with a great view of Monte Legnone (2610 m) on the opposite side of the lake. The walk then skirts the river Mera that flows into the lake and you have a good view of Pian di Spagna, a nature reserve where many water birds breed. When you arrive close to close to the town Sorico you can either walk to the center where in piazza Cesare Battisti you will find the bus stop for bus line C10. Above the town in the woods on the right you can see the church S. Miro. You can also continue the walk along the river Mera as far as Ponte del Passo, the tip of the lake.
Directions & Parking
By public transport
Bus line C10 connects the lake side villages
Gallery
