Italy's lakes Orta, Maggiore and Como tour
Hike and explore on an Italian lakes tour
At the majestic gateway to the Alps unfolds an enchanting Italian lakes tour, revealing the unrivaled treasures of Northern Italy's three most beautiful lakes.
Your adventure begins with the grandeur of Lake Maggiore, where the Borromean Islands capture your imagination. You then slip into the intimacy of Lake Orta, before succumbing to the irresistible charm of Lake Como, the true jewel of Italy's lakes.
You'll discover breathtaking panoramas on scenic hikes, framed by the most spectacular Alpine peaks. Following age-old trails winding between picturesque villages and historic chapels, you'll feel transported back in time.
Romantic villas and lush botanical gardens will punctuate your journey, adding an elegant touch to this unforgettable adventure.
Highlights
- Tour of the Italian lakes
- Panoramic views from Mottarone
- Daily easy hikes
6 days
/ 5 nights
Price: Consult us
Activity
Hike
Journey TypeTrip Multi-center
Trip Type
Self-guided
Hiking Grade : Terrain Difficulty : Possible departures from 25 September to 25 September
Day by day program
Day 1 : Arrival in Lake Maggiore - The Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso
Arrival in Stresa and check-in at your hotel for two nights.
Depending on your arrival time, you may take a boat ride (round trip not included) to visit the 13th-century Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, perched on a cliff and offering exceptional views over the lake.
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ***
Day 2 : The Borromean islands
The day begins with a boat excursion to the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Madre. On Isola Bella, you’ll discover the magnificent Borromeo Palace, with its sumptuous rooms and surrounding terraced gardens that are sure to amaze you. Isola Madre, on the other hand, reveals dazzling natural beauty, with exotic botanical gardens to wander through and a historic palace steeped in history.
At the end of the day, return to Stresa.
HIKING TIME : 3h
BOAT TIME : 2h
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ***
Day 3 : Mottarone - Lake Orta
The day begins with a transfer in your own vehicle to the Mottarone station (toll road to be paid on site: €10) for a short loop hike to the summit of Mottarone, rising to 1,491 meters. At the top, a spectacular 360-degree panorama awaits, embracing Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, and in the distance, the towering peaks of Monte Rosa and Monviso.
After taking in these enchanting views, you begin the descent to the shores of Lake Orta. The day continues with a boat ride to the island of San Giulio, home to an ancient abbey, winding lanes, and a serene, timeless atmosphere.
Transfer in your own vehicle to Lenno, on the shores of Lake Como.
HIKING TIME : 3h
DSTANCE : 6 km
ASCENT : 310 m
DESCENT : 310 m
BOAT TIME : 30'
CAR TIME : 2h15
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Day 4 : Villa Carlotta - Bellagio
Boat excursion and Lake Como hike
Depart by boat for Villa Carlotta. Explore its terraced Italian gardens and English-style garden with sweeping perspectives, while the villa itself boasts a rich interior adorned with Neoclassical artworks.
Next, take a boat to the village of Bellagio. From there, embark on a scenic loop hike along the lakeside and the foothills of Mount San Primo, with stunning viewpoints over Lake Como.
Back in Bellagio, conclude the day with a visit to the village and the gardens of Villa Melzi.
Return to Lenno by boat.
HIKING TIME : 3h30
ASCENT : 300 m
DESCENT : 300 m
BOAT TIME : 1h
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Day 5 : Bellano - Varenna
Boat and hike along Lake Como
Take a boat to Bellano. Begin your hike along the Sentiero del Viandante toward Varenna. This trail winds through lush slopes, offering enchanting views of Lake Como along the way, before leading you to Varenna, a charming romantic village with colorful houses.
From Varenna, return by boat to Lenno.
HIKING TIME : 4h
ASCENT : 300 m
DESCENT : 300 m
BOAT TIME : 1h45
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Day 6 : Villa Balbianello
Breakfast and Villa del Balbianello
After breakfast at your accommodation, depart to visit the gardens of Villa del Balbianello. This villa is nestled on the Punta di Balbianello peninsula, in a stunning location on the shores of Lake Como. Enjoy a self-guided visit of the villa’s gardens.
End of your stay.
Arrival in Stresa and check-in at your hotel for two nights.
Depending on your arrival time, you may take a boat ride (round trip not included) to visit the 13th-century Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, perched on a cliff and offering exceptional views over the lake.
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ***
The day begins with a boat excursion to the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, and Isola Madre. On Isola Bella, you’ll discover the magnificent Borromeo Palace, with its sumptuous rooms and surrounding terraced gardens that are sure to amaze you. Isola Madre, on the other hand, reveals dazzling natural beauty, with exotic botanical gardens to wander through and a historic palace steeped in history.
At the end of the day, return to Stresa.
HIKING TIME : 3h
BOAT TIME : 2h
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ***
Day 3 : Mottarone - Lake Orta
The day begins with a transfer in your own vehicle to the Mottarone station (toll road to be paid on site: €10) for a short loop hike to the summit of Mottarone, rising to 1,491 meters. At the top, a spectacular 360-degree panorama awaits, embracing Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, and in the distance, the towering peaks of Monte Rosa and Monviso.
After taking in these enchanting views, you begin the descent to the shores of Lake Orta. The day continues with a boat ride to the island of San Giulio, home to an ancient abbey, winding lanes, and a serene, timeless atmosphere.
Transfer in your own vehicle to Lenno, on the shores of Lake Como.
HIKING TIME : 3h
DSTANCE : 6 km
ASCENT : 310 m
DESCENT : 310 m
BOAT TIME : 30'
CAR TIME : 2h15
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Day 4 : Villa Carlotta - Bellagio
Boat excursion and Lake Como hike
Depart by boat for Villa Carlotta. Explore its terraced Italian gardens and English-style garden with sweeping perspectives, while the villa itself boasts a rich interior adorned with Neoclassical artworks.
Next, take a boat to the village of Bellagio. From there, embark on a scenic loop hike along the lakeside and the foothills of Mount San Primo, with stunning viewpoints over Lake Como.
Back in Bellagio, conclude the day with a visit to the village and the gardens of Villa Melzi.
Return to Lenno by boat.
HIKING TIME : 3h30
ASCENT : 300 m
DESCENT : 300 m
BOAT TIME : 1h
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Day 5 : Bellano - Varenna
Boat and hike along Lake Como
Take a boat to Bellano. Begin your hike along the Sentiero del Viandante toward Varenna. This trail winds through lush slopes, offering enchanting views of Lake Como along the way, before leading you to Varenna, a charming romantic village with colorful houses.
From Varenna, return by boat to Lenno.
HIKING TIME : 4h
ASCENT : 300 m
DESCENT : 300 m
BOAT TIME : 1h45
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Day 6 : Villa Balbianello
Breakfast and Villa del Balbianello
After breakfast at your accommodation, depart to visit the gardens of Villa del Balbianello. This villa is nestled on the Punta di Balbianello peninsula, in a stunning location on the shores of Lake Como. Enjoy a self-guided visit of the villa’s gardens.
End of your stay.
The day begins with a transfer in your own vehicle to the Mottarone station (toll road to be paid on site: €10) for a short loop hike to the summit of Mottarone, rising to 1,491 meters. At the top, a spectacular 360-degree panorama awaits, embracing Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, and in the distance, the towering peaks of Monte Rosa and Monviso.
After taking in these enchanting views, you begin the descent to the shores of Lake Orta. The day continues with a boat ride to the island of San Giulio, home to an ancient abbey, winding lanes, and a serene, timeless atmosphere.
Transfer in your own vehicle to Lenno, on the shores of Lake Como.
HIKING TIME : 3h
DSTANCE : 6 km
ASCENT : 310 m
DESCENT : 310 m
BOAT TIME : 30'
CAR TIME : 2h15
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Boat excursion and Lake Como hike
Depart by boat for Villa Carlotta. Explore its terraced Italian gardens and English-style garden with sweeping perspectives, while the villa itself boasts a rich interior adorned with Neoclassical artworks.
Next, take a boat to the village of Bellagio. From there, embark on a scenic loop hike along the lakeside and the foothills of Mount San Primo, with stunning viewpoints over Lake Como.
Back in Bellagio, conclude the day with a visit to the village and the gardens of Villa Melzi.
Return to Lenno by boat.
HIKING TIME : 3h30
ASCENT : 300 m
DESCENT : 300 m
BOAT TIME : 1h
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Day 5 : Bellano - Varenna
Boat and hike along Lake Como
Take a boat to Bellano. Begin your hike along the Sentiero del Viandante toward Varenna. This trail winds through lush slopes, offering enchanting views of Lake Como along the way, before leading you to Varenna, a charming romantic village with colorful houses.
From Varenna, return by boat to Lenno.
HIKING TIME : 4h
ASCENT : 300 m
DESCENT : 300 m
BOAT TIME : 1h45
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Day 6 : Villa Balbianello
Breakfast and Villa del Balbianello
After breakfast at your accommodation, depart to visit the gardens of Villa del Balbianello. This villa is nestled on the Punta di Balbianello peninsula, in a stunning location on the shores of Lake Como. Enjoy a self-guided visit of the villa’s gardens.
End of your stay.
Boat and hike along Lake Como
Take a boat to Bellano. Begin your hike along the Sentiero del Viandante toward Varenna. This trail winds through lush slopes, offering enchanting views of Lake Como along the way, before leading you to Varenna, a charming romantic village with colorful houses.
From Varenna, return by boat to Lenno.
HIKING TIME : 4h
ASCENT : 300 m
DESCENT : 300 m
BOAT TIME : 1h45
ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse or hotel depending on selected choice
Breakfast and Villa del Balbianello
After breakfast at your accommodation, depart to visit the gardens of Villa del Balbianello. This villa is nestled on the Punta di Balbianello peninsula, in a stunning location on the shores of Lake Como. Enjoy a self-guided visit of the villa’s gardens.
End of your stay.
Dates and prices
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Trip Notes
Reviews of this trip
5
Sophia
1 Juin 2024
Italian lakes tour 6 days
Everything went very well. The accommodations were excellent, and the itinerary you prepared ran exactly as planned. It was a very rewarding trip, allowing us to discover a region with stunning landscapes—not to mention the Borromean Islands and the villas with their flowering gardens. The weather was also pleasant, though somewhat cloudy, but without any rain during our walks.
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Tour of the Italian lakes