THE INTELVI VALLEY

The Val d'Intelvi is a beautiful valley that connects Lake Como with Lake Lugano. There are many picturesque villages and some have become small tourist resorts like S.Fedele and Lanzo. A visit to the top of Monte Sighignola (1300 m.) - also called "the balcony of Italy" - is highly recommended.

Route: Menaggio - Argegno - S.Fedele - Scaria - Lanzo -
Claino con Osteno - Porlezza - Menaggio 59 km.

Follow the road from Menaggio in the direction of Como. At Argegno (15 km from Menaggio) you turn right in the direction of Val d'Intelvi. The road quickly ascends to enter the vast sunny plains, marked by chestnut woods, characteristic of this whole area.. After passing Muronico and Dizzasco, you reach Castiglione (608 m), once a fortified village. You pass the oratorio of the Madonna del Restello (restel means gate), the village’s defensive post during a plague. It was constructed in 1717. Inside the precious baroque stuccos of the altar and the scagliola frontal show the craftsmanship of local artists. The Maestri Intelvesi, a group of architects and artists worked in the courts of Europe but during the winter returned to their valley embellishing it with their works of art. After a few kilometres you arrive at S. Fedele (779 m). Worth seeing is the parish church S. Antonio, with its Romanesque façade and precious portal, master piece of the Maestri Intevesi. From S.Fedele we recommend the breathtaking car route passing through Pigra to “Rifugio Boffalora” (1200 m) tel. 0344 56486 past “Alpe di Lenno” (1495 m) to Rifugio Galbiga (1.576 m.) tel. 0344 56671 which offers magnificent views of both lake Lugano and Lake Como. Continuing from S. Fedele you reach Pellio, where you take left to Lanzo Intelvi. You pass through the village Scaria with its “Museo della Valle” with a collection of local art and fossils of the valley open in July and August 15.00-19.00; other months on request. Worth a visit is the Parish church of Santa Maria which has a beautiful late baroque façade with stuccos and statues. Once at Lanzo you find the road signs for the top of the “Sighignola”. On the way back from Lanzo, after having passed Pellio d'Intelvi you turn left at the crossroad and pick up the road leading to Claino con Osteno. From Osteno you follow the road along the Lake of Lugano in the direction of Porlezza. Opposite the camp-site “Grotte di Rescia” there are the caverns of Rescia. They can be visited From Easter till the end of September from 14.00-18.00. At Porlezza where you turn right at the traffic lights in the direction of Menaggio.

By bus:
Menaggio - Argegno line C10 (direction Como)
Argegno - Lanzo line C20 (bus stop at Belvedere)

Breglia

Breglia is a small town situated in the mountains at a height of 750 m just 7 km from Menaggio. Along this route you can enjoy magnificent views down to the lake and surrounding mountains.

Route: Menaggio - Loveno - Plesio - Breglia 7 km.

Follow the road from Menaggio in the direction of Lugano. After a few curves at the first intersection you turn right to Loveno-Plesio. In the small hamlet Loveno in the 18th century, artists and the high society liked to stay in its splendid villas. Among these Villa Garovaglia Ricci and Villa Mylius Vigoni, now owned by the German Federal Republic and seat of the German-Italian cultural foundation Villa Vigoni which organises high level meetings. The romantic park can be visited on reservation tel. 0344 361 232 on Thursday afternoon. You pass through Piazzo and then arrive at Logo that has maintained its ancient structure with its winding, cobbled stone lanes. The old wash house and the church of St. Sebatiano are worth a visit. Past Ligomena and Cavaseglio you reach Plesio which has maintained its medieval structure. Once at Breglia we suggest a short walk of just 10 min. up to the “Santuario della Madonna di Breglia” from where you get a beautiful view of Menaggio; the path starts next to the cemetery. Along the cobbled steps leading to the sanctuary you find some of the 14 granite stations of "I Misteri del Rosario". Inside the church, there is a marble statue of the Virgin Mary which has been venerated for more than two centuries. It was kept in a modest oratory until in 1777 the present church was built. Near the cemetery you can see a Roman tomb dating back to the VI c. It was custom in the roman age to place tombs along the main roads to keep the memory of the deceased alive. In fact the old roman road, “L’antica Strada Regina”, one of the main connecting roads with the alpine passes, used to pass by Breglia. It lost its importance when the shorter passage over Sasso Rancio, between Menaggio and Acquaseria, was opened. The village is a good starting point for many hikes; in an hour and a half you can reach “Rifugio Menaggio”tel. 0344 37282, balcony of Lake Como. Meals and lodging available. Ask for the route description. On the way back to Menaggio, at the village Ligomena, we recommend a detour to the village Barna. The road offers a splendid view of the Val Menaggio. In the middle of the quiet church square there is a lovely fountain.

By bus: Menaggio - Breglia line C13

Lugano

Route: Menaggio - Porlezza - Lugano 27 km.

By Bus: Menaggio - Lugano line C12

Lugano is situated in canton Ticino in Switzerland and is a famous holiday resort. The road from Menaggio to Lugano leads through the Val Menaggio which connects Lake Como with Lake Lugano. In the valley lies the little lake Piano, a protected natural oasis; it is worth while to have a short stop at the "Casa della Riserva" with its small eco museum; from its veranda there is a lovely view on the little lake. You soon reach Porlezza, where every Saturday a nice market is held on the lake side promenade. The road continues along the lake side of Lugano, also called Ceresio. After having passed the border at Oria Valsolda, you soon arrive at Lugano. Lugano lies in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by numerous mountains offering splendid viewpoints. The town centre with its Mediterranean-style squares and arcades, and numerous parks with sub-tropical plants such as the Parco Civico on the shores of the lake invite you to stroll around. By the lakeside promenade are the Belvedere Gardens, where the parkland boasts not only camellias and magnolias but also modern works of art. In the Museo Cantonale d'Arte are paintings by Klee, Jawlensky, Renoir and Degas, among others and Villa Malpensata offers interesting art exhibitions. In the last 50 years, the Ticino region, and Lugano in particular, have developed into an important region for architecture. The most well-known representatives of the "Ticino School" are Luigi Snozzi and Mario Botta. Botta's Banca del Gottardo (Viale Franscini), the Palazzo Ransila (Via Pretorio) and his own workshop on the Via Ciani are good examples. The two closest mountains to Lugano, Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè which you can reach by funicular, give you an outstanding panorama of the town, Lake Lugano and the alpine scenery. Sightseeing at Lugano: Ciani Park, frescos of the church S.Maria degli Angeli, art exhibitions at Villa Malpensata or Villa Ciani, shopping in the famous Via Nassa. An excursion by funicular to the top of Monte Bré or San Salvatore is highly recommended.

PEGLIO - LIVO - DOSSO DEL LIRO

These mountain villages situated in the valleys above Gravedona still largely conserve the original urban structure and antique appearance of the houses. From these villages it is possible to hike to surrounding slopes in areas which are still isolated and living on the rural economy of the alpine pastures.

Route:
Menaggio - Gravedona - Peglio - Livo - Dosso del Liro - Menaggio
54 km.

Follow the road from Menaggio in the direction of Colico as far as Gravedona. Close to "Albergo 2000", you turn left to Peglio Livo Dosso del Liro. Just before reaching the village of Peglio (655 m), you pass by the church S. Eusebio from where you have a magnificent view over the northern end of the lake. Inside the church, rebuilt in 1607, there are frescos of Fiammenghino, who in between 1614 and 1625, painted most of the frescos of the church. In the village Peglio there are still numerous antique houses and some devotional frescos on the outside walls of the buildings. The village Livo is situated in the valley of the torrent Livo. Most of the houses show the characteristics of country architecture. We recommend the walk to the church San Giacomo (14th century) which stands isolated near the cemetery 10 min. by foot from the village. From here you can reach by foot (0.50 min.) "Crotto Dangri" a typical restaurant, situated on the river near an ancient stone bridge. Back at Peglio continue by car and at the intersection follow the indications for Dosso del Liro. The village is situated in the valley of the river Liro. Outside the village stands the antique parish church S.Pietro in Costa.

By bus:
Menaggio - Dongo line C10 direction Colico bus stop Covento Francescano at Dongo
Dongo - Peglio line C18

Val Cavargna - Val Rezzo

The Val Cavargna and Val Rezzo are two beautiful valleys surrounded by mountains more than 2000 m high. You can enjoy magnificent views and beautiful mountain scenery following this route. The road is quite narrow, good driving skill is compulsory.

Route:
Menaggio - Carlazzo - Cavargna - Buggiolo - Corrido - Porlezza - Menaggio
53 km

By bus: Menaggio - Cavargna Linie C14

Follow the road from Menaggio in the direction of Lugano. At Piano di Porlezza (8 km from Menaggio) turn right in the direction of Carlazzo. The road offers a wonderful view on the Val Menaggio with its little lake Lago di Piano, a natural oasis. At Carlazzo turn right to Val Cavargna. The windy road climbs up to Cusino (800 m) where the antique oratory of S. Ambrogio stands. The road then leads through San Bartolomeo and San Nazzaro that is clustered to the south slope of Pizzo di Gino (2245 m). You cross the stream Cuccio and then arrive at Cavargna (1071 m). The fertile slopes helped developing the rural economy. The people of the valley led a hard life though and smuggling and migration were a reality in the local area. The last 40 years many farmers left the agricultural activity and went to work in the close by Switzerland. At Cavargna there is "Il Museo della Valle" - museum with an ethnographic type of collection - showing how life used to be in the valley open on Sunday from 14.00-17.00; other days on request tel. 0344 63162. Turn back to the intersection at the beginning of the village, and turn right to Buggiolo. You pass the mountain pass called "Passo della Cava" (typical restaurant at the pass) and you enter "Val Rezzo". From Buggiolo you can reach in one hour by foot, the famous church San Lucio (1.541 m) right on the Swiss-Italian border. Ask for the route description. Past the village Buggiolo the road leads down to Corrido and from there to Porlezza, where you turn left at the traffic lights to Menaggio.

Monte Bisbino

From the top of Monte Bisbino 1325 m you have a splendid view of Como, the Mendrisio area, the Varese area, Monte Rosa, Milan and the plain of Lombardy. Route:
Menaggio – Cernobbio – Rovenna – Monte Bisbino
42 km

Follow the road from Menaggio in the direction of Como and after 28 km take the turn to the center of the town Cernobbio. This town is famous for its villas such as Villa d’Este, now one of the best known hotels in the world, and Villa Erba, today an exhibition center. The small square on the lake with its landing stage in liberty style is worth a visit. In the center of Cernobbio in Piazza Mazzini, you pick up the road leading to Rovenna and from there to the top of Monte Bisbino. In 1916 the 12 km long road leading from Rovenna to the top of Monte Bisbino was built. Monte Bisbino was part of the great defense line called “Linea Cadorna”, built in 1915 along the Swiss-Italian border, fearing a possible German offence. In the province of Como it extended from Monte Bisbino near Como to Sasso Cordona, Monte Galbiga and Monte Crocione and from there down to the Crocetta above Menaggio. From Rovenna its possible to take a walk which leads along the Antica Strada Regina, road built by the Romans, as far as Carate Urio. Ask for the route description. From Cà Bossi, a summer camp, just before getting to the top of Monte Bisbino one can take a lovely walk following a stretch of the Via dei Monti Lariani path 1 passing the Rifugio Bugone tel. 031 513808, the Rifugio Murelli
tel. 338 8241727, the agriturismo Roccolo di San bernardo
tel. 339 3150561 and Rifugio Binate tel. 334 3691854. Route description available.

By bus: Menaggio – Cernobbio Linie C10 Cernobbio – Rovenna Linie C28

NAGGIO - MONTI DI GOTTRO

Naggio is a small picturesque village typical of those you encounter on the way to Monti di Gottro. Along this route you can enjoy beautiful views of the Menaggio valley as well as the Sanagra valley. In the area above Naggio there are several "crotti" - typical restaurants - where you can try the local dishes.

Route:
Menaggio - Grandola ed Uniti – Cardano – Codogna – Velzo - Naggio – Monti di Gottro – Naggio - Gottro - Carlazzo - Corrido - Porlezza - Menaggio 26 km.

6 km Follow the road from Menaggio in the direction of Lugano. At Grandola (4 km from Menaggio) you turn right in the direction of Grandola ed Uniti. After a few meters at an intersection we recommend the small detour to Cardano. A walk through this lovely village will lead you the entrance of the villa Bagatti Valsecchi with its beautiful gate work which encloses the court yard. Once back at the intersection you continue your way to Codogna.The village is characterized both by rural and elegant houses such as Villa Camozzi of the 1700s, now seat of the town hall and of the Ethnographical and Natural Museum Val Sanagra open every last Sunday of the month and from May to September every second and last Sunday tel. 0344 32115. A bit further you pass the baroque church S. Siro built in 1637. The road leads past the rural village Velzo and then arrives at Naggio (550 m). At the parish church of St. Antonio you turn left. Before continuing the drive we highly recommend a stroll through this enchanting village with its lovely square. Back on the road after 50 m. you get to an intersection. Those who want to try the local cuisine at one of the "crotti" turn right here and follow the road into the "Val Sanagra" (3 km); from here you can hike up to the alpine pastures where during the summer months cheese is produced. Ask for the route description. Those continuing to Carlazzo go straight on. Before arriving there you pass through the village Gottro where we recommend a visit to the church S. Giorgio with its Romanesque bell tower and frescos of the 1400; it stands a bit outside the village near the cemetery. At Carlazzo (481 m), where you can visit the local ethnographic museum of milk at the Centro Civico, open on Tuesday and Friday from 16.00 till 17.00, turn left to Corrido. Before arriving at Corrido you pass a bridge called "Ponte del Saltone" over a 136 m. deep gorge. From Corrido follow the road down to Porlezza where you turn left at the traffic lights to Menaggio.

Porlezza - Valsolda

The road to Porlezza leads through the Val Menaggio, the valley that connects Lake Como with Lake Lugano. In the valley there is the small Lake Piano, a protected natural oasis. Porlezza is a tourist resort situated on the Italian part of Lake Lugano also called Ceresio. Every Saturday there is a market on the lakeside at Porlezza. Ask for the brochure on Porlezza. Valsolda, situated on the Swiss/Italian border, is a beautiful area where you find some interesting churches built by the Maestri Comacini (famous sculptors and architects of the Val d'Intelvi who worked all over Europe especialy during the renaissance period). At Cressogno there is the "Santuario della Caravina", at Puria the parish church built by Tibaldi one of Italy's most famous architects. We highly reccomend a visit to the typical village "Castello" which you can reach by foot from Puria.

Route:
Menaggio - Porlezza - Cima - Madonna della Caravina - Cressogno - Loggio - Puria – Dasio – S. Mamete - Albogasio – Castello - Menaggio - 42 km

Follow the road in the direction of Lugano. After a stop at Porlezza (12 km from Menaggio), continue in the same direction. Just past the town Cima, you find the indication for the "Santuario della Madonna della Caravina" to the right. Back on the main road you pass the town Cressogno and just before entering a tunnel, you turn right to Loggio, Puria and Dasio. We reccomend a stop at every town. On your way back from Dasio to Puria, after having passed the parish church at Puria, you get to a bisection. The road to the left is the one leading back down to the main road; the road to the right leads to the cemetery (1 km) where you can park the car and continue by foot to the typical village "Castello". Both "Via alla Derta" and "Via Confolonieri" lead to "Castello" (10 min.) (by foot from the bustop at Puria 40 min.).

By bus: Menaggio - Porlezza Linie C12
Porlezza - Puria Linie C12

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