The Green Way of Lake is a walk of about 10 Km, from Colonno to Tremezzo, which follows the route of the ancient roman origins the Via Regina, which was the only and main drag along the western shore of the Lake in the past.
Today I want to introduce you this pleasant walk, not hard at all and so beautiful. It takes you through the typical villages of the center lake , the famous Centro Lago, the heart of Lake Como. It begins in Colonno to then reach the nice village of Sala Comacina, from where you enjoy stunning views over the so called “Gulf of the Oil” with the Isola Comacina, the only Island of my lake that was so meaningful in the past centuries and nowadays is an interesting open air museum with its ruins connected to the Middle Age. In few minutes you go down at the lake shore, exactly in Ossuccio, and walk close to the ancient romanesque Church of Saint James which keeps inside some frescoes of the XIV century, one of them can be seen also on its side wall; the Via Regina used to pass just at the side of this small grey stones Church. Try to image how many people, pilgrims, merchants walked on this old path in the very past centuries.
We are now really in the heart of Lario Lake (the official name of Lake Como)!
Lenno is the very nice village that you meet after, and the green way let you pass through the old streets of Campo, its hamlets of medieval origins, Villa where there is still a military tower dating that time to then walk along its beautiful “lungo Lago”, one of the well knowest lake walk of the area. From here you enjoy an amazing view to Bellagio. Do not forget that this is also the village of the unique Villa Balbianello, located not far from the green way path! But this is another story, just try to imagine how gorgeous this piece of lake is!
From Lenno a short rise takes you to Mezzegra, and to the parvis of the XVII century Church of Saint Abondio, dedicated to the patron of Como. In the Church you admire magnificent baroque frescoes made by one of the main Masters of this are: Giulio Quaglio who belonged to the tradition of the Magistri Comacini, later known as Magistri Intelvesi.
Mezzegra has a bunch of elegant country palaces among which Palazzo Brentano, owned by this family who built a good business net in Holland and Germany first selling typical items of Lake Como agriculture such as olives, citruses and chestnuts and later becaming one of the wealthiest European families. From the hamlet called Bonzanigo you walk down again to the lake and you arrive in Bolvedro a very cosy corner of Tremezzo, one of the most popular tourist locations of the Lake. Bolvedro has a nice little inlet where in summer time it’s easy to see elegant wooden boats, the famous Riva boats ! Just behind the corner is the very elegant Villa la Quiete, that represents the typical mansions built along the lake shore during the XVIII century for the main noble European families. Try to imagine how splendid it is!
From Bolvedro walking through the beautiful Meier garden ( public garden of Tremezzo) , where a nice kiosk is situated and you can stop for a break tasting a local wine, an original Italian Spritz, a gelato/icecream or whatever you wish, you easly arrive at the gorgeous Villa Carlotta of Tremezzo. A guided visit of it is a “must”! 😉 Try to imagine all its important artworks and its lush garden with so many flowers, plants and forest trees coming from all over the world! But this is another story and I’ll tell you about in another article 🙂
After this cultural stop at the Villa Carlotta you can decide if taking a ferry to Bellagio or seat and relax breathing all the beauty of my Lake!!!
And now try to imagine how beautiful this walk is and how better it can be doing it with me, your official Tourist Guide of Lake Como District !!! 😉 So do not waste time and write me or call me, so I organize your special day along the Green Way of Lake Como!!
The pictures in this article are by Daniela Rampoldi Tourist Guide Lake Como
