Lombardy - Outdoor Activities
 

Hi All,

First, this forum is awesome. I wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts on outdoor activities in Lombardy. The fiancee and I aren't much in to churches (please no comments, just isn't our thing) and would much rather see natural beauty. Thanks to Allison's great post, we are tentatively planning to stay in Levanto for a few days to hike the cinque terre towns. After that, I thought a trip to the lake area would be nice since neither of us have ever been there. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on a good home base where we good venture out on hiking/biking/rafting day-trips and a trip to Como. And if so, if anyone had any recommendations for places to get information/rentals. Thanks so much for the help. If only my employer knew how much time I was spending on this website as I plan my honeymoon ;)

There are lots of hiking/walking options in the mid-Lake Como area (especially south of Bellagio and out of Varenna). Water sports will not be available in October.

If you are serious cyclists, a pilgrimage to the Madonna della Ghisallo church south of Bellagio is a must. It's not really a church, per se, but rather a shrine to the patroness of cyclists and all the greats of Italian cycling. The walls of the small chapel are covered in cycling memorabilia, and the small museum of cycling next door contains more exhibits.

A fanatical cyclist (being a level way above serious) would cycle from Bellagio to Ghisallo (a difficult climb) which is a stop on every Giro de Lombardia. This race is the last single-day race of the international cycling season and always makes a stop at Ghisallo. It's held at the end of October, usually on the last Saturday.

Visiting mid-Lake Como iin late October, however, means your lodging options will be reduced. Most (but not all) hotels in Bellagio and Varenna close after the second or third weekend.

Go to www.bellagio.co.nz for lots of information on Bellagio.

Thanks Jean! Our honeymoon would be in April next year and wanted to see what you thought about that timeframe in regards to weather/activities/lodging. Thanks again - C

If you want more hiking, then the UK company Sunflower publishes a book for that. Their walks for Lake Como range from moderate to extereme.

For natural beauty, Lake Como has plenty of that. As far base towns: Varenna, Menaggio and Bellagio offer the best boat service. I think most travelers stay in one of these three towns. You might consider Lecco and Como as well. Como is served by train by Milan's metro-area commuter rail. Lecco and Varenna have regional train service.

As to the weather in April, parts of Lake Como are eight miles from Switzerland. The Lake Como area is considered pre-alpine.

Hi Big Red,

Maybe you can help me. I check the weather report for say Como and see a high of 72F but then when I hit averages I see the average hi in April of 44? Is that correct? I realize Lake COmo is pre-Alpine, but that seems like a fairly severe temp change. Thanks

My Landmark guide to the Italian Lakes says that the Average Daily Temperature in April would be 13 degrees Centigrade (appx 60 degree farenheit). So a daytime high of 70 seems possible. You really should consult a few different temperature sources.

You should also be prepared for something colder than 70 degrees. Remember that the lake produce strong breezes, so any coolness would be intensified.

OTOH Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places on earth.