The view from the old mule track in Sala Comacina, along the Greenway path

You’ve for sure already heard about Greenway of Lake Como: a 10 km path among the multiple souls of our lake. Beautiful villas and architectures, charming alleys of the historical centers, romantic secluded beaches, terraced lands with olive trees all around. And much more.

A promenade of 3 hours and a half (depending on your speed) that also enables possible detours towards the center of the ancient villages.

Interesting is the diversity of the paths you have to take: mule tracks, wide grassy paths, slopes, and narrow alleys.

Every single corner will teach you something more about the soul of Lake Como.

The villages along the path are seven: Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo, Griante.

There’s no way to get lost: there are metal signs on the ground with the word “Greenway” and several other signs with the iconic colors blue and yellow along the whole walk.

The Greenway is ideal both for adults and children; not for strollers or wheelchairs, unfortunately, due to the different slopes of the ground.

You can decide either to take the whole route, or to split it into five stages. Here below we have summarized for you the directions for each stage, along with some interesting fun facts about each location.

Don’t forget to jump into the official website of Greenway to know more in details about all the amenities to enjoy along the Greenway!

1: Colonno - Sala

The Greenway starts in Colonno, in Via Strada Cappella, near the bus stop. Following the signs of Greenway, continue along Via Civetta, heading for the historical center of Colonno. We have some interesting properties for sale right here: have a look!

After the little square of the hamlet, you will cross the ancient bridge over the Pessetta stream.

Fun facts:

there’s a bridge-shaped house, right on this stream! Don’t forget to take a picture of this fairy tale house!
in the past, the clay gathered in this stream was used to take care of rheumatism issues;
the stream flooded in 1905;
the village of Colonno includes four ancient districts. The one that goes from the crossroads of Via Cappella to Via Antica Regina (until the ex bar Moretti) is called “Uff”: a funny name, probably meaning “what a pain!” due to the uphill street.

Keep walking on the ancient Via Regina: here you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view on the historical center of Colonno, with the green dome of Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo bell tower.

Remember that the ancient Strada Regina was used to be a crucial connection between Como and the countries situated north of the Alps.

2: Sala - Ossuccio

Keep walking on the ancient Via Regina, among little olive groves and terraced lands. You’ll then reach the cemetery and the iconic Cappella di San Rocco in Sala Comacina: here you can take the stairs (approx. 300 meters) leading down to Sala historical center and the little harbor of the village. Have a look at the properties we have for sale here!

A colorful alley in front of Isola Comacina

Keeping walking on the old Regina, you’ll enjoy the view on the maze of colorful roofs of Sala hamlet, where you’ll immediately spot the Chiesa di San Bartolomeo.

Then cross the bridge on the Premonte valley and enter Ossuccio.

Here, pay attention when crossing the Strada Statale Regina (always quite congested) to reach the Church of San Giacomo, dating back to X - XII century. Look at its spanish belltower, called “a vela”. Fun fact: did you know that in our Menaggio headquarter we have its masonry miniature?

Ossuccio, its olive trees and its iconic bell tower

Crossing again the Strada Statale you can take Via Santuario, a cobbled alley that leads up to the Holy Mount (with the spectacular Sanctuary of Madonna del Soccorso, UNESCO heritage).

At the first crossroads, take Via Andrea Castelli, where you’ll also find a delightful expansive public park where sitting and relaxing. There’s also a little kiosk, perfect for a break.

Tremezzina (Ossuccio in particular) is the paradise of olive trees. You’ll notice hundreds of them during your trip on the Greenway!

From here you’ll see the bell tower of Santa Maria Maddalena (a superb mix and march of romanesque and gothic style), one of the most famous symbols of Lake Como. In our Argegno office we also have a miniature of this architecture too. Curious to see this tiny handmade masterpiece?

At the following roundabout, keep walking on Via Andrea Castelli and, at the end of the street, turn right. Head for the main lakeside street, while passing by the the Church of Santi Eufemia and Vincenzo. Walk on the lakeside street and reach the beautiful Villa Giovio Balbiano: do you recognize its labyrinthine garden? It’s the one featured in Gwen Stefani video of her song “What you’re waiting for”.

3: Lenno - Mezzegra

Now cross the bridge over the Perlana stream and reach the picturesque historical center of Campo di Lenno, a must-visit medieval hamlet of Tremezzina.

We particularly loved this old front door. Delightful, isn’t it?

After a few minutes of walking, you will have the Lavedo headland on your right and a small campsite on your left.

After the Albergo Ristorante Lavedo, you have two options: deviating towards Villa Balbianello (reachable after a 1 km footpath that starts from Via degli Artigiani), or continuing along the Greenway and heading for the Lenno beach. When in Lenno, have a look at the Church of Santo Stefano, the Romanesque Baptistery of San Giovanni, and the little harbor.

4: Mezzegra - Tremezzo

Cross the bridge over the Pola stream, and then continue uphill for ten minutes, until you reach Mezzegra. Turn right and then left into Via Pola Vecchia. Continue on Via Giulia Brentano, pass the Church of San Giuseppe and get to the Church of Sant’Abbondio: from its panoramic terrace you can enjoy a wonderful, direct view on the promontory of Bellagio.

Continue downhill and reach Palazzo Brentano, which dates back to the 17th century and was built by the rich local Brentano family.

Fun fact: this family made their fortune as merchants mainly in Holland and Germany. They left their native towns, like other local families, as merchants of local products like lemons, chestnuts and olive oil. In all the towns of the north of Europe where the East Indian Trade Company brought the first spices, there was a member of these local families like the Brentano. With time some of these merchants became so rich that it enabled them to built beautiful palaces in their native towns.

Walk on the antique urban center of Bonzanigo (here on April 27, 1945, Mussolini and his lover Claretta Petacci spent their last night on earth before being killed by partisans the day after). Don’t miss also the 18th cent. Palazzo Rosati!

Then go down towards the lake, turning left into Via delle Gere. Cross the bridge over the Bolvedro stream and you finally reach the main street.

5: Tremezzo - Griante

The final length of the Greenway del Lago di Como runs entirely along the lakefront of Tremezzo. One of the first things you will see is the beautiful Villa Sola Cabiati (once known as Villa La Quiete), with its manicured Italian-style garden.

The harbour in Tremezzo (with Villa Sola Cabiati in the background)

A few steps ahead you’ll see the waterfront San Lorenzo church, interesting for its neogotic and neoromanesque style.

Cross the street and enter in Parco Meier (aka Parco Teresio Olivelli, dedicated to the homonymous italian partisan): an expansive botanical park with elegant statues, a monumental staircase inspired by the Rationalist style (the architect is indeed the well-known rationalist Pietro Lingeri), and a big fountain in the middle. You will find a romantic waterfront bar, open year round.

Then pass the pier of Tremezzo, and cross the road to walk along the antique arcades with shops and restaurants. Tip: try the winery Cantina Follie for a delightful aperitivo with local products!

The stunning view on Bellagio from the waterfront promenade in Tremezzo

After a few steps you will see the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, which was built in 1910 and is still one of the finest hotels around Lake Como.

The majestic facade of Grand Hotel Tremezzo

A few minutes later you will get to the glorious Villa Carlotta.

Your stroll on the Greenway del Lago di Como ends in Cadenabbia, when you reach the English Church that was consecrated in 1891. Fun fact: this has been the very first anglican church of Italy. It’s open only on Sunday, from May to September.

Pepito loves Greenway: he comes with us every time we go there!

Are you planning a trip to Lake Como for your house hunting and you need helpful tips to get around and plan your holiday?

Get in touch!

Greenway of Lake Como: 10 Km of Pure Beauty

1: Colonno - Sala

2: Sala - Ossuccio

3: Lenno - Mezzegra

4: Mezzegra - Tremezzo

5: Tremezzo - Griante