The Via dei Monti Lariani is the long mid-slope trail that runs for 125 kilometres, in four stages, along the western side of Lake Como. The second stage connects San Fedele Intelvi to Croce, a hamlet of Menaggio: 26 kilometres for about 9 hours of walking through Val d’Intelvi, with Rifugio Venini — a former Cadorna Line barracks converted into a hut — as a landmark at the midpoint.
The starting point, San Fedele Intelvi, is reached by bus from Argegno on the C20/C21 lines; the finish at Croce connects to Menaggio, itself served by the C12 line towards Grandola ed Uniti. The route follows CAI Como waymarking (red-white-red flags, number 2).
From San Fedele Intelvi to Rifugio Venini
The path climbs from San Fedele Intelvi (750 m) towards Belvedere (940 m) and La Zerla (1,167 m), passing Agriturismo le Radici, before reaching Bassetta Bassa (1,300 m). From here the route passes Alpe di Colonno and Alpe Boffalora (1,250 m) — home to Rifugio Alpino Boffalora, a refreshment stop along the way — up to Rifugio Venini, at 1,576 metres: about 2 hours from San Fedele Intelvi, the shortest way to the hut.
From Rifugio Venini to Menaggio
Past the hut, the trail descends through Alpe di Ossuccio and Alpe di Lenno, touches Bolla di Mezzegra and continues towards Monti Brente (880 m) and the Bocchetta di Nava pass (848 m), the last saddle before the descent to the lake. From here the path drops to Paullo (650 m) and finally to Croce, a hamlet of Menaggio, where the stage ends.
Practical information
- Length and duration: 26 km, about 9 hours of walking according to the official source (menaggio.com).
- Elevation gain: about 800 m.
- Difficulty: intermediate (E).
- Waymarking: CAI Como, red-white-red flags, number 2.
- Stopping points: Agriturismo le Radici (2h from San Fedele, plus a 20-minute detour); Alpe di Colonno (2h30); Alpe di Sala (3h); Rifugio Boffalora (3h15); Rifugio Venini (4h15) — check the smaller stops by phone before setting out for current hours and availability.
- Bus access: C20/C21 line (Argegno–San Fedele Intelvi); C12 line to Grandola ed Uniti, near the Menaggio finish.