The Via dei Monti Lariani is the long mid-slope path that runs for 125 kilometres, in four stages, along the western shore of Lake Como. The fourth and final stage connects Garzeno to Sorico and is the only one of the four designed as a two-day trek: about 50 kilometres in total, mostly away from the lake, in a part of the Alto Lario that is quieter than the previous stages. It suits hikers looking for a multi-day experience at altitude, with an overnight stop in Peglio, who want to complete the entire Via dei Monti Lariani to its final point.
The starting point is Garzeno, where Stage 3 also ends, reachable by bus line C17 from Dongo; the endpoint is Sorico, served by bus line C10. The route follows CAI Como waymarking, red-white-red flags, number 4.
Day 1: from Garzeno to Peglio
The first day runs almost entirely away from the lake, with limited elevation gain relative to its length. From Garzeno (the church square) the trail climbs past a small chapel dedicated to Sant’Anna (920 m), passes Cagnavo and Cragno (850 m), then continues to Ievia, Nessa and L’Agnone (920 m) up to Ponte di Bodanghel (985 m) and Monte Piazza (998 m), the highest point of the day. From there the route descends towards Ponte di Vincino — near which, via a short detour, stands Rifugio Vincino, a former Guardia di Finanza barracks converted into a hut, always closed and unattended: the available sources disagree on its management and bed capacity, so it is not yet a standalone page on the site — and reaches Dosso del Liro (625 m) before the final descent to Peglio (650 m), the overnight stop.
Along this first stretch, between Garzeno and Peglio, hikers also pass the oratory of Madonna del Gorghiglio, a small mountain church that has offered shelter to walkers in this area for centuries.
Day 2: from Peglio to Sorico
The second day crosses a wilder, even less frequented area. From Peglio the route passes Livo and Ponte di Dangri, a characteristic stone bridge, then continues through Barro, Puii and Trobbio up to Tabbiadello, a scenic knoll overlooking Domaso and Gera Lario. From Montalto, a roughly ten-minute detour leads to Rifugio Dalco, set among centuries-old chestnut woods with views over the lake and the Orobie Alps. The route then continues towards Piazza Lunga and Fordeccia (1,094 m), the highest point of the day, before descending towards Sass Olt — with views over Lake Mezzola and Val Chiavenna — Pozzi, Peledo and Selve. Shortly before reaching Sorico, hikers pass the sanctuary of San Miro, a pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages, reached by a staircase that descends towards the final stretch of the walk down to Sorico.
Practical information
- Distance and duration, Day 1 (Garzeno-Peglio): 24 km, about 8 hours — a figure confirmed by two independent sources (menaggio.com and CAI Dongo). Elevation gain: +300 m.
- Distance and duration, Day 2 (Peglio-Sorico): official sources disagree — menaggio.com reports 26 km and 8h30 with 626 m of ascent, CAI Dongo reports about 22 km in 8 hours, myLakeComo.co reports 22 km, 8h30 and 1,094 m of ascent. Check an up-to-date map or GPS app before setting out, given the discrepancy.
- Difficulty: intermediate (E), hiking boots recommended.
- Waymarking: CAI Como, red-white-red flags, number 4.
- Support points: Rifugio Dalco (short detour from Montalto, opening by reservation); Rifugio Vincino near Ponte di Vincino (always closed and unattended, keys must be requested in advance — sources disagree on the managing municipality).
- Bus access: line C17 (Dongo-Garzeno) for the start; line C18 (Dongo) for Dosso del Liro, Peglio and Livo; line C10 for Sorico, the endpoint.
- Connections: Stage 4 concludes the Via dei Monti Lariani; the starting point, Garzeno, is also the endpoint of Stage 3.