The Greenway is a leisurely and pleasant walk of about 10 km that leads from Colonno to Cadenabbia following traces of the “Antica Strada Regina”, an antique connection road.
ROUTE: The Green Way starts at the south end of the town Colonno where there is a bus stop. Follow the signs indicating La Greenway del Lago and ascend the road named via Cappella. Then continue along via Civetta that leads to the historic centre of the town.
You pass the street that leads down to the main square of Colonno (a worth while deviation of 200 m) and then cross the bridge over the Pessetta stream. Here you find yourself on a part of the ancient Roman road called “L’Antica Strada Regina”. This ancient road used to be an important connection between Como and the countries situated north of the Alps.
After a pleasant walk of about 30 min. you reach Sala Comacina where near the cemetery the chapel S. Rocco stands (from the chapel there are steps that lead down to the medieval centre of the town, approx. 300 meters). The Greenway continues along the Antica Strada Regina, up near the parking on the left, offering a wonderful view of the lake and of the Island Comacina. Past the bridge on the Premonte valley, you will enter the town Ossuccio.
The cobble stone path reaches the main road at Spurano. Cross it in order to reach the church of S. Giacomo that dates back astride the X or XII century. Then recross the main road and follow the street up in the direction of the Madonna del Soccorso Sanctuary. At the crossroads with via Castelli take the road to the right which crosses through the town with a lovely view of the Santa Maria Maddalena bell tower.
At the roundabout you descend towards the locality Isola and pass the church SS. Eufemia and Vincenzo. Cross the main road and walk past the beautiful villa Balbiano; after crossing the bridge on the Perlana stream you enter the picturesque historical centre of Campo di Lenno. At the exit of Campo follows a brief unactractive stretch but then it continues along Dosso di Lavedo on the right and a small campsite on the left.
Just past the Hotel Lavedo you have the possibility of deviating towards villa Balbianello (1 km – open from mid March till mid November – attention! the walk way is only open on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday) or continuing along the Greenway to the lido of Lenno. Continue along the lake side front of Lenno with its lovely villas and the piazza with the Santo Stefano church and the Romanesque baptistery of San Giovanni to the boat dock.
You cross the bridge over the Pola stream and pass in front of the S. Giorgio hotel. A small alley way leads to the main road that you cross. It continues uphill for about ten minutes in order to reach Mezzegra and via Pola where you turn right. At the next.crossroad turn left into via Pola Vecchia” .
You come out in via Brentano that you follow to the right, past the oratory of San Giuseppe, to the church of S. Abbondio. From the churchyard you have a splendid view of the lake. From the church you continue slightly downhill in order to arrive at Palazzo Brentano. This palace of the 17th century was built by the influent local Brentano family, who 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, chesnuts and olive oil , and achieved to occupy important posts in the European commerce.
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, Mainoni, Pini and Carli. With time some of these merchants became so rich that it enabled them to built beautiful palaces in their native towns. You cross through the antique urban centre of Bozzanigo and near Palazzo Rosati of the 17th century you end up on the road.
From here descend towards the lake and then turn left in via delle Gere. Cross the bridge over the Bolvedro stream, and continue the descent towards the lake until you reach the main lake side road. The final stretch of the Greenway runs along its safe side walk; you pass the beautiful villa La Quiete with its Italian-style front garden and a beautiful wrought iron gate and then enter Parco Olivelli with its elegant fountain. Once out of the park it continues along the lake under the arche of La Darsena hotel to the Tremezzo boat dock.
Just past the Bazzoni hotel, we suggest crossing the road in order to walk along the antique arcades with shops and restaurants. Recross the main road and pass the Grand Hotel Tremezzo built in 1910, one of the finest lake side hotels. You walk along the entrance of the Villa Carlotta built in 1690 with its beautiful park and museum and then enter the commune of Griante; opposite the English Church, consacrated in 1891, you will find the Cadenabbia ferry dock and the bus stop.
ITINERARY: Colonno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio, Lenno, Mezzegra, Tremezzo, Griante TOTAL WALKING TIME: 3hrs 30min
ASCENT: 100 m
DIFFICULTY: Easy
TRAIL SIGNS: Green metal signs on the pavement and road signs CONNECTIONS: to Colonno by bus – C10, from Griante: by bus – C10 or ferry