The group will meet in the hotel lobby of the Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel & Conference Centre (connected to the Milan Mapensa Airport) at 10:00 AM and transfer to Lake Garda. You'll have time for a short afternoon exploratory walk in the area before an orientation and welcome dinner. Overnight in Garda (LD)
We take a boat southward along the lake to the town of Garda and the start of our hike, which takes us along the lake and then up into the area’s attractive olive groves. We pass some fascinating prehistoric rock carvings before descending to pretty Torri del Benaco and its 15th century fortifications. (BSD)
Ascent: 900 feet | Descent: 900 feet | Distance: 7 miles (may vary)
We drive partway up the slopes of Monte Baldo, the dramatic mountain ridge that rises above Lake Garda, where sweeping views stretch across the lake and toward the distant Alps and Dolomites. From here, our hike climbs onto the mountain and follows a beautiful combination of quiet tracks, open meadows, and panoramic ridge paths at elevations reaching 6,200 feet. With the lake spread out below us and mountains filling the horizon, this is one of the most scenic hikes of the journey. We eventually descend back toward the lake, where the remainder of the evening is free to explore Garda at your own pace and enjoy dinner independently. (BL)
Ascent: 1800 feet | Descent: 1800 feet | Distance: 8 miles (may vary with use of gondola)
We leave Lake Garda for lesser-known, tranquil Lake Iseo and a pretty high hike with stunning and varied views over the lake. Overnight in Riva di Solto above Lake Iseo. (BLD)
Ascent: 1500 feet | Descent: 1200 feet | Distance: 7 miles (may vary)
We drive onto historic Varenna on Lake Como, a picture-perfect, stylish village, getting acquainted with the lake on a pretty lakeside walk through some of the characteristic villages along its shores. before getting a boat back to Varenna. (BLD)
Ascent: about 1200 feet | Descent: about 1200 feet | Distance: 5 miles (may vary)
We take a ferry across the lake and drive up high into the hills above the lake for a hike along pasture paths to a high grassy ridge with spectacular views over all three branches of Lake Como and the Swiss Alps beyond., before taking the ferry back to Varenna. This evening, guests will have the opportunity to explore Varenna and enjoy dinner on their own. (BL)
Ascent: 1800 feet | Descent: 1800 feet | Distance: 9 miles (may vary)
We ferry across Lake Como to famous historic lakeside village, Bellagio, for a half-day hike through its charming historic hamlets with views of the lake and the surrounding hills, concluding in one of Lake Como’s historic botanical gardens before lunch, some free time in Bellagio and then a ferry back to Varenna. (BLD)
Ascent: 500 feet | Descent: 500 feet | Distance: 3.5 miles (may vary)
We take a ferry over to the western shores of Lake Como and drive up to a high ridge at 4000 feet for a bucolic hike through Alpine meadows giving us breathtaking views of the Italian and Swiss Alps and down onto both Lake Como and Swiss Lake Lugano. We then drive onto a Milan airport hotel. (BLD)
Ascent: 1700 feet | Descent: 1700 feet | Distance: 8 miles (may vary)
Depart Milan on return flights or onward travel. Departing flights can be booked anytime today as the final hotel is connected to the MXP Milan Malpensa Airport.(B)
We rate this trip as moderate. You should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. You should be capable of walking 3 to 5 hours per day on good trails with some steep ascents and descents (averaging 1,500 to 2,000 vertical feet per day) at an elevation up to 7,300 feet above sea level.
Assume 2.5 miles/hour on the flat.
Assume 1200 feet of up per hour.
Assume 2000 feet of down per hour.
