Griante on Lake Como: Trails, Villas and Churches

For a trip to Griante, trails, historic sites and viewpoints offer different focuses to choose from. The approximately 10-kilometre-long Greenway del lago di Como passes through Griante. It can be walked in its entirety in about three and a half hours or covered in sections. A section of the historic Via Francigena Romana also runs through Griante. This makes it easy to plan between a longer hike, individual stages and a historic route.

Villas between Griante and Cadenabbia

Villa Maresi is a historic residence facing the lake between Griante and Cadenabbia. It was built between 1895 and 1905 on the ruins of an old manor house that belonged to a fortified complex, and is located in a park at the foot of Sasso di San Martino. The building is designed in the English Gothic Revival style. In Cadenabbia di Griante, Villa Margherita was built in 1853 on behalf of publisher Giulio Ricordi. Villa Collina in Griante stands on the ruins of an old medieval tower and is surrounded by a park.

Churches with History and Art

The Chiesa di San Martino already existed at the end of the 16th century under the name San Martino al Monte and received its current name and title around the middle of the 17th century. At an altitude of 475 metres, it stands on a natural terrace with panoramic views of Lake Como and the mountains in the background. In the Chiesa dei Santi Nabore e Felice, a fragment of a 14th-century fresco depicts the Adoration of the Magi at the Grotto of Bethlehem. It also contains an altarpiece of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary by Alessandro Maganza (1556–1632), a pupil of Titian.

The Chiesa Anglicana dell’Ascensione was the first Anglican church built on Italian territory. Its architecture displays features of 15th-century late Lombard Gothic: a single-nave layout, large transverse arches, a rose window on the façade, small arches beneath the eaves and pinnacles above the supporting pillars.

Hikes with Views and Military History

A hike from Griante leads to Sasso San Martino, which offers sweeping views over Lake Como. The area around Sasso San Martino was part of the Cadorna Line, an important defensive line during the First World War; trenches, tunnels and armoured positions bear witness to this. La Via dei Castelli is an easy walking trail in the hinterland and an alternative route to the Greenway del Lago di Como; it passes various sites of old fortifications. The Via dei Castelli takes about 40 minutes each way; there are free and paid parking spaces next to the starting point.

Cadenabbia as a Point of Orientation on the Lake

Cadenabbia has one of the most important ferry piers, connecting the centre of Lake Como with Varenna and Bellagio.

Further Destinations

More places for planning your trip: Monguzzo, Lenno, Magreglio, Inverigo, Santa Maria Rezzonico, Brienno, Gera Lario and Cagno.

For the overarching travel overview: Como.