Osteno-Claino: Lakeside, Caves and Cultural Heritage

Osteno lies on the southeastern shore of Lake Ceresio. Water and rock define the area: the Torrente Santa Giulia plunges about 70 metres down to the lake and contributed to the formation of the seven Grotte di Rescia over millions of years. In Osteno, the Torrente Lirone and the Telo meet and plunge into the Orrido di Osteno. Osteno also has a lakeside bathing area. These natural features offer different focuses for planning your trip: lakeside, gorge and cave landscape.

Grotte di Rescia with fixed visiting times

The Grotte di Rescia can be planned around clearly defined times. A minimum visit duration of 30 minutes is recommended. Guided tours of the Grotte di Rescia are available daily by prior reservation and last 60 to 90 minutes. During the visit, 14 information panels explain the special features of the site and its rocks, as well as its history and geological formation. There are two car parks at the Grotte di Rescia: an unpaved car park on the provincial road about 20 metres from the entrance and another at the Grotte di Rescia campsite, about 100 metres from the caves.

Claino: Open-air museum and Renaissance graffito works

Borgo Dipinto Claino is an open-air museum of art, history and architecture. You can follow its tour on site using an app for scanning QR codes. A 35-minute walk connects Borgo Dipinto Claino with the Oratorio di Santa Giulia and offers panoramic views of Lake Ceresio. In Claino's historic centre, at Via alla Fontana 4, a series of Renaissance graffito works adorns the façades of the houses. The graffito works depict Petrarch's triumphs and are dated to 1535. The Oratorio di Santa Giulia contains six frescoes framed by stucco surrounds, depicting episodes from the martyrdom of Saint Giulia. The Oratorio di Santa Maria delle Grazie in Barclaino is richly decorated with stucco and paintings. The Church of San Vincenzo was consecrated on 3 August 1510. The Church of Santi Pietro e Paolo in Osteno houses a sculpture of the Madonna by Andrea Bregno di Righeggia.

Walks, hiking route and water activities

Different focuses emerge for routes and activities. The “Claino Santa Giulia Campo 1 Campo 2 Alpe di Claino” hiking route is signposted. The circular route to Alpe di Claino starts at the Grotte di Rescia campsite just before the village. The canyoning descent through the Lirone runs between Claino and Osteno and is 1,200 metres long. Sport fishing is possible at the mouth of the Torrente Telo in Claino con Osteno within a radius of 50 metres. These route and activity options range from a lakeside walk and a signposted hiking route to canyoning and sport fishing. When planning your accommodation, the different ideas for each day can determine your preferred pace.

Discover more destinations in Italy

More places for your trip to Italy: Cernobbio, Plesio, Faggeto Lario, Dolo, Cirimido, Cassina Rizzardi, Porlezza, Livo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Como.