Veleso at the Foot of Monte San Primo

Veleso lies at the foot of Monte San Primo in the hinterland of the Lariano Triangle. Numerous trails lead from here to the surrounding mountains and offer views of Lake Como. The village therefore combines experiences in nature with a compact, historically shaped local environment – an appealing combination if you would like to combine hiking, regional culture and local cuisine during your trip to Italy.

Hiking Between Mountains and Lake

The Veleso–Monte Forcoletta trail ends at the open Forcoletta mountain saddle at an altitude of 1,263 metres. From there, you can enjoy views of the western arm of Lake Como. The Veleso–Monte San Primo trail takes six hours to walk and also offers 360-degree panoramic views. A shorter option is the “Giro dei tre campanili”, which takes one and a half hours. The circular trail “Tra creste fino al Monte San Primo” starts and ends at Piazza Municipio in Veleso. The different walking times help you assess which length best suits your daily itinerary.

Churches and Sacred Art

The parish church of Sant’Antonio Abate in Veleso was consecrated on 25 March 1946. The parish of Sant’Antonio Abate had already been established in 1592 in an area separated from the Pieve di Nesso. Also in Veleso is the Chiesina dell’Addolorata, which was built in the 15th century. Sant’Andrea in Erno was separated from Veleso in 1748 and became an independent parish. The church preserves paintings by Luigi Tagliaferri. Another attraction in the Lariano Triangle, the Pinacoteca Schiavo is one of the region’s cultural points of interest.

Crafts and Living Tradition

The processing of metal wire is a local tradition that originated in the hamlet of Erno in 1797 and is still active today. Local handicrafts also include hazelwood baskets, which are considered a typical local product. The feast day of Sant’Antonio Abate is celebrated on the Sunday closest to 17 January. Traditionally, it includes the blessing of the fire of a bonfire. Alongside the trails and churches, customs like these give your stay a clear local character.

Cheese and Regional Dishes

The surrounding area can also be explored through its cuisine. In some huts scattered among the area’s pastures, you can sample goat’s and cow’s milk cheeses. The local restaurants serve typical dishes such as pulénta vüncia, supa de scigulin, paradell and pulenta balota. These specialities complement the scenic and cultural perspective on Veleso with the region’s characteristic flavours.

Getting to Veleso

From Nesso, the Lariana provincial road climbs to Veleso over a distance of six kilometres. By public transport, Veleso can be reached from Como on bus route C32. By choosing accommodation in Veleso, you can make a village the focus of your trip where trails to Monte San Primo, churches, crafts and regional cuisine come together in a single destination.

More places for your trip to Italy: Dosso del Liro, Breglia, Musso, Rovello Porro, Gera Lario, Valbrona, Orsenigo, Caglio.

To the higher-level travel overview: Como.