Lecco between Lakes, Mountains and History

Lecco between Lakes, Mountains and History

In the Lecco area, paths along the water, mountain landscapes and an unusually diverse cultural history come together. The province’s natural history and archaeological educational trail can be followed chronologically from prehistoric times to the 15th or 16th century, or geographically from north to south. As a continuous GPX route with an illustrated map, it provides clear guidance.

The natural history and archaeological circular trail of the Sistema Museale of the Province of Lecco, which can also be walked, leads to important historical and cultural sites in the area. Those planning individual stages of the Sentiero del Viandante will find historic villages, rural architecture, old mills, castles and quiet country churches along the route. As the trail frequently crosses the Lecco–Colico–Sondrio railway line, hikers can walk individual stages and return to the starting point by train.

Culture and History at Specific Sites

Ca’ Martì is dedicated to the history, life and work of the stonemasons of Carenno and Val San Martino. It also includes an archaeological educational trail on the history of construction work, with 16 stations in the surrounding area. Another historical dimension is represented by an archaeological site of a Gothic settlement from the 5th to 6th century AD. It is open to visitors, who can see the remains of a fortified complex built during the late Roman Empire.

The Palazzo Belgiojoso houses the Natural History Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Historical Museum and the Civico Planetario. The palazzo provides an overview of the economic, social and environmental history of the Lecco area from the Palaeolithic to the present day. The Museo delle Grigne documents the development of the Esino area through Alpine and pre-Alpine minerals, Triassic fossils, ethnographic objects, and weapons and jewellery from ancient graves.

The Torre di Maggiana (“del Barbarossa”) dates from the 12th century and is accessible across its five floors. Forte Montecchio is a fortress dug into the rock during the First World War. It includes massive walls made of worked granite, a powder magazine more than 60 metres deep and four Schneider cannons. The Civico Museo della Seta Abegg preserves machinery from disused silk-spinning mills, much of which is still operational, and is officially recognised as a museum collection of the Lombardy Region.

Lakes, River Paths and Nature

Today, the garden of Villa Monastero extends along the lakeshore, with a waterfront of just under two kilometres. The Parco Monte Barro offers a different landscape experience, with 44 kilometres of well-signposted paths leading to the park’s main points of interest. Rocky cliffs and dry grasslands characterise the natural area; its particularly species-rich flora includes rare and endemic plants.

The Anello dei Laghi begins in the centre of Lecco and follows the Adda River to Pescarenico. It is also a cycling and walking route, forming an approximately 20-kilometre circular course between the lakes of Garlate and Olginate along the Adda River. The route is mostly flat, suitable for families and can be walked or cycled at any time of year as a half-day or full-day excursion.

Mountain Landscapes and Activities

The Piani Resinelli lie at an altitude of around 1,300 metres in the Parco delle Grigne, at the foot of the Grigne. From there, the view extends from the Rhaetian Alps to Monte Rosa, over Lecco and the Lecco branch of Lake Como to the plain and, in clear weather, to the Milan skyline. The Piani Resinelli are also the starting point for numerous trails, from easy family hikes to more technically demanding tours.

Artavaggio offers trekking, mountain biking, skiing, ski touring, a fun park and snowshoeing. This means that very different landscape experiences are found throughout the wider Lecco area: flat paths along the Adda and the lakes, natural history and archaeological trails, as well as mountain tours with a considerably more demanding character.

Places in the Wider Area

Introbio, Molteno, Casargo, Brivio, Pasturo, Cassago Brianza, Gisazio, Arlate, Mandello Del Lario, Garbagnate Monastero, Premana, Oliveto Lario, Annone Di Brianza, Barzio, Oggiono, Pescate, Introzzo, Onno, Bellano, Dervio, Dorio, Esino Lario, Lecco, Lierna, Perledo, Vendrogno, Vestreno, Paderno, Barzanò, Colico, Varenna, Vercurago, Valmadrera, Malgrate, Garlate, Missaglia, Olginate, Costa Masnaga, Robbiate, Casatenovo, Maggio, Morterone, Bevera di Sirtori, Olgiasca, Baita, Primaluna, Abbadia Lariana, Montevecchia, Merate, Cernusco Lombardone, Calolziocorte, Carenno, Bosisio Parini, Ballabio, Cassina Valsassina, Fiumelatte, Rovagnate, Suello, Cremella, Nibionno, Taceno, Piantedo, Torre De' Busi, Campo, Imbersago, Bindo, Olgiate Molgora, Cremeno, Calco, Civate and Limonta.

For the overarching travel overview: Lombardy.