Lake Como trails above Mezzegra: how to choose your first if you're not a hiker
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For anyone starting from Residence Celeste in Mezzegra, in the municipality of Tremezzina, the easy Lake Como trails are the ones with little height difference per kilometre, not the shortest. The Greenway has 91 metres of height difference over 11 km, with an access point 22 metres from the residence; the walk to the Soccorso sanctuary, 2.5 km, has 186. Trail 887, just 2.2 km long, has 680.
The first waymarked mountain trail begins about a hundred metres from the residence gate. From there the slope climbs fast: two kilometres take you from Mezzegra's 277 metres to the high meadows at almost a thousand. Our hiking page already lists every trail and walk that starts from here, with a map and measured data.
What's missing is a way to choose. Guests here are rarely regular hikers, and a number like "two kilometres" on its own says almost nothing: it only makes sense next to the height difference.
At a glance
- The Greenway del Lago di Como is nearly flat: 11 km and 91 metres of height difference between Colonno and Cadenabbia di Griante, with the nearest access point 22 metres from the residence.
- The loop around Lago del Piano, near Carlazzo, has 57 metres of height difference over 6.5 km and is reached by car, not on foot from the residence.
- Two walks with a gentle climb start right at the residence: Cappella degli Alpini, 3.2 km and 268 metres of height difference, and Santuario della Madonna del Soccorso, 2.5 km and 186 metres of height difference.
- Trails 887 towards Ossino and 886 towards Redendola look short at 2.2 and 2 km, but they are far steeper than the two walks from the residence: over 300 metres of height difference per kilometre.
- Elevation and height difference are measured from the trail tracks and the elevation model, and we don't publish walking times: they vary too much with pace, pack, season and ground.
What matters most when choosing a trail?
Height difference per kilometre matters more than length: two trails of the same length can be completely different experiences. Trail 887, climbing from Mezzegra towards Ossino, is 2.2 km long and has a height difference of 680 metres: over 300 metres of height difference per kilometre, most of it right above the village. The loop around Lago del Piano, near Carlazzo, is longer at 6.5 km but has a height difference of just 57 metres over the whole route.
Same units, completely different effort. That's why the trails and walks from Mezzegra below are grouped by steepness, not by length.
Which routes are nearly flat?
For anyone not looking for a mountain, two routes stay almost flat from start to finish:
- Greenway del Lago di Como: 11 km with just 91 metres of height difference, between Colonno and Cadenabbia di Griante. The nearest access point is 22 metres from the residence. We cover it stage by stage in our article on the Lake Como Greenway.
- Loop around Lago del Piano: 6.5 km with only 57 metres of height difference, around the nature reserve near Carlazzo. You reach it by car, not on foot from here.
A gentle climb, enough to get your breath going
Two walks start right at the residence and climb, without asking too much:
- Cappella degli Alpini above Rogaro: 3.2 km, 268 metres of height difference, with a view over the middle of the lake at the top.
- Santuario della Madonna del Soccorso: 2.5 km, 186 metres of height difference, up to the Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, a UNESCO site facing Isola Comacina.
Which short trails aren't actually easy?
Trails 887, 886 and 884 are short, but not easy: this is where length is misleading. Trail 887 towards Ossino and trail 886 towards Redendola both start in Mezzegra and look short on paper, 2.2 and 2 km. They aren't: both exceed 300 metres of height difference per kilometre, far steeper than the walks to Cappella degli Alpini and the Soccorso. Trail 884, from Lenno towards Garbagno, has a height difference of 633 metres in just 2.9 km. These are the three to look at closely before setting off without any training.
Real elevation, for hikers already in shape
Above a thousand metres the landscape changes and the trails ask more of your legs. Trail 887A continues from Ossino towards Alpe di Mezzegra: only 1.3 km but 533 metres of height difference, up to 1,512 metres, the steepest stretch in the whole network. Trail 881, from Ossuccio to Rifugio Boffalora, has a height difference of 967 metres over 4.2 km.
The longest of all is trail 898, from Tremezzo to Rifugio Venini: 13.9 km and 1,395 metres of height difference, a full day out. From there trail 880 continues towards Monte Crocione: another 414 metres of height difference, all of it above 1,217 metres.
What you won't find here
We don't publish walking times: they change too much with pace, pack weight, season and trail conditions to be a reliable figure. Elevation and height difference are measured from the trail tracks and the elevation model, not a judgement on your fitness.
The full map, with every trail and the walks further afield too, in Val Sanagra, above Schignano and in Val d'Intelvi, is on our hiking page. At check-in we can also tell you how the trails are doing that week: some stretches stay under snow well into spring, and mountain weather changes fast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest trail near Mezzegra?
The Greenway del Lago di Como: 11 km with just 91 metres of height difference, between Colonno and Cadenabbia di Griante. The nearest access point is 22 metres from the residence.
Which walks start on foot from Residence Celeste?
Cappella degli Alpini above Rogaro, 3.2 km and 268 metres of height difference, and Santuario della Madonna del Soccorso, 2.5 km and 186 metres of height difference, up to the Sacro Monte di Ossuccio.
How long do these trails take?
We don't publish walking times: they change too much with pace, pack weight, season and trail conditions to be a reliable figure.
Can you hike the higher trails in spring?
Some stretches stay under snow well into spring, and mountain weather changes fast: at check-in we can tell you how the trails are doing that week.
Where can I find a map of the trails?
The full map, with every trail and the walks further afield in Val Sanagra, above Schignano and in Val d'Intelvi, is on our hiking page.
