Sentiero del Viandante - Third Stage

The third stage of the Sentiero del Viandante leads from Varenna to Dervio, for a total length of 12.06 km.

Starting from Varenna train station, descend into the village following Via alla Stazione and then Via per Esino. Then take Via Venini to the left and cross the town in the direction of Lecco until you reach the multi-storey parking lot. Here you have to take Via Roma, and follow it until you cross a street that goes up on the left near number 25.

Following the orange signs of the Sentiero del Viandante, go up along the street until the end of the street and here again on the left you will find the path that goes up towards Vezio.
This is a steep path, with a very uneven surface in places, that climbs the hill, for the most part in the woods, but which offers some nice views of Varenna.

The route then comes out among the houses of Vezio, a town where the castle of the same name stands.
Crossing the main square of the village, you take a staircase that descends into the woods until it becomes a small path.
At the end of the descent, you will pass over a small bridge flanked by an ancient stone house that crosses the orrido di Vezio.

Continuing along the staircase, you will reach an asphalted road, where you have to turn right, then left and immediately after the factory take the staircase on the right.
You pass a chapel and continue with olive trees on one side and vineyards on the other.

Once you arrive in the village of Regolo, be very careful as the signs here are rather confusing and it is very easy to make a mistake. As soon as you arrive in the center of the village follow the right that leads to the town of Perledo.
When you reach the hairpin bend where the town hall of Perledo is located, turn left into Via Per Tondello.

At the end of via Per Tondello there is again the path that goes down towards via Alla Cava Alta, take it and continue on this uphill road. Along this road it is possible to admire the magnificent view of Varenna. Once arrived at a chapel, the path continues going down towards the left, inside the wood. Following it downhill, you arrive at the church of Madonna Delle Grazie.

Passed the church, cross the road in front of it, the path continues exactly on the other side of the road.
The path now continues inside the wood, meeting chapels and several abandoned ruins. It then passes by the hamlet of Zucco and then descends towards Bellano.
The path, if taken in the morning, up to this point is almost always in the shade, something to keep in mind in the coldest periods.

As soon as you reach the town of Bellano, after having passed the ravine, not visible from the path itself, you arrive at the little church of San Rocco, near the cemetery.
The path continues right next to the little church and goes up to the hamlet of Ombriaco. You cross the Strada Alta di Ombriaco and you climb towards the Santuario Madonna Dell Lacrime.

From here it is possible to enjoy a really scenographic view on the southern part of the lake.
Crossing the hamlet of Lezzeno, the path continues through the meadows until it reaches the hamlet of Oro, but leaving it to the left and continuing along the road of the same name in the direction of Dervio.
Take the first street that climbs towards the right in the direction of Verginate and continue until you meet the well-marked path on the left.

From here on, the path continues without turning towards Dervio and the not very thick vegetation offers enchanting views and a path almost always exposed to the sun. This brings you to Via Duca D'Aosta, which crosses the municipality of Dervio.
To reach the train station, continue along Via Duca D'Aosta until you cross Via Martiri della Liberazione. Turn left and then right into Via Roma, at the end of which is the station.

Both the departure and arrival towns are served by the Lecco - Sondrio railway network, so it is possible to reach the beginning of the itinerary and return by train. If you reach the starting point by car, the train is always the most convenient way to return to the same. Information on schedules and tickets on the site Trenord.

There is ample paid parking near the train station. You can find further paid parking along the surrounding streets. There is also a free parking along Viale Giovanni Polvani, before entering the town of Varenna, coming from Lecco. It is advisable to park near the station in order to facilitate the return to the car.