Via dei Monti Lariani - Sentiero 2: From San Fedele to Croce

San Fedele (750 m) can be reached by bus from Argegno (line C20/C21) or from Porlezza (line C22). From the bus depot, where there is also a bus stop, cross the main road and go up to the upper part of the village; a wide mule track goes up to the locality Belvedere (940 m) panoramic point on the valley. Then you pass by Coia and a shady stretch in the wood leads up to some farmhouses in location La Zerla (1,150 m 1.40 hours).

From here with a small detour of 20 min. you can reach the Alpe Blessagno where there is the Agriturismo "Le Radici" (possibility of accommodation and refreshment). From Zerla you enter a pine forest and, after crossing a beech wood, you come out on steep pastures near the alpine pasture of Bassetta Bassa (1,300 m hrs. 0.45 ; 2.25) from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Ponna Valley and the mountains surrounding Lake Lugano. You pass right next to the ruined huts. As soon as you pass the huts, descend to the right to take a path (yellow signpost) that goes up through the woods to Alpe di Colonno. When you reach the
Once at the fence of the alpe, walk along it to reach the cross, a panoramic point. From there go down to the carriage road coming from Pigra and near a "bubble" follow it to the left.
It skirts the north face of Monte Duaria and then reaches the Rifugio Boffalora (1,250 m hr 0.50 ; 3.15) magnificent panorama of the surrounding hills, the mountains of Lenno, Monte Galbiga, the mountains of Tremezzo and the high Lario.

N.B. From here it is possible, continuing on the military road, to reach the Rifugio Galbiga/Venini (1,576 m 1.00 hours).
Continuing on the 'Via dei Monti Lariani' from Boffalora, follow the paved carriage road that leads to the Galbiga/Venini Refuge up to the first hairpin bend. Here you leave the road and climb to the right in the meadow, following the sign indicating Grandola ed Uniti.

Go around the upper part of Val Perlana through a mixed wood passing by the farmhouses of Pioda (1,256 m, 0.40 hours; 3.55 minutes). Shortly after having passed the locality "La Taiada" you leave the wood behind you to come out on an open pasture, with a beautiful view on the underlying Val Perlana. We arrive at Alpe Gada (1,260 m hrs. 0.50 ; 4.45) to then reach Piazza. Along this stretch you have an exceptional view of the lake. You can also see the monastery of San Benedetto below, a very important Romanesque structure. After having passed the village of Crusen downhill, you reach Garbagno (1,000 m). Continue on the mule track downhill. After a steep stretch you leave the mule-track that goes down to Lenno (reachable in 1,00 hours) to take another mule-track that leaves on the left, indicated by a trail marker. You will then reach the mountain hamlet of Narro (988 m 1,00 hours; 5,45).
Above the village, take another path on the right that enters a dense wood. This part of the "Via" is easily broken and can give problems in the passage.
You arrive at Ossino (1,010 m hrs 0.45 ; 6.30), a splendid natural balcony overlooking the three branches of Lake Como.
(From Ossino it is possible to descend towards Mezzegra - 1.30 hours).

After crossing two steep and stony valleys, over which loom the rocks of Monte Crocione, you reach the military road that through a notch in the rock then continues in a 120 meter long tunnel dug during the years of World War I for the Cadorna line of fortifications that extended from Monte Bisbino to Valle d'Intelvi and Val Menaggio. After the tunnel, the road winds down to the beautiful meadows of Monti Brente (880 m 1.00 hours; 7.30) with a beautiful view of the promontory of Bellagio where the lake divides into two branches. From here you follow the former military road that descends in hairpin bends, taking advantage of shortcuts where possible. You arrive at the crossroads where the mule-track that descends to Tremezzo leaves and in a short time you arrive at the Bocchetta di Nava (848 m 0.30 hours; 8.00 hours) - possibility of descent towards Griante - (1.00 hours). Continuing downhill in the direction of Croce, along the cartroad that crosses splendid chestnut groves, we reach Mie, and then Paullo (650 m). At the little church of the Madonna di Paullo, the cartroad comes out on the asphalted road, which you follow on the left and after 50 meters you take a path that leads to a road that leads to the village of Mie.
after 50 meters take a path that descends to the right. It crosses the asphalted road twice, and continues on a path that leads to Croce (385 m h. 0,45 ; 9,00) hotel - refreshment places - bus stop in the hamlet of Menaggio (2 km from Menaggio).

In the small square of the church ends the path 2. Following the state road on the right after about ten meters there is the bus stop for Menaggio (line C12) while on the other side of the road there is the bus stop for Grandola ed Uniti (line C12 Menaggio-Porlezza-Lugano) where path 3 begins (1 km on foot).

San Fedele can be reached by bus from Argegno (line C20/C21) or from Porlezza (line C22).