Lombardy lacks the sea. Yet between green lakes and cool alpine valleys, there is certainly no shortage of options for a fun holiday. Known for its industrial sector and large cities and densely populated areas, Lombardy actually offers large green areas, as many as 25 parks and protected areas, including the Stelvio National Park. There are also 4 main lakes, among the largest in Italy: Maggiore, Como or Lario, Iseo or Sebino, Garda or Benaco. Not to mention the smaller ones such as Lake Varese, Lake Endine or Lake Idro. Finally, well over 40% of its territory is mountainous, with peaks that exceed 3000 meters, up to 4020 meters of Punta Perrucchetti in the Bernina group.
In this article, we hope to help you by suggesting 8 ideas for your summer holidays in Lombardy.
- Mountain holiday in Alta Valtellina
- Mountain holiday in Val Camonica
- Mountain holiday in the Brembana Valley
- Mountain holiday in the Seriana Valley
- Holiday on Lake Maggiore
- Holiday on Lake Como
- Holiday on Lake Iseo
- Holiday on Lake Garda
1. A mountain holiday in Alta Valtellina
Alta Valtellina, in the northern part of Lombardy, boasts the highest mountains in the region and much of this territory is in fact included within the Stelvio National Park.
Places such as Bormio, Santa Caterina Valfurva or Livigno are internationally renowned destinations. Needless to say, hikers will get their money’s worth here. From the numerous refuges to the splendid Val Zebrù, where the deer and the bearded vulture are at home, passing through the glaciological path of the Forni valley. If you are looking for a multi-day trek, look no further: The Giro del Confinale is for you.
Road bike lovers can try their hand at the many passes that have made the history of cycling and the Giro d’Italia, such as the Gavia, the Stelvio or the Mortirolo.
Not far away, it is possible to move into the middle valley to raft on the Adda river, with grade II rapids. And the famous Bernina Train departs from the elegant Tirano, to enjoy breathtaking scenery along the tracks that lead to Saint Moritz, Switzerland.
2. Mountain holiday in Val Camonica
The upper Val Camonica, near Ponte di Legno, is another internationally renowned destination for Lombard tourism. Inserted within the Adamello Park, the hiking itineraries here merge with history. The whole area was in fact the main theater of the “white war”, the battles fought at high altitude during the First World War between the Italian Alpini and the Austrian KaiserJager. The path of flowers, a route equipped with Tibetan bridges, which follows the via ferratas built by the Italian army during the conflict, is therefore absolutely worth a must. For lovers of multi-day treks, the Alta Via Camuna covers an exciting route over 2000 meters above sea level in 3 days.
Two-wheel enthusiasts can instead try their hand along the Tonale pass, which marks the border with the autonomous province of Trento.
Finally, moving to the nearby and Trentino Val di Sole, you can go rafting on the Noce river, with powerful grade IV rapids.
3. Mountain holiday in the Brembana Valley
The Brembana Valley is one of the two main valleys in the province of Bergamo. It does not boast emblazoned peaks such as Bernina or Adamello, but its valleys that are still wild and far from mass tourism offer a special charm. San Pellegrino Terme, the main municipality in the valley, is a respectable tourist destination with a fascinating Art Nouveau past, as evidenced by the buildings of the Grand Hotel and the Municipal Casino, now home to a wellness and spa center.
From refuges to countless medium and high mountain itineraries, the options for hikers are numerous. We have collected the 10 best hikes in Val Brembana in this dedicated article. Of great charm, the Orobie path is a multi-day circular trekking route that runs through the Orobie of the Brembana Valley and the contiguous Seriana Valley.
Cycling enthusiasts and fatigue enthusiasts will not fail to take the road that climbs up to the San Marco Pass, a historic connection between the Brembana Valley and Valtellina, commissioned by the podestà sent from Venice in 1593 to avoid customs duties from rival Milan and trade directly with Switzerland.
On the Brembo river in the months of April, May and June it is possible to go rafting, along a stretch with rapids of II and III degree, while from June to September the numerous streams offer various alternatives for Canyoning and River Trekking activities.
If you want to learn more, we have suggested the 6 things to do in Val Brembana in summer in this dedicated article.
4. Mountain holiday in the Seriana Valley
The Seriana Valley is the other main valley of Bergamo. The most famous tourist resorts are Clusone, Valbondione and Castione della Presolana. The first is also the most important municipality in the valley, while the other two are respectively at the foot of Pizzo Coca and Presolana, among the most representative peaks of Bergamo. The Valbondione area also contains the highest peaks of the Orobie, including the only three-thousanders of this chain.
The hiking options range from the cycle path that runs along the valley floor to the numerous refuges, passing through the itineraries that climb the numerous peaks. We have collected the most interesting ones in this article dedicated to the 10 best hikes in the Seriana Valley.
The Seriana Valley lends itself to being explored with an E-bike, for example by pedaling along the itinerary of the Clusone plateau or along the easy circular tour that starts and returns from the Presolana pass. The latter also represents the main challenge for road bike lovers.
River activities on the Serio river are unfortunately not possible, due to the numerous hydraulic works, such as dams, dams, pipelines and power plants, which draw high volumes of water leaving the river with low flows. However, in the town of Fiumenero, near Valbondione, it is possible to walk through a fun gorge with an exciting canyoning outing.
If you want to learn more about the options that this valley offers, we have written in this dedicated article the 5 things to do in Val Seriana in summer.
5. Holiday on Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore or Verbano, marks the border between Lombardy and Piedmont, while its northern part is Swiss territory. On the Lombard shore, the main tourist resorts are Luino, Laveno Mombello and Arona.
On the waters of the lake it is possible to practice numerous water sports, such as sailing or kayaking. Particularly suggestive is the itinerary that allows you to paddle and admire the splendid Borromean islands (Piedmontese), which are among the things to see absolutely on holiday on Lake Maggiore. Alternatively, always on board a kayak, you can reach the magnificent hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso.
The Lombard shore, unlike the Piedmontese one where the Val Grande Park is located, does not boast particular mountainous areas. Of pleasant interest is to walk along the pedestrian path that leads to the impressive Rocca di Angera. Alternatively, take the cable car from Laveno-Mombello and reach the top of Monte Sasso del Ferro, for an impressive view of the entire lake.
6. Holiday on Lake Como
Lake Como is certainly one of the most famous and popular destinations in Lombardy. Alongside the characteristic villages such as Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Cernobbio, with the equally renowned historic villas such as Balbianello, Carlotta, Monastero or Erba, there are many interesting alternatives.
First of all, the possibility of water sports such as kitesurfing or windsurfing, especially in the northern part of the windiest lake. Or even fascinating kayak trips to admire villas and villages from a privileged and less crowded point.
But the peculiarity of the territory, particularly mountainous, also offers numerous hiking itineraries. From the simplest greenway on the Como shore, which leads to admire some of the most famous villas, to the famous loop tour from Brunate to Torno. But also the hermitage of San Benedetto in Lenno, the erratic boulders or earth mushrooms of Rezzato, the Val d’Intelvi or the Tracciolino path. The latter, if trained and technically prepared, can also be traveled by mountain bike. On the Lecco shore, Val Sassina offers an infinite number of options such as Resegone and Grigne, as well as Moregallo or the simpler Monte Barro. Worth mentioning, for multiday trekking enthusiasts, the Wayfarer’s Path, an itinerary that runs along the Lecco shore from South to North in about 3 or 4 days.
Finally, not far from Lake Como it is possible to practice canyoning, moving to Valchiavenna, on the Bodengo stream.
7. Holiday on Lake Iseo
Less known and frequented than the other major lakes in Lombardy, Lake Iseo has a quieter and more relaxed charm, away from the crowds and crowds. The main tourist resorts are Sarnico, Iseo and Lovere. Inside there is also Monteisola, the largest lake island in Italy and a destination of great charm.
Obviously, kayaking is a great way to explore the waters of Lake Iseo, but you can also practice windsurfing and kitesurfing, as well as sailing with a sailboat.
The mountainous character of the area lends itself to numerous excursions. From the Pyramids of Zone to the climb to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola on Monteisola, from the peat bogs of Sebino to the itinerary that leads to explore the ravine of Bogn di Riva di Solto, the options are truly endless.
The stretch of the Oglio cycle path that runs along the Brescia shore of the lake is an ideal itinerary to do by mountain bike, to enjoy fantastic views of Monteisola and Sebino.
Not far from the lake, in Adrara San Rocco, in May and June it is also possible to practice canyoning.
Finally, just south of the lake, the Franciacorta area begins, with its renowned vineyards. And a great way to explore it is on a mountain bike.
If you want to learn more, we have written an article dedicated to the 8 places not to be missed on Lake Iseo.
8. Holiday on Lake Garda
Another well-known and popular tourist destination, Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and marks the border between Lombardy and Veneto. The northern part belongs to the autonomous province of Trento. The main tourist resorts on the Lombard shore are Sirmione, Desenzano, Salò, Limone.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing are very popular and practiced especially in the northern part of the lake, which is the windiest. Numerous very interesting itineraries can be made by kayak. We mention in particular the one that leads from Manerba to visit the Islands of Garda and Rabbits (or San Biagio) and the circumnavigation around the peninsula of Sirmione.
There are numerous alternatives for hiking enthusiasts. From itineraries on the border with the province of Trento, such as Punta Larici or the Ponale Path, passing through the tour of the 3 Sanctuaries of Salò to the Sentiero del Sole in Limone or the Rocca di Manerba, there is no shortage of options. The Ponale Path and the Sole di Limone cycle path, with the famous cantilevered track over the lake, can also be practiced by Moutain bike. Also worth mentioning is the Mincio cycle path that connects Lake Garda to Mantua, passing through the Sigurtà Garden Park and the village of Valeggio sul Mincio.
Moving a little further, in Val di Ledro, it will also be possible to go canyoning on the Palvico, Vione, Rio Nero or San Michele streams.
BergamoXP
BergamoXP is the first aquatic sports center in the province of Bergamo. We are a team of nature enthusiasts, outdoor and adventure lovers, connoisseurs of our territory and professionals specializing in the disciplines of Kayak, Canyoning, Rafting, Hydrospeed, River Trekking.
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