Gratis gids 10 verborgen natuurplekken in Europa
Gratis gids 10 verborgen natuurplekken in Europa. Meld je aan voor onze nieuwsbrief en ontvang inspirerende reistips en routes voor je volgende groene reis.
Lake Como
We all know Lake Como. The villas, the ferries, George Clooney. But if you look beyond the familiar shoreline, you’ll discover a completely different landscape: mountain peaks rising directly above the water, ravines where rivers have carved their way through the rock face, and hiking trails that were built by the Romans.
The Antica Strada Regina along the western shore has been running from Como toward the Alpine passes for two millennia. The Sentiero del Viandante on the eastern side winds 68 kilometers along historic mule trails. And on neighboring Lake Lugano, there are routes that take you from the waterfront to the mountains in three stages. This is Lake Como for those who venture beyond the dock.
Come in April, May, or October. That’s when the vegetation is in bloom or the mountain slopes are ablaze with color, and you’ll have the lake mostly to yourself. Nature Travel Lab selects small-scale accommodations on Lake Como that can be booked direct with the owner.
All about nature in Italy
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The most beautiful regions for nature lovers
South Tyrol
Tuscany
Abruzzo
Piedmont
Valle d'Aosta
Sardinia
Sicily
Umbria
Molise
Le Marche
Veneto
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Liguria
Trentino
Puglia
Lake Como
Lake Garda
Lazio
Emilia-Romagna
Campania
Basilicata
Small-scale nature stays Italy
Choose your favorite region and discover our tips for the best small-scale Nature stays with a sustainable focus. You book directly with the owner, so you are guaranteed the lowest price.
Special accommodation in Italian nature
Find unique small-scale Nature stays in Italy. From glamping to luxury boutique hotel and from B&B to vacation home or agriturismo. They are all special and different, but they all have an eye for sustainability.
Our sustainability criteria for overnight stays
Using these sustainability icons, you can easily see in what area an overnight stay is active with its sustainability policy.
Zero footprint
Architecture
sustainable/local construction
Food
organic/local cuisine
Social
family/local runned/social projects
Wellbeing
Sauna/yoga/wellness/treatments
Surroundings
Environment/recycling
Choose your region
Sicily
Tuscany
Valle d’Aosta
Piedmont
Basilicata
Puglia
Campania
Veneto
Lombardy
Lombardy
Lake Garda
South Tyrol
Sardinia
Emilia-Romagna
Umbria
Le Marche
Trentino
Abruzzo
Liguria
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Lazio
Nature on Lake Como
Lake Como is one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe. And at the same time, one of the most visited. If you look past the villas and the ferries, you’ll discover a completely different landscape: stunning nature, quiet spots, shaded forest trails, and dark-sky nights in the mountain valleys. The lake is nestled between the Lombardian Prealps, with mountain peaks rising directly above the water and valleys that you can only reach if you leave your car behind.
In the northern part of the lake, between Lario and Lago di Mezzola, lies the bird paradise of Pian di Spagna—Lombardy’s largest and most important nature reserve. Closer to the shores, you’ll find dramatic gorges like the Orrido di Bellano and the Orrido di Nesso—deep ravines carved out by rivers that have bored their way through the mountainside. And in the Val Sanagra Nature Park, above Menaggio, you can hike through an area rich in flora, fauna, and historical traces that is rarely visited by foreign travelers.
Lake Como is best enjoyed during the shoulder months. In April and May, the vegetation is in bloom; in October, the mountain slopes take on vibrant colors. At that time, the lake is quieter, the air is clearer, and nature is more visible than in the summer.
Hiking along Lake Como
Lake Como and Lake Lugano have been popular vacation destinations since Roman times; and you can tell that from the hiking trails. The Antica Strada Regina along the western shore was built by the Romans to connect Como with the Alpine passes and is still used as a hiking trail today. On the eastern side runs the Sentiero del Viandante: a route of about 68 kilometers along historic mule trails, from Abbadia Lariana in the south to Morbegno on the northern shore.
The Lake Como and Lake Lugano Hiking Tour is an eight-day route along beautiful mountain trails on both sides of the border between Italy and Switzerland. You’ll hike an average of three to seven hours a day, with a choice of routes ranging from easy to challenging, discovering wooded valleys, mountain peaks, and traditional villages that feel far removed from the hustle and bustle along the water. The trails are well-marked; hiking poles are recommended due to the elevation changes.
Spring and early fall are the ideal seasons, with pleasant temperatures and the mountain scenery at its most beautiful.
Staying Overnight on Lake Como
A night’s stay on Lake Como doesn’t have to mean a crowded hotel on the waterfront with a view of the ferries. B&B Villa Le Ortensie is located in the authentic mountain village of Molina, on the southeastern shore of the lake, and can only be reached on foot, which makes its location all the more charming.
The historic villa has six rooms, four of which have private balconies, all with views of Lake Como. The surrounding garden—full of hydrangeas—is the perfect spot for breakfast and for relaxing after a long walk. Hostess Silvia and her team know the area like no one else: from the best hiking trails to Monte Boletto to the hidden little beach by the water. Hospitality is paramount here, in the most Italian sense of the word.
The villa can also be rented in its entirety for groups of up to 14 people, making it ideal for a hiking vacation with friends. Book direct with the owner at NatureTravelLab.com.
“Nature is our greatest ally and inspiration.”
– Sir David Attenborough
Special spots in nature
We select the nicest accommodations with all a focus on sustainability policies. Think luxury Treehouses in the middle of nature or a boutique hotel in the countryside. Sustainability categories range from organic cuisine and mindfull focus to waste separation and zero-waist policy.
Luxury overnight stay in nature
The accommodations all have something unique and of course a location in or near nature. Spending the night in nature does not always mean sleeping in a tent. Find special and luxurious nature stays for your active vacation or just for your slow travel experience.
Comfortable overnight stay in nature
The overnight focus on sustainability policy gives attention to comfort and quality.
They often use their own vegetable garden or local cuisine. Much attention is paid to the quality of the accommodation, the environment and the guest.