B&B Villa Le Ortensie: Hiking and Staying Overnight in Molina on Lake Como

Lake Como is known for its famous destinations: Bellagio, Varenna, and the villas with private docks. But above the bustling waters, nestled in the medieval village of Molina, lies a place that most tourists never find.

B&B Villa Le Ortensie is a historic villa on the southeastern shore of the lake, offering panoramic lake views, a beautiful garden full of hydrangeas, and direct access to hiking trails that take you deep into the Lombardian mountain landscape.

Hostess Silvia and her team will take care of the rest. Through Nature Travel Lab, you can book directly with the owner.

Molina di Faggeto Lario: Lake Como as it used to be

Molina isn’t a tourist town. It’s a medieval mountain village where the cobblestone streets are too narrow for cars, where locals will point you in the right direction, and where a weekly market featuring local cheese, honey, and fruit still exists. The villa is within walking distance of three (good) restaurants, a bar, and a small supermarket, but the hustle and bustle of Como or Bellagio feels far away.

It is precisely this secluded location that makes Lake Como the perfect destination for hikers and those seeking peace and quiet.

“You feel as if you’ve been transported back to the 1950s—without any tourist hustle and bustle or commercial clamour.”

The villa: Italian charm, modern comfort

Villa Le Ortensie is beautifully and peacefully situated and offers a stunning view of Lake Como. The villa is an authentic Lombard mansion, beautifully situated above the lake. The interior is classic and in keeping with the building’s character: warm colors and original details. The bathrooms were completely renovated in 2020 with new tiles, shower stalls, and fixtures. All rooms have free Wi-Fi.

The surrounding garden (with hydrangeas) offers plenty of opportunities to relax and is a fantastic place to enjoy breakfast and unwind after a long walk in the area.

All six rooms offer a view of the lake: ranging from a side view through the garden to a direct panoramic view from a private balcony. The rooms are divided into five categories:

Superior Deluxe: upper floor with private balcony and direct lake view; bookable exclusively through the villa itself
Elegance: ground floor with a direct view of the lake
Classic: lake views from both the bedroom and the bathroom
Double/Twin: side lake view, also visible from the bathroom
Family Suite: spacious, with a private balcony, suitable for families or four people

The entire villa is also available for rent as a whole for groups of up to 14 people.

Silvia and the team: local expertise as a service

Hostess Silvia leads the small team with a warm Italian welcome. Together, they speak Italian, English, Spanish, and German. They’ll help you with hiking tips, restaurant recommendations, arranging a ferry trip, or finding the most beautiful beach in the area. The team also helps with luggage: a special narrow car can navigate Molina’s narrow streets to bring suitcases to the villa.

Breakfast with a View

Breakfast is included and is served on the terrace or in the garden, with a view of the lake. The buffet offers a mix of sweet and savory items: fresh fruit, local products, pastries, cheese, and cold cuts. A good reason not to leave too early.

Hiking from Villa Le Ortensie

The area around Molina is one of the least well-known and most beautiful hiking regions around Lake Como. From the villa, you can walk right into the countryside. No car needed. An overview of trails for every skill level:

Easy to moderate

Lemna and Palanzo: picturesque mountain villages within walking distance of Molina
Riva di Faggeto Beach: the nearest lake beach—a 30-minute walk down the old stone staircase, or a few minutes by car
Torno: a picturesque fishing village with a harbor, accessible on foot via the coastal route

For experienced hikers

Monte Boletto: a panoramic mountaintop with a view of the entire lake
Brunate: the picturesque village with a panoramic view above Lake Como, accessible via a spectacular mountain road
Como: via a day trip along the ridge

The area is also ideal for cyclists: from e-bikes and mountain bikes to road bikes. With a little planning, it’s entirely possible to explore the region without a car. Bike rentals are available upon request.

Accessibility: Even Without a Car

One of Molina’s underrated advantages: you can explore the lake without a car. The nearest ferry terminals are Torno and Riva di Faggeto (6 km), from which you can reach Bellagio, Varenna, Como, and Menaggio. Bus line C31 runs directly from Como to Molina Plaza. Together, the bus and ferry offer a flexible way to explore the region.

Coming by car? Park in the secure parking lot in the village (approx. €7 per night) and walk 5 to 10 minutes through the historic village to the villa. The staff will help with your luggage.

Sustainability

Villa Le Ortensie is actively working to reduce plastic use: refillable dispensers for shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner are standard. In addition: solar-powered hot water, water-saving showers and toilets, local products (honey, olive oil, wine, bread), filtered water instead of bottled water, separate waste collection, and locally hired staff.

Note: You can only reach the villa on foot, but that just makes the location even more beautiful. If you wish, you can park your car in the village in designated spots. It’s about a 5- to 10-minute walk to the villa through the picturesque village of Molina. The team at Villa Le Ortensie will be happy to help you with your luggage. The village center is about 650 meters from the B&B. Every week, the village hosts a mobile market featuring fruit, cheese, and local products.

Practical Information: Villa Le Ortensie

Address	Via Mario Prada 8, Molina di Faggeto Lario, 22020 Como, Italy
Rooms	6 rooms in 5 categories: Superior Deluxe, Elegance, Classic, Double/Twin, and Family Suite
Breakfast	Included. Extensive sweet and savory buffet, served daily on the terrace or in the garden
Parking	Secure parking lot in the village, about a 5-10 minute walk from the villa · €7 per night
Accessibility	By car (12 km from Como) · Bus C31 Como–Molina · Ferry via Torno or Riva (6 km)
On request	Bicycle rentals · cooking classes in the area · walking and hiking tours · crib
Also possible	Entire villa for rent for groups of up to 14 people
Books	Book directly with the owner through Nature Travel Lab

Frequently Asked Questions About Villa Le Ortensie

Is Villa Le Ortensie a good base for hikers?

Yes, excellent. From the villa, you can walk straight into the mountains toward Lemna, Palanzo, Monte Boletto, and Brunate. Riva’s beach is a 30-minute walk away. The villa provides hiking tips from the team, and bike rentals are available upon request.

Do I need a car to explore Lake Como?

Not necessarily. Bus line C31 runs directly from Como to Molina. The nearest ferry terminals (Torno and Riva di Faggeto) are 6 km away and connect you to Bellagio, Varenna, and Como. With a little planning, it’s easy to explore the region without a car.

Are all the rooms the same?

No. The villa has 6 rooms in 5 categories: Superior Deluxe (upper floor, private balcony, direct lake view, and bookable only through the villa), Elegance (direct lake view), Classic and Double/Twin (side lake view), and a Family Suite with a private balcony. All rooms have modern en suite bathrooms.

Can you rent the entire villa?

Yes. Villa Le Ortensie can be rented as a whole for groups of up to 14 people. Please contact Nature Travel Lab or the owner directly.

How far is Villa Le Ortensie from Como and Bellagio?

Molina is located 12 km from Como (about a 20-minute drive) and 20 km from Bellagio. You can reach Bellagio by ferry via Torno or Riva in about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the schedule.

When is the best time to visit?

The early and late seasons (April–June and September–October) are ideal for hikers: quiet, pleasant temperatures, and no crowds of tourists. In the summer, the lake and the terrace are at their best. Be sure to book well in advance.

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