Are you planning to spend a holiday on Lake Como? Here are some tips on what to do and see in Colico to make your stay between lake and mountain unforgettable. Below we propose a series of activities for young and old, including history, sport and nature.

Let‘s go!

• Forte Montecchio Nord
• Forte di Fuentes
• Fontanedo Tower
• Piona Abbey
• Sentiero Valtellina e ciclabile Valchiavenna – Cycling paths
• Natural Reserve Pian di Spagna
• The Mills of Villatico
• Museum of Country Culture
• Horseback Riding
• Excursions from Colico
• Water Activities

Forte Montecchio Nord

Montecchio Nord Fort is the only Italian military fort from the Great War that has preserved its original armament intact and one of the best preserved in Europe. It was built to protect against a possible attack across the Swiss Confederation from Germany or Austria-Hungary. The fort remained inactive and was not used in military actions during the entire First and Second World Wars, the only cannon shots were in fact fired on 27 April 1945 against the column of the Italian-German armed forces that was moving up the opposite shore of the lake towards Switzerland after leaving Mussolini in the hands of the partisans at Dongo.

To find out more about Forte Montecchio Nord and opening hours click here.

Forte di Fuentes

Built above the East Montecchio, which dominates the Pian di Spagna nature reserve (so called after Spanish domination), the Fuentes Fort is one of the few surviving examples of Spanish domination in the area.

The fort was built in 1603 to prevent any ambitions of expansion by the Grisons, who intended to extend their dominion from Valtellina and Valchiavenna to Upper Lake Como.
The structure has a trapezoidal, “Italian-style” shape, built by exploiting the orography of Montecchio Est, its schist, its rocks and, above all, its marsh, which constituted a “natural moat”. Theoretically impregnable, a very important strategic area, therefore, Montecchio Est was heavily armed by the fortress that contained within its walls about twenty of the most powerful cannons of the 17th century, which were also the protagonists of the Valtellina people’s revolt against the Swiss occupiers in 1620, the date of the sadly famous ‘sacred slaughter’ (which led to the death of hundreds of Protestants in two valleys that had always remained Catholic).

To find out more about Forte Fuentes and opening hours click here.

Fontanedo Tower

The village of Fontanedo, with the homonymous tower, rises on a hill, surrounded by chestnut trees at an altitude of 500 meters. La Torre can be reached on foot thanks to a mule track from Robustello, following the AF signs of CAI Colico. A simple walk suitable for the whole family will lead you to the discovery of the ancient history of this village. Admire the view and enter to discover how it was restored in 2019.

To learn more about the Fontanedo Tower and its opening hours click here.

Piona Abbey

It is an ancient monastery of Cluniacense characterized by the beautiful Roman-Gothic cloister of the thirteenth century located on the shore of Lake Como, on the tip of the small peninsula of Olgiasca. It is an uncontaminated environment that recalls distant times and is still today a rare jewel of Lombard Romanesque architecture. The visit offers enchanting views of the bay of Piona, the southern Montecchio and Monte Legnone.

For more information about the Abbey of Piona visit the website.

Sentiero Valtellina e ciclabile Valchiavenna – Cycling Paths

From Colico it is possible to follow the two main trails that cross the Valtellina and Valchiavenna. The first is the Sentiero Valtellina, a path of more than 110 km that connects Colico to Bormio, along the Adda River. Along the cycle path there are several stages connected to the railway network that allow you to travel stretches by train. In addition, along the route you can find several stops equipped for refreshments and leisure.

The Ciclabile Valchiavenna path is a 40 km long itinerary that crosses the Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve, along the small lake of Novate Mezzola and the Mera River, where you can easily meet and admire the various animal species that inhabit the area. This trail is also full of rest areas equipped with everything you need to make our trail an unforgettable experience.

To find out where to rent a bike in Colico visit the website.

Natural Reserve Pian Di Spagna

Pian di Spagna is located at the confluence of the Valtellina and Valchiavenna rivers, between Lake Mezzola and the norther part of Lake Como. Situated in a strategic position, just a few kilometres from Colico, the plain is of particular importance from a landscape and naturalistic point of view. Due to its strategic location, this plain was home to several Spanish fortifications and it is precisely to this period that the reserve owes its name. It is characterised by the presence of both animal and plant habitats and species, and its task is to ensure the long-term survival of Europe‘s biodiversity. Within the Nature Reserve there are several itineraries, all flat and accessible on foot or by bike.

The Mills of Villatico

The village of Villatico is the custodian of the local history of Colico. Here you can visit some of the historic mills dating back to 1300. Today, after a careful restoration work, 6 windmills are easily reachable on foot following a simple itinerary suitable for everyone, which gives the opportunity to experience a dip in the past.

To discover the itinerary “Ring of the Mills” click here.

Museum of Country Culture

In the hamlet of Villatico, in addition to the mills, you can find the Museum of Rural Culture of Colico which aims to preserve and offer to the public the testimonies of peasant life of the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. In the museum you can discover the domestic settings of the period and the tools used by the peasant civilization. In addition to the material assets, you will find research aimed at recovering the intangible assets of the local population in the five classic aspects of this type of museum: agro-forestry-pastoral activities, domestic economy and rituals, handicrafts, hunting, fishing and commercial and public service activities.

Horseback Riding

If you love animals and enjoy the outdoors, there’s nothing better than a horse-riding walk by the lake. In Colico you can find four riding stables immersed in the countryside of Alto Lario that will give you the opportunity to live an unforgettable experience.

To find out where the riding stables of Colico are located visit the site.

Excursions from Colico

For mountain lovers, Colico is the ideal place. From here you can easily reach several CAI trails and trails, many of which enjoy exceptional views. Below we propose two hikes of medium difficulty to enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Como.

The first is the path from Robustello to Rifugio Scoggione (1575 m). To reach the refuge it is possible to start by car from Colico to Robustello, from here it is enough to follow the path CAI Colico n 1B until you reach the alpe Prato (m 958). On the left the trail continues well signposted to “Piana di Formica” (1218 m) where you can cool off at a water spring, and then continue to Alpe Scoggione (1575 m) where you will find the refuge. The route of about 6 km includes a difference in altitude of 900 m for 2h30 walk (one way). The Scoggione Refuge is open on weekends from mid-June to mid-September and has 24 beds, hot water, heating, shower, bathroom, kitchen and telephone.

The second itinerary we propose is the Sentiero del Viandante (stage Colico – Dervio). Starting from Posallo, about 10 minutes by car from Colico, you just need to follow the signs CAI Sentiero del Viandante (SV) which in about 2h30 will take you to the Torre Orezia di Dervio. This route of about 10 km and a difference in altitude of 400 m offers a series of particular views first of the bay of Piona and then of the whole northern branch of Lake Como.

Water Activities

Colico is famous for the various activities you can do on the lake. In fact, windsurfing also includes sailing, canoeing, kitesurfing, flyboarding and SUP (stand up paddle). Equipment is available on all beaches thanks to rental activities. If you love “water activities” this is the experience for you and Colico is waiting for you for a day of sport and fun!

The overview of what to do in Colico for the moment ends here, but know that the things to do never end! To discover all the activities, events and experiences to do in Colico visit the Visit Colico website and for more information come to visit us at the Infopoint in Via Pontile, 7 and at Parco Paride Cariboni (only in summer), we will be happy to recommend the solution that best suits your needs.

If you want to share your holiday with us, don‘t forget to use #visitcolico and tag @VisitColico in your photos.

We are waiting for you soon in Colico!