Enclosed by lush, steep-sided mountains, the blue waters of Lake Como have for centuries attracted visitors, including important statesmen, artists, and glitterati. The lake remains a playground today not only for the rich and famous but also for those escaping greater Milan and the industrial Po river valley, less than an hour away. In the summer, the lake is inundated with tourists, who clamber on to ferries for Bellagio, Menaggio, and other picture-perfect villages. The lakeside towns and connecting roadways become particularly swamped with visitors during a summer weekend. But the more adventurous traveler should be able to escape the masses with ease, at any time of the year. For as soon as one leaves the coast, particularly while on foot, one enters a more pristine, tranquil environment. The ancient villages that dot the mountainsides above the lake are a world away from the bustling shore. Hiking above Lake Como is a great way to experience the region, and this article describes a fine walk above the town of Menaggio. Another exciting way to see the lake is by waterski: few things match the thrill of whizzing by the lake's towns and villas on ski. An excellent waterski center near Cernobbio is also described below.

Please note that there are many, many other great walks above the lake. Two others worth mentioning are the hikes to Monte Piotto (from Torno) and the Pilgrimage Trail (Sentiero del Viandante) from Lierna to Varenna.