Two rides, one lake, and a real hike. I love how the funicular from Como to Brunate turns your day into a smooth, scenic climb, and you get panoramic views almost nonstop. It’s a great way to see Lake Como from the hills without spending your whole day on your feet.

The only real catch: the route includes a steep, step-heavy downhill, so this is “easy” for the map, not easy for your legs.

Key things to know before you go

• Funicular up, boat back: you’ll do both with minimal backtracking.
• Small group (up to 10): enough space to actually hear your guide and move at a comfortable pace.
• Ancient Roman trail sections: part of the walk goes through wooded paths with an old-school feel.
• Pietra Pendula stop: a quick, memorable look at the famous boulder perched on limestone.
• Baita lunch in the hills: local, freshly prepared food with wine, coffee, and water included.
• 400 meters of downhill: this matters more than the word “easy.”

Why This Lake Como Trek Feels Like Local Travel

This isn’t a “stand here, take a photo” Lake Como tour. The funicular gets you up toward Brunate, where the lake views start showing up fast. Then you walk through villages and wooded stretches as the water drops out of your immediate view and the mountains take over. Finally, the day ends with a boat ride back on the lake—so you get both angles in one loop.

What makes it feel especially local is the mix of transport. In a lot of Lake Como tours, you drive everywhere and then do a short walk. Here, you’re using a cable train to rise above the crowds and a boat to return without fighting traffic or finding parking. You’ll also pass through smaller communities along the hillside, including stops around Blevio, Sorto, Cazzannoro, Monte Piatto, Piazzaga, and Torno—places that feel more like everyday life than just postcard backdrops.

One more plus: your guide helps connect the dots as you move. Guides for this experience are known for being animated and informative—there are mentions of guides named Mikael and Fiamo who brought the area to life with clear, passionate explanations. That makes the walk more than just scenery. It becomes context: why these towns sit where they do, what you’re seeing from each ridge, and what makes spots like Santa Elisabetta and Pietra Pendula worth your time.

Price and What You Really Get for About $204

The listed price is $203.91 per person for a 6-hour outing. At first glance, it can sound steep if you’re comparing it to a casual day bus + snack. But this price includes a bundle of costs that add up quickly:

• A guided hike (with live English/Italian interpretation)
• Funicular ticket from Downtown Como to Brunate
• Boat ticket back across Lake Como (when the boat runs)
• A proper lunch at a typical baita, including 1 entrée, 1 main course à la carte, water, house wine, and coffee

So you’re not paying just for walking. You’re paying for a guided “route plan” plus reserved transport plus a sit-down meal. If you’ve ever tried to DIY parts of Lake Como—figuring out which boat line goes where, matching hiking timing to ferry schedules, and then finding a lunch spot with reasonable access—you know that convenience has a real cost.

Before You Go: What to Pack and How Hard Is the Walk

The tour is described as suitable for walkers, including untrained walkers—but it’s still a mountain day with serious downhill. The key detail you should take seriously is the vertical downhill gradient of 400 meters. That means you’ll spend time going down step-heavy sections and walking in the woods.

Practical advice:

• Wear hiking shoes with grip (not flimsy sneakers).
• Bring water. You’ll be walking for hours.
• Bring a jacket, because hillside weather can shift and shaded forest paths can feel cool.

This isn’t the best fit if you have back problems, mobility limitations, or you use a wheelchair. The route includes steep descents and time on foot.

Also, if you’re the type who thinks easy = flat, adjust your expectations. One review feedback point called out that the downhill can be challenging because it’s very step-focused. You’ll be okay if you walk confidently, but it’s smart to show up with calf and knee-friendly shoes and a slower pace in mind.

Como to Brunate: The Funicular Ride and First Views

Your day starts right by the funicular station in Downtown Como. It’s also close to Como Lago train station—about a five-minute walk—so it’s convenient if you’re already using the rail.

From there, you climb by funicular. The ride itself is short—about 7 minutes—but it’s a huge mood shift. You leave the lake front bustle and head upward quickly, where Brunate begins to open into view.

Then you get time for initial scenic views on the way, roughly 30 minutes. This is your warm-up for what the rest of the day will be like: lake panoramas framed by mountains, and repeated vantage points as the path rises and falls.

If you’re someone who wants photos, this is your early payoff. If you’re someone who prefers to ease into hiking, this is also ideal because you’re not jumping into a long uphill slog right away.

Walking from Blevio Through Forest Paths and Villages

After Brunate, the walking portion begins with about 2 hours in the area around Blevio. This is where the experience becomes more “active.” You’re moving through forested sections and along paths that pass through characteristic villages.

A standout detail here is the mention of walking on an ancient Roman trail. You might not be thinking about Roman engineering while you’re stepping around roots and stone, but the effect is real: the path feels older, more established, and more purposeful than a random hillside shortcut.

As you continue, your route crosses mountainside zones that include Sorto and Cazzannoro, before heading toward the hamlet of Monte Piatto. Along the way, you’re not just walking through space—you’re walking through layers of settlement patterns, perched communities, and ridgeline viewpoints.

What I like about this part of the itinerary is the pacing of “wow” moments. It’s not one single viewpoint and then hours of wandering. Instead, you reach key places, look out across the lake, then keep moving until the next shift in scenery.

Monte Piatto and the Santa Elisabetta Viewpoint

You’ll reach Monte Piatto, and it’s here that the tour gives you a meaningful viewpoint stop: the church of Santa Elisabetta. You’ll pause to take in the panorama over Lake Como from this hillside position.

This is one of those stops that rewards you even if you’re not a museum-person. A church viewpoint on a lake hillside is never just about architecture—it’s about the angles. From here, you can see how Lake Como bends and how towns cling to the slopes.

It’s also a nice moment to slow down and reset. With a tour that has a steep downhill later, you benefit from standing still when you’re still feeling fresh.

Pietra Pendula: The Boulder That Looks Like a Trick

Next up is Pietra Pendula—a gigantic boulder suspended on the apex of limestone rock. You get about 10 minutes for the visit and a short walk around the area.

This is a great “short stop, high impact” moment. You’re not spending the day chasing a long detour, but you do get to see a feature that feels odd enough to be memorable. The guides use places like this to explain how the area’s limestone and natural formations shape what you see.

If you like quick, dramatic photo ops, this is one of them. If you prefer steady walking, don’t worry—you’re not locked into a long viewing time. It’s a focused break that fits the flow of the hike.

Piazzaga Baita Lunch: Local Food With a View

After the mid-walk sections, you reach Piazzaga for lunch. You’ll have about 1 hour here, with time to eat and reset before the descent toward Torno.

Lunch happens at a typical baita. What’s included is specific and generous:

• 1 entrée
• 1 main course à la carte
• water
• house wine
• coffee

This matters because mountain lunch can be hit-or-miss on DIY trips. Sometimes you find something touristy, sometimes you find nothing. Here, you know you’ll be fed with a real local sit-down meal. And the timing is practical: you eat once you’ve built momentum, and you don’t rush through your food before the toughest walking segment.

I also like that the lunch is part of the day’s “rhythm.” You’re not just grabbing fuel; you’re breaking the hike into a before and after. Mentally, that helps you tackle the downhill with less stress.

Massi Avelli and the Descent to Torno

After lunch, the route continues with a walk through more interesting hillside stops, including Massi Avelli. Then the day shifts toward the finish with a descent into Torno, where you get your final lake views.

Expect about 45 minutes of walking toward Torno. This is where your earlier downhill preparation pays off—because this tour has that step-heavy element baked into the route. Your legs will feel it most here, even if the first part felt manageable.

But Torno is a good reward. You’ll be able to grab one last breathtaking look across the lake before the boat part starts. In many Lake Como itineraries, the lake view is always “in the beginning.” Here, you earn it again at the end.

Boat Back Across Lake Como: Turning the Day Full Circle

Once you reach Torno, you take a boat cruise for about 30 minutes, returning you toward Downtown Como. It’s a smart finish because it clears the fatigue from your feet without cutting the day short.

The boat ride also gives you a different kind of “map reading.” Earlier you climbed and looked out from hillside positions. Now you’re floating on the water, seeing the towns and mountain edges from a new angle—almost like your brain gets a second version of the same picture.

This is where the funicular-to-hike-to-boat loop becomes more than a checklist. It turns into a full-circle experience: ascent, effort, reward, then recovery.

One seasonal note to watch: between March and April 2025, the funicular Como–Brunate is scheduled to be closed until April 13, and the boat ride will be replaced by a bus ride. If you’re traveling during that window, check timing details so you’re not surprised by the swap.

Who This Trek Suits Best (And Who Should Rethink It)

Book this if you want:

• Lake Como views from the hills, not just the waterfront promenade
• a day that uses public-style transport (funicular + boat), which feels more local than car transfers
• a guided hike with stops that actually mean something (Santa Elisabetta, Pietra Pendula, Massi Avelli)
• a real baita lunch instead of a snack break

Consider skipping if:

• you need a very flat route (the 400 meters downhill includes steep, step-heavy segments)
• you have back problems or any mobility constraints that make steep descents risky
• you’re looking for a casual stroll that stays comfortable the whole time

Should You Book This Tour?

I think this is a strong choice if you want an active, scenic Lake Como day with less guesswork. The big value is the pairing: funicular for the climb, guided trail walking for the experience, a proper lunch for comfort, and a boat ride to cap it off.

If your legs handle downhill steps and you’re happy wearing sturdy shoes, you’ll get a lot for your money—views, variety, and a route that would be more complicated to assemble on your own. If steep descents make you nervous, be honest about your limits before booking, because the route isn’t trick-flat.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet your guide in front of the funicular station in Downtown Como. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Como Lago train station.

How long is the experience?

It’s about 6 hours.

How many people are in the group?

This is a small group limited to 10 participants.

What transport do we use?

You take the funicular up from Como to Brunate and then return by boat from Torno to Como.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a typical baita is included and includes 1 entrée, 1 main course à la carte, plus water, house wine, and coffee.

What language is the guide?

The live guide speaks English and Italian.

What is the difficulty level?

It’s suitable for walkers, but it includes steep descents and walking in the woods for some hours, with 400 meters of vertical downhill gradient.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, water, and a jacket.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

No. It’s not suitable for wheelchair users and not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Will the funicular and boat always run?

Not always. Between March and April 2025, the funicular Como–Brunate is closed for maintenance until April 13, and the boat ride is replaced by a bus ride.

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