Monday, March 19, 2012

One Mile Above Lake Como

Located on the west side of Lake Como, across from world-famous Bellagio, Monte Crocione arguably offers the most amazing view over the Lake Como area in return for a modest hiking effort.


In principle, one could drive all the way to the trailhead at Rifugio Venini, a mountain hut and restaurant with World War 1 cannons out the front porch.


The access road is very narrow and requires caution. The last segment from the hamlet of Boffalora is best avoided altogether by non-Italian drivers.


In fact, we parked in Boffalora and enjoyed an extra 2.5 mile walk (one way) to the trailhead.



From Rifugio Venini, the trail begins as a gravelly road and leads to the Cadorna Line fortifications built during World War 1 for fear that the Germans would invade northern Italy through neutral Switzerland.


Then, the trail becomes single-track and circles around Monte Tremezzo, offering incredible vistas of Lake Como that get better and better...


until you arrive at the tippy top, where you get to meet the friendly goats that call Monte Crocione home.


A seriously cute wirehair standard dachshund puppy by the name of Dexter joined me at the top with his family.


Being a puppy, Dexter was fascinated by the goats, and was getting a bit too close for his own good.


Suddenly, I had an idea...


and decided to teach him the facts of life.


After Biology class, Dexter calmed down and we could enjoy the view in silence...


and, of course, look for tidbits of food that our parents might have dropped one mile above Lake Como.


If you visit the Lake Como area and you only have time for one hike, pick this one. Just avoid Sundays, because the place turns into a zoo. We went on a Saturday at the end of November, and it was wotten waven!

21 comments:

  1. Wow that was a totally amazing walk Tootsie. I could have had so much fun chasing those goats as for sure Gail would have been distracted by the views of Lake Como...
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.

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  2. Just gorgeous, thanks for the tour.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

    It's very flat where we live.

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  3. Looks like you had a lot of fun!

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  4. Hey it's Jet here. You are quite the tour guide and mountain K9, most impressive. Mom asked to share that the difference between the dry and wet sides of mountains fascinates her. Glad you had K9 and goat company.

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  5. Wow, that looks like so much fun! I want to go on some hikes with you. I never get to do any that cool.

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  6. Thanks for taking us along on this hike. What a great view from the top! I love all the labels on the pictures so I always know where you are in them ;-)

    Cindy

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  7. That looks great! How beautiful. Are those goats really nice? I've seen goats on farms but not out in the wild. I think I would want to chase them, maybe.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  8. Tootsie, great that young Dexter had your wise guidance on the Facts of Life. LOL. Better you than getting up close and personal with goats, no matter how friendly!!! We've made mental note that this is The Hike around Lake Como, and enjoyed yet another of your wonderful travelogues. You are a lucky dachshund indeed. Best regards from your cousin Bruno in Chicago, who with his cousins and parents is enjoying frighteningly/beautifully warm weather (70sF+) for his spring sniffing of the flowers. Wag on! Christa

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  9. Oh Tootsie! You sure did show Dexter a thing or two! BOL! Great view!

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  10. What a great walk! Dexter is super cute, and I BOL at you teaching him biology
    Dachshund Nola

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  11. What a beautiful hike, Tootsie! We think we saw George Clooney!!

    -Bart and Ruby

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  12. I've sure learned a lot about your part of the world from your great photos and stories. Watch out for biology lessons. BOL

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  13. Having a good laugh at the biology lesson :)) Glad you pointed out which was the bicontinental dachshund and which was the mountain :D lolol

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  14. A poochie after our hearts as we love hiking and what a scenic spot you shared. I would love to go there! On the wish list for someday.

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  15. Haha - you sure educated Dexter - my brother Eric always wants to teach me when I see him too - doh!!

    I think I'd have preferred to play with the Goats…. :)

    Wags,

    Your pal Snoopy :)

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  16. Jeepers- did you get to run with the goats on the mountain? What a wonderful view! That's a big hike for little legs!
    love
    tweedles

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  17. That is one beautiful place. I feel like I was there too.

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  18. We loved this post! Great photographs and some level of fitness displayed by you to do all that walking! The goats looked HUGE!!!

    Woof.

    Groucho

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  19. That sure was a beautiful and scenic walk - Wow!
    Stewey

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  20. We love sharing these adventures with you. Thanks for taking us along. :)

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  21. What a little adventurer! And the rendezvous with Dexter is quite scandelous.

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