First Stage of the Wayfarer's Trail

Stage 1: Abbadia Lariana to Lierna

From San Martino to the Hamlet of Novegolo

The first stage of the Sentiero del Viandante starts at the church of San Martino in Abbadia and wraps up in Lierna on Via Genico. From Via Nazionale, we climb the staircase that brings us to the church of San Martino, where a trail sign indicates the official beginning of the path. We then cross the bridge over the railway and pass behind the houses of Borbino. After crossing the bridge over the Zerbo stream and passing through the Mulini area, we arrive in Robbianico, where the church of San Bartolomeo (St. Bartholomew) rises before us. Following this road, we pass under the SS36 main road and turn right toward the small town of Novegolo.

The Frescoes of San Giorgio and Barbarossa’s Tower

Leaving the vehicle-accessible road, a long panoramic stretch begins that leads to the municipality of Mandello del Lario, before beginning a steady climb toward the cliff where the ancient church of San Giorgio (St. George) stands. We highly suggest a stop at this centuries-old building, which marks the border between the municipalities of Abbadia and Mandello; its churchyard offers a splendid panorama of Lake Como, and its interior houses stunning 15th-century frescoes. The path then ascends toward Zana, crosses a bridge over the expressway, and passes the local cemetery before turning left to enter the village of Maggiana, where the famous Torre del Barbarossa (Barbarossa’s Tower) sits.

Through the Woods of Rongio down to Lierna

Leaving Maggiana, we head up into the woods for a long stretch, crossing the pebbly riverbed of a stream to reach the church of San Giacomo (St. James) in the small town of Rongio, just a short distance from the oratory of Sant'Antonio. From Rongio, we hike down toward the Ristorante al Verde, taking the path to the right to cross the Meria stream, where we descend a section equipped with safety chains. The path carries on toward Sonvico, skirts along the cemetery, and continues uphill on the Strada per i Saioli. At the top, we turn left, heading down toward Galdano while keeping the expressway to our right. The path crosses scenic meadows and, after passing the villages of Sornico and Olcianico, enters Lierna, moving from Via Chignola to Via Genico, where this first stage ends.