Second Stage "low" of the Wayfarer's Trail

Stage 2 - Low Route: Lierna to Varenna

From Via Genico to the Lierna Castle Detour

The low variant of the second stage of the Sentiero del Viandante starts from Via Genico in Lierna and finishes in Varenna in the hamlet of Vezio. Following the established route from Via Genico, we turn left toward the villages of Ciserino and Giussana, and after a short asphalted stretch, we follow the road signs to the right for the mule track that passes above the Castle of Lierna. The alternative route that allows us to visit the Castle of Lierna picks up from Via Genico, goes down to the train station, and continues on Via Ducale to the village of Castello, before passing from Via Riva Bianca to eventually reach Via Roma (SP72). At the small temple, we turn right for Ronco and go up toward the path leading to Coira.

Panoramic Views from Dosso della Botte

The path enters the woods and overlaps with path n°74, featuring red and white signage, and as we approach a white shrine, we find ourselves near the Black Farmstead. Past the Pianca valley, the terrain starts to become rocky and the incline gets steep, while gorgeous panoramic views over the central part of Lake Como open up behind us. Once around the Dosso della Botte, we finally reach the clearing of Coira, the highest point of this stage at 780 m (2,559 ft), where we meet a crossroads of paths. By continuing straight toward Ortanella, hikers have the possibility of reaching the high variant, or they can turn left to go down toward the ruins of Roslina by crossing through the Vacchera Valley.

Descending through Fiumelatte to Vezio

After crossing the bridge over the Pietfer stream, the trail emerges from the woods, opening onto a beautiful panoramic stretch on a rocky slope that goes slightly downhill, where the Varenna peninsula begins to appear through the trees. Near Fiumelatte, a directional arrow indicates a right turn in order to get around the expressway, a very steep and slightly demanding part of the route due to the presence of rockfall netting. Once back in the woods, we pass under the castle bulwark and continue behind the cemetery to enter Varenna. After a short stretch, we turn right and, past an iron staircase, we follow the path that climbs up to the village of Vezio, where the low variant of the second stage ends.