Third Stage of the Wayfarer's Trail

Stage 3: Varenna to Dervio

From the Vezio Belvedere through Perledo

The third stage of the Sentiero del Viandante starts from the village of Vezio in Varenna and culminates in Dervio near the Tower of Orezia. From the Belvedere di Vezio, we follow the path that descends steeply to the Crott del Pepott, crossing the bridge over the Esino stream and heading up toward the houses of Regolo. At the church of San Giovanni (St. John), we turn right onto Via per Perledo, a beautiful panoramic stretch on the hill, where the Castle of Vezio frames our view as the path leads us to the ancient houses of Perledo and the church of San Martino (St. Martin). We leave Perledo behind on the road leading to Esino, where a detour to the left guides us along the cemetery, and after a brief descent, we continue for a long uphill section on Via alla Cava Alta.

Passing the Gittana Church and the Bellano Gorge

Once we arrive at the chapel of Maglia, we step off the paved road onto the path that goes down to the church of Gittana, the ancient parish extending over a splendid panoramic position with views of Dervio and the upper parts of the lake. We cross the Masna valley by passing under the hamlets of Cestaglia and Regoledo, and after a long stretch, we reach the historical farm known as La Fabbrica, a centuries-old three-story building that once served as a tavern and refuge for wayfarers. Once past the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, we enter Bellano, and after a short stretch on an asphalt road, we turn left to cross the bridge over the Orrido gorge. After reaching the church of San Rocco (St. Roch), we head up to the right toward Ombriaco.

From the Lezzeno Sanctuary to the Orezia Tower

After reaching the Ombriaco washhouse, we turn left and continue toward the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime in Lezzeno, a beautiful Baroque church that is definitely worth a visit. Heading out from the built-up area of Lezzeno, we continue on a slight descent while the panorama widens over the entirety of the upper lake. At the crossroads for Oro, we take a turn to the right and go up toward Pendaglio and Verginate. We descend from Verginate on a paved road, and upon reaching the crossroads, we follow the orange sign to the right along Via dei Ronchi, walking across the bridge over the Grande stream. We enter Dervio via Duca d'Aosta and proceed to the church of Santi Quirico and Giulitta (Sts. Quiricus and Julietta), but after crossing the bridge over the Varrone stream, we turn right toward the Tower of Orezia, the final destination of this third stage.