Strada Regia Trail: Stage 2

Second Stage from Torno to Nesso

From Torno through the Ancient Village of Molina

From Piazza Caronti, we head up to the old village of Torno, and along Via Pozzo, we find the street sign pointing toward the Strada Regia. After turning left, we follow the road towards Molina up to the bridge over the Stravalle stream. Proceeding with caution, we head down onto the Provincial Road 583, and after a short stretch, we follow the path to the right that climbs up into the woods. Once we reach the old bridge over the Pliniana Valley, we enter the territory of Faggeto Lario, where the path continues halfway up the slope, offering wonderful views. After a slight climb, we reach the Chapel of San Rocco, the patron saint of wayfarers. From the Chapel of San Rocco, we head up toward Molina, walking through the alleys of this centuries-old village, passing beyond the church of Sant'Antonio (St. Anthony) and through Via Fontana Vecchia.

The Roman Tombs of Lemna and the Historic Press of Palanzo

The paved road transitions into a dirt path, with the hamlet of Lemna rising in front of us; however, to reach it, we must loop around the Valle dei Molini and cross a stream. At the Chapel of the Madonna del Rosario, we follow Via alla Cappelletta toward the church of San Giorgio (St. George) in Lemna, near which it is possible to visit the Masso Avallo of Bicogno, an ancient Roman rock-cut tomb. We leave Lemna on Via Bernardo Silo and walk along a stretch of the provincial road that brings us to Palanzo. A detour to the right takes us into the heart of this ancient village, where we can visit the church of Sant'Ambrogio (St. Ambrose) and the famous wooden winepress built in 1572.

Descending past Byzantine Frescoes to the Nesso Gorge

In Palanzo, near the chapel of the Madonna of Loreto, we find the path descending toward Pognana Lario, and after a beautiful panoramic stretch, we arrive at the church of San Rocco (St. Roch), which is absolutely worth a visit. We pass the towns of Canzaga and Castello, walking along Via Quarzano to the church of San Miro (St. Myron) in Rovasco, where we can admire 13th-century frescoes rendered in the Byzantine tradition. In Quarzano, the steep ascent to the Monti di Careno begins, climbing through the woods as wonderful views of Lake Como open up behind us. In about an hour's walk, we arrive at the stone farmhouses once used during seasonal livestock migrations. Finally, we descend along Via dei Monti until we cross the mule track to Nesso, passing the ruins of the castle to arrive at the bridge over the spectacular Orrido di Nesso (Nesso Gorge), wrapping up this second stage.