The Val d'Intelvi is a beautiful valley that connects Lake Como with Lake Lugano. There are many picturesque villages and some have become small tourist resorts like S.Fedele and Lanzo. A visit to the top of Monte Sighignola (1300 m.) - also called "the balcony of Italy" - is highly recommended.
Route: Menaggio - Argegno - S.Fedele - Scaria - Lanzo - Claino con Osteno - Porlezza - Menaggio 59 km.
Follow the road from Menaggio in the direction of Como. At Argegno (15 km from Menaggio) you turn right in the direction of Val d'Intelvi. The road quickly ascends to enter the vast sunny plains, marked by chestnut woods, characteristic of this whole area.. After passing Muronico and Dizzasco, you reach Castiglione (608 m), once a fortified village. You pass the oratorio of the Madonna del Restello (restel means gate), the village’s defensive post during a plague. It was constructed in 1717. Inside the precious baroque stuccos of the altar and the scagliola frontal show the craftsmanship of local artists. The Maestri Intelvesi, a group of architects and artists worked in the courts of Europe but during the winter returned to their valley embellishing it with their works of art. After a few kilometres you arrive at S. Fedele (779 m). Worth seeing is the parish church S. Antonio, with its Romanesque façade and precious portal, master piece of the Maestri Intevesi. From S.Fedele we recommend the breathtaking car route passing through Pigra to “Rifugio Boffalora” (1200 m) tel. 0344 56486 past “Alpe di Lenno” (1495 m) to Rifugio Galbiga (1.576 m.) tel. 0344 56671 which offers magnificent views of both lake Lugano and Lake Como. Continuing from S. Fedele you reach Pellio, where you take left to Lanzo Intelvi. You pass through the village Scaria with its “Museo della Valle” with a collection of local art and fossils of the valley open in July and August 15.00-19.00; other months on request. Worth a visit is the Parish church of Santa Maria which has a beautiful late baroque façade with stuccos and statues. Once at Lanzo you find the road signs for the top of the “Sighignola”. On the way back from Lanzo, after having passed Pellio d'Intelvi you turn left at the crossroad and pick up the road leading to Claino con Osteno. From Osteno you follow the road along the Lake of Lugano in the direction of Porlezza. Opposite the camp-site “Grotte di Rescia” there are the caverns of Rescia. They can be visited From Easter till the end of September from 14.00-18.00. At Porlezza where you turn right at the traffic lights in the direction of Menaggio.
By bus: Menaggio - Argegno line C10 (direction Como)
Argegno - Lanzo line C20 (bus stop at Belvedere)