The Val Cavargna and Val Rezzo are two beautiful valleys surrounded by mountains more than 2000 m high. You can enjoy magnificent views and beautiful mountain scenery following this route. The road is quite narrow, good driving skill is compulsory.
Route: Menaggio - Carlazzo - Cavargna - Buggiolo - Corrido - Porlezza - Menaggio 53 km
Follow the road from Menaggio in the direction of Lugano. At Piano di Porlezza (8 km from Menaggio) turn right in the direction of Carlazzo. The road offers a wonderful view on the Val Menaggio with its little lake Lago di Piano, a natural oasis. At Carlazzo turn right to Val Cavargna. The windy road climbs up to Cusino (800 m) where the antique oratory of S. Ambrogio stands. The road then leads through San Bartolomeo and San Nazzaro that is clustered to the south slope of Pizzo di Gino (2245 m). You cross the stream Cuccio and then arrive at Cavargna (1071 m). The fertile slopes helped developing the rural economy. The people of the valley led a hard life though and smuggling and migration were a reality in the local area. The last 40 years many farmers left the agricultural activity and went to work in the close by Switzerland. At Cavargna there is "Il Museo della Valle" - museum with an ethnographic type of collection - showing how life used to be in the valley open on Sunday from 14.00-17.00; other days on request tel. 0344 63162. Turn back to the intersection at the beginning of the village, and turn right to Buggiolo. You pass the mountain pass called "Passo della Cava" (typical restaurant at the pass) and you enter "Val Rezzo". From Buggiolo you can reach in one hour by foot, the famous church San Lucio (1.541 m) right on the Swiss-Italian border. Ask for the route description.
Past the village Buggiolo the road leads down to Corrido and from there to Porlezza, where you turn left at the traffic lights to Menaggio.
By bus: Menaggio - Cavargna line C14.