BELLAGIO/ LEZZENO – The devil’s bridge and the land of bonfires

Back on the ancient road between Como and Bellagio, we set off from a mysterious, ancient and intact bridge spanning a gorge inhabited by the eagle owl, and calmly ascend the Grosgalli cliffs overlooking Villa Lucertola (belonging to the Guinness family), right by the lake. Giant fish (bulberi named by Paolo Giovio) are said to live in the caves below. What an excursion full of magic and mysteries.

The path becomes easy, maintaining a view of the lake, a balcony over Tremezzina and Villa Balbianello, between slender rivulets of water and huts that seem to be hanging from the mountain.

The chimney of the old lime kiln announces the arrival at Lezzeno, 'Lescen de la mala fortuna; d'esta' senza il so, d'invernu senza la luna', so goes the old proverb, but let's not be misled.

The village is splendid: 17 hamlets stretch one after the other along the longest village on the Lario. We pass through them one by one, among ancient churches, famous boatyards, lake fish restaurants that attract those who favour quieter places over nearby Bellagio, stories of witches and 'cribbi' factories, but we cannot tell you everything now.

When we feel like going back, we can easily reach the road where the typical "curiera" sung by Davide Van De Sfroos will take us back to our starting point.

We can arrange lunch at a local lake fish restaurant upon request.