Great Lakes of Italy Walking Holidays: Maggiore, Como & Garda

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide and a local tourist guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 10-day walking holidays around Italian lakes of Como, Garda, and Maggiore
    • Accommodation for 9 nights in 3 or 4-star hotels and B&Bs for the duration of the tour (double occupancy)
    • E-bike rental for Day 8
    • All meals as listed in the itinerary — 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners
    • Train/ferry/cable-car tickets, as in the itinerary
    • Private transfer from Como to Bergamo and Riva del Garda

  Not included:

  • • Flights to Italy
    • Airport transfers and any transfers not in the itinerary
    • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
    • Personal expenses
    • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  To join these walking holidays around Italian lakes, you should have a moderate level of fitness and be comfortable with full-day hikes. A stable, sure-footed pace is important, and a strong fear of heights may make some sections tricky.

  Each day, expect to hike 4 to 6 hours, and the most you’ll walk within a day is up to 20 km (12.5 miles), with most days significantly shorter. Some stretches are more demanding, but your guide will set the pace, call the breaks, and make sure everyone’s safe and having a good time. Check out day-by-day distances and elevation changes in the itinerary!

  Not every day is a hiking day, either—some are set aside for transfers and sightseeing, so there’s a good balance throughout.

  Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Italy hiking tours here!

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Day pack large enough to carry all the items you may need during the day (around a 25-40L bag)
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes with good ankle support
    • Comfortable hiking clothes, both short-sleeved and long-sleeved, to last you for a week
    • Midlayer or fleece
    • Waterproof lightweight rain jacket
    • Casual clothes for when you’re not hiking
    • Swimsuit
    • Sunhat
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, etc.)
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Bring comfortable clothes appropriate for the season. We suggest checking the forecast and adjusting your list accordingly. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 12:1. You will either be led by a hiking or a tourist guide, depending on the activity.
    • It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate.

  This hiking tour around the Great Italian Lakes of Como, Garda, and Maggiore can be arranged for private and for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Laveno, a town on the shores of Lake Maggiore, most people first fly into Milan Malpensa Airport. From there, reach Milan by trail and then onto Laveno by train or private transfer.

  We recommend arriving in Laveno the evening before the tour begins. If you need an extra night’s stay at the same hotel where you’ll stay on Day 1 of the tour, please let us know at checkout.

• Safety measures in Northern Italy

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.