Discover the Belvedere of Parco Valentino above Lecco… This morning, we are combining our trip to Lecco with a visit to the Belvedere in Parco Valentino.
Belvedere means a viewpoint. And this particular viewpoint happens to be the most photographed panoramic view in the entire region. A few years ago, a metal footbridge was built on the steep mountainside of Monte Coltignone.
The horseshoe-shaped footbridge makes you feel like a bird, soaring above the sharp and impressive mountainside. The view over Lake Como, Lecco, and the surrounding mountain peaks is breathtaking.
From Lecco, we drive to Piani Resinelli, a plateau about 1,200 meters above sea level. A narrow road with several hairpin turns, numbered as sequential “tornante,” takes us to the plateau in about 45 minutes.
The walk to the Belvedere starts in the shadow of the residential tower, right next to the parking lot on Via Escursionisti. The blue sky and pleasant autumn sunshine have now disappeared beneath a blanket of gray clouds. Clouds—could it really be?
The signs indicate just a 25-minute walk. Five minutes to the entrance of Parco Valentino, and another 20 minutes to the Belvedere. The area of Parco Valentino was originally owned by a prominent gentleman, Valentino Gerosa Crotta. In 1991, after Valentino’s passing, his grandson donated the family property to the Italian Touring Club, which named it “Parco Valentino.” In 2004, the mountain community Lario Orientale Valle San Martino purchased the area and turned it into a public tourist attraction.
We start walking. The wide path curves to the right and gradually ascends into the forest. We pass a surprisingly large number of hikers. After about ten minutes, we reach the entrance gate of Parco Valentino, which reminds us of the Efteling theme park in the Netherlands. Wisps of clouds hang between the trees in the forest. I bet there are curious gnomes keeping an eye on us from behind the trees!
On the left, we pass the Casa Museo Villa Gerosa. Twenty minutes later, we indeed arrive at the Belvedere. Clouds roll over the mountainside, and we don’t see much. We are literally “in the clouds” instead of the hoped-for beautiful view. A cold wind blows, and every now and then, we catch a glimpse of Lake Como below when the clouds momentarily lift.
We are literally in the clouds instead of the hoped-for beautiful view. We can barely see anything!
Carefully, we step onto the Belvedere, 1,377 meters above sea level. Despite the limited visibility, walking across the Belvedere today is still quite impressive. The floor is a metal grid, revealing the dizzying drop below your feet. A kilometer below lies Lake Como and the town of Lecco. All around us is a cold silence. This footbridge is definitely not recommended if you’re afraid of heights. In clear weather, the view stretches to the highest peaks of the Alps, which is undeniably unbeatable. But even in mist and clouds, the Belvedere is impressive, with a mystical atmosphere hanging in the air.
The walk to the Belvedere is accessible to everyone. You can easily walk there and back in about an hour. If you wish, you can extend the hike with a short walk to the summit of Monte Coltignone, about 30 minutes further.
If you’re in the Lecco area, the Belvedere is a nice extra. From Como, it’s about an hour’s drive to Lecco. Add another hour to get to Piani Resinelli, and another hour for the walk. And, of course, you’ll still need to return.
We’re glad we visited the Belvedere and would always recommend this outing, though we found the car trip to be quite a trek. If you’re short on time or unsure about the weather, we’d recommend planning for that perfect photo in the Lecco region for another visit.
