From the Sentiero del Viandante to the forests of Monte Barro, from historic gardens to mountain trails: seven places and experiences to admire autumn foliage on Lake Como and in the surrounding area.
Autumn is one of the most interesting seasons to explore Lake Como through nature. Autumn foliage, the natural process in which leaves change colour before falling, offers the opportunity to see the region from a different perspective, following the transformation of the landscape between the lake, hills and mountains.
On the eastern shore in particular, just a few kilometres are enough to discover remarkably different landscapes: trails winding through beech and maple forests, botanical gardens overlooking the water, villages and valleys at the foot of the mountains surrounding Lecco.
From the Sentiero del Viandante to Monte Barro and the gardens of historic villas, here are seven places and experiences to discover the autumn colours of Lake Como and its surrounding areas.
1. Sentiero del Viandante: walking through forests with views of the lake
One of the most fascinating ways to experience autumn foliage on the eastern shore is to walk along a section of the Sentiero del Viandante, the historic trail connecting Lecco and Colico, passing through ancient settlements, woodlands, old mule tracks and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the lake.
In autumn, the route becomes a landscape of colours and contrasts: the forest leaves take on warm shades, while glimpses of the water and the mountains on the opposite shore appear between the trees.
There is no need to complete the entire trail. Visitors can choose a single stage, for example along the sections between Abbadia Lariana, Mandello del Lario, Lierna and Varenna, adapting the walk to the time available and their level of fitness.
An experience combining nature, history and scenery, offering the chance to discover some of the most distinctive corners of Lake Como’s East Side.
2. Varenna and Villa Monastero: autumn among gardens and architecture
In Varenna, autumn foliage provides a new perspective on one of Lake Como’s most recognisable landscapes. The village streets, stairways descending towards the water and the famous Passeggiata degli Innamorati offer different views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
One of the most interesting places to visit is the Botanical Garden of Villa Monastero, which stretches along the lakeshore and features a rich variety of plant species, architectural elements and panoramic viewpoints.
During autumn, the garden gradually changes appearance: the warm tones of the leaves blend with the green of evergreen plants, creating a landscape where nature, architecture and water come together in a distinctive balance.
A visit to the gardens can be combined with exploring Varenna’s historic centre, turning the day into a journey through cultural heritage and nature.
3. Monte Barro: autumn foliage just a few kilometres from Lecco
Just a short distance from Lecco, Monte Barro is one of the most interesting destinations for those wishing to experience autumn foliage surrounded by nature.
Rising to 922 metres above sea level, the Monte Barro Regional Park offers a network of approximately 44 kilometres of trails, allowing visitors to explore different natural environments, from forests and meadows to panoramic viewpoints.
Among the most picturesque areas is Valle del Faèe, on the mountain’s northern slope, characterised by beech, maple, ash and lime trees. In autumn, their canopies turn shades of yellow, orange and red, transforming the trails into a walk through the colours of the season.
As the paths climb higher, the forest gradually gives way to open views of Lake Como, Lake Garlate and the lakes of Brianza.
Monte Barro is also easily accessible from the lakeshore. Several hiking routes start from Malgrate, Valmadrera and Galbiate, offering options for both short walks and more challenging hikes. From Malgrate, for example, Pian Sciresa can be reached in approximately 30 minutes on foot, while reaching the summit of Monte Barro can take up to a couple of hours, depending on the chosen route and starting point.
This variety is what makes Monte Barro particularly special: within a single hike, visitors can move from the intimate atmosphere of the woodland to sweeping views of a landscape where lakes, mountains and plains meet.
4. Valsassina: autumn colours at the foot of the Grigne mountains
Leaving the lake behind and heading towards Valsassina, the landscape changes once again. The mountains take centre stage, and autumn foliage can be admired along trails crossing forests, pastures and small mountain settlements.
Areas worth exploring include the surroundings of Pasturo, Barzio and Introbio, where visitors can choose walks and hikes of varying lengths and levels of difficulty.
The slopes of the Grigne mountains offer a striking contrast between the warm colours of the forests and the dramatic outlines of the rocky cliffs. As autumn progresses, differences in altitude create a particularly varied landscape: some areas remain green, while others already display the season’s richest colours.
Valsassina is therefore a natural extension of a visit to Lake Como, ideal for those wishing to combine lakeside scenery with a mountain experience.
5. Villa Carlotta: autumn foliage in a historic garden
Moving to the western shore of the lake, in Tremezzo, another destination worth considering is Villa Carlotta, renowned for its artistic heritage and extensive botanical garden.
In autumn, the park gradually transforms. The warm shades of the leaves appear among centuries-old trees, pathways and views of the lake, creating a landscape where history and botany meet.
The upper areas of the garden are particularly atmospheric, where the vegetation offers a different experience from the more formal spaces closer to the villa.
Walking through the park during this season reveals another side of one of Lake Como’s best-known landmarks, offering the opportunity to observe how the landscape evolves from week to week.
6. Autumn foliage from the lake: a different perspective on the season’s colours
There is no need to enter a forest to admire autumn foliage. Another possibility is to experience the colours of the season directly from the water.
Cruising along the shores of Lake Como offers a different perspective on the villages, historic villas, forests and mountains surrounding the lake.
During autumn, the wooded hillsides and mountain slopes create particularly striking contrasts with the blue waters. Reflections on the lake and the softer light of autumn days make the scenery even more captivating.
Visitors can choose a scheduled ferry connection between lakeside towns or a private boat excursion, creating an itinerary that reveals the region from a completely different viewpoint.
7. Monza Park: autumn foliage on the outskirts of Milan
For those travelling from Lake Como towards Milan, another destination not to be missed is Monza Park, one of Europe’s largest enclosed historic parks and one of Brianza’s most beautiful places to experience autumn.
Covering approximately 700 hectares, the park offers a remarkably varied landscape, where long tree-lined avenues, meadows, woodlands and waterways alternate with historic buildings and architectural landmarks. During this season, oaks, maples, plane trees and other deciduous trees take on shades ranging from golden yellow to deep red, creating particularly beautiful scenery.
Visitors can explore the park on foot or by bicycle, following its network of paths and discovering places such as Villa Mirabello, Villa Mirabellino and the Royal Gardens of the Royal Villa of Monza, where autumn foliage becomes part of a landscape of great historical and cultural significance.
An ideal destination for those wishing to combine a visit to Lake Como with a day surrounded by nature, discovering another side of autumn in Lombardy on the way to Milan.
Casa sull’Albero: when autumn foliage becomes part of the room
In Malgrate, on the eastern shore of Lake Como, autumn foliage can also become part of the hospitality experience.
Casa sull’Albero, an intimate boutique property with 12 rooms and suites surrounded by a park of centuries-old trees, offers a privileged perspective on the colours of autumn.
Its distinctive glass-and-wood architecture creates a continuous connection with the surrounding natural environment. Through the large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the park, the changing colours of the leaves become part of the scenery accompanying guests throughout their stay, bringing the beauty of autumn foliage into the rooms themselves.
An experience that celebrates autumn in a more intimate setting, where architecture, nature and hospitality come together and the landscape becomes an integral part of the stay.
When is the best time to see autumn foliage on Lake Como?
Autumn foliage does not follow a fixed calendar. The changing colours of the leaves depend on temperatures, altitude, tree species and the weather conditions of each year.
Generally, between October and November, the forests around Lake Como and the surrounding areas display some of their most beautiful autumn shades.
In mountain areas and at higher altitudes, the transformation may begin earlier, while closer to the lake, where the climate is generally milder, the colours may develop more gradually.
For this reason, the best time to visit can vary considerably from one location to another. Before planning an excursion, it is always advisable to check trail conditions and the seasonal opening hours of villas, gardens and attractions.
From the lake to the mountains, from historic gardens to woodland trails, autumn offers countless opportunities to discover the diversity of the Lake Como region. Each destination reveals different colours, atmospheres and perspectives, making autumn foliage a common thread for exploring Lake Como and its eastern shore.
