The approximately 10-kilometre-long Greenway del Lago di Como passes through Griante. You can walk the entire route in about three and a half hours, or choose individual sections. Part of the historic Via Francigena Romana also runs through the town. This gives you a choice of different routes for your plans—from the full-length route to a walk in the hinterland.
Routes, times and scenery
The Via dei Castelli is an easy walking route in the hinterland and an alternative to the Greenway. Along the way, it passes several sites of old fortifications. A one-way walk on the Via dei Castelli takes about 40 minutes; there is free and paid parking near the starting point. The times provide a guide when choosing between the routes: about three and a half hours for the entire Greenway and around 40 minutes each way on the Via dei Castelli. Durations and parking options may change, so check this information before your trip.
A hiking trail leads from Griante to Sasso San Martino, where you can enjoy sweeping views over Lake Como. The area around Sasso was part of the Cadorna Line, an important defensive line during the First World War. Trenches, tunnels and armoured positions bear witness to this. The sweeping view over Lake Como meets the traces of the Cadorna Line here.
Cadenabbia is an important point of reference for trips across the lake. It is home to one of the most important ferry piers, connecting the centre of Lake Como with Varenna and Bellagio. If you plan to take a ferry, check the current timetable beforehand.
Churches and art history
The Chiesa di San Martino stands on a natural terrace at an altitude of 475 metres. From there, panoramic views extend across Lake Como and the mountains in the background. The history of its name can also be placed in context: by the end of the 16th century, the church already existed as San Martino al Monte. Around the mid-17th century, it received its current name and title.
Two works of art from different periods can be found in the Chiesa dei Santi Nabore e Felice. A 14th-century fresco fragment depicts the Adoration of the Magi at the Grotto of Bethlehem. There is also an altarpiece of the Assumption of Mary, painted by Alessandro Maganza (1556–1632), a pupil of Titian. The fresco and altarpiece present two clearly distinct religious subjects.
The Chiesa Anglicana dell’Ascensione was the first Anglican church built on Italian territory. Its architecture shows features of 15th-century late Lombard Gothic style. These include a single-nave church, large transverse arches and a rose window on the façade. Small arches beneath the eaves and pinnacles above the supporting pillars complete the design. These architectural forms make the regional style recognisable through specific features.
Villas and historical layers
The historic Villa Maresi, facing the lake, lies between Griante and Cadenabbia. It was built between 1895 and 1905 on the ruins of an old manor house that belonged to a fortified complex. The villa stands in a park at the foot of Sasso di San Martino and is designed in the English neo-Gothic style. It is privately owned.
Villa Collina is also associated with earlier remains: it stands on the ruins of a medieval tower and is surrounded by a park. Villa Margherita in Cadenabbia di Griante offers a connection to an earlier period. It was built in 1853 on commission from publisher Giulio Ricordi. Together, the villas illustrate different historical connections—from medieval ruins to 19th-century residences.
Discover more destinations: Asso, Trezzone, Pognana Lario, Ossuccio, Cassina Rizzardi, Montorfano, Nesso, Sorico.
For the main travel overview: Como.
