Up in the cable cars, you start the day with Lake Como already under your feet. This half-mountain, half-lakeside outing mixes a funicular ride with a guided trek and ends with a boat cruise for a classic Como finish.

What I like most is the mix of easy-to-follow direction plus real foot time on wooded trails and old paths. You also get a proper mountain lunch in a baita, with local food and time to slow down. One thing to consider: the walk is “easy mountain trek,” but the downhill is still steep and step-heavy.

You’ll start in Downtown Como, ride up to Brunate in about 7 minutes, then work your way through villages and viewpoints above the water. A small group capped at 10 makes it feel less like a production and more like a day out with a local. The main drawback is physical fit: it’s not for people with back problems or mobility limitations, and hiking shoes really matter.

Key highlights at a glance

• Funicular + boat combo: cable car uphill, boat back downhill views
• Ancient Roman trail feel: woods walking, not just a viewpoint stroll
• Santa Elisabetta viewpoint: a church stop with big Lake Como angles
• Pietra Pendula: a dramatic giant boulder perched on the rock apex
• Piazzaga baita lunch: local entrée, main à la carte, plus wine and coffee
• Torno finale: last wide lake view before the boat ride

The Como–Brunate Funicular: Your first big view, fast

The meeting point is right by the Funicolare Como–Brunate station in Downtown Como, a short walk from Como Lago train station. The idea here is simple: you don’t “earn” the view by suffering uphill for an hour. You take the cable train up to Brunate and let the Lake Como scenery roll in early.

The funicular ride is brief—about 7 minutes—so it doesn’t feel like filler. It’s more like a warm-up for what the day will be: moving between levels of the lake, then walking where the land changes elevation. You’ll also get a guided moment of scenic viewing after you arrive in Brunate, which helps you orient quickly. That matters because once you start walking, you’ll want to understand where towns sit relative to the water.

Bring a jacket. Even in decent weather, this part of the day can feel cooler when you’re higher and in open air.

Brunate to Blevio: Woods walking plus village-to-village context

Once you’re in the Brunate area, the trek shifts into “guided mountain day” mode. You’ll head out along a scenic path through characteristic villages and forests, with your guide explaining the Como area and its surrounding mountains as you go.

The walk includes segments across the mountainside with area stops such as Blevio, Sorto, and Cazzannoro. You’re not just hiking in a straight line; you’re traveling across a patchwork of hillside communities. That’s where the guided element pays off. It’s much easier to appreciate what you’re seeing when you understand how these spots relate to Lake Como—because from above, everything looks beautiful but also confusing.

This is also the part where the day may surprise you, in a good way. You’ll walk through woods on an ancient Roman trail, which gives the route a “this has been used for centuries” feel. The pace is friendly, but remember the reality: even on an “easy” trek, you’re moving for hours on uneven ground.

Monte Piatto and Santa Elisabetta: When the lake finally fills the frame

As the route continues, you reach the hamlet of Monte Piatto and then the viewpoint area around the church of Santa Elisabetta. This is one of those stops where the timing feels right. You’ve done enough walking to warm up, and you’ve reached a spot where the lake view becomes the main event.

From Santa Elisabetta, you get panoramic views over Lake Como. That means you can finally see the day as a whole: the towns clinging to shorelines, the mountain shapes behind them, and the water acting like the anchor for everything. If you’re the type who likes photos, this is your moment—but try not to rush. Let your eyes adjust. Lake Como views can look similar if you snap and move too fast.

Nearby, the route includes time to reach Pietra Pendula—a huge boulder suspended on top of limestone rock. It’s only a short visit, but it’s the kind of weird, impressive natural feature that feels very Como: dramatic but not staged.

Pietra Pendula to Piazzaga: Steps, boulders, and a lunch that slows you down

After the boulder moment, the trek continues with more walking time through the hillside area. You’ll pass by Massi Avelli along the way, adding another “how is that even there?” stop before lunch.

Then comes Piazzaga, where you take your lunch break in a typical baita. This is a big part of why this tour works. You’re not just eating to fuel up; you’re taking a proper pause in the mountains with local food.

Your lunch is included with:

• 1 entrée
• 1 main course à la carte
• water, house wine, and coffee

A couple practical notes for your day:

• If you’re sensitive to wine or you’d rather keep it light, you can still enjoy the meal—water is included.
• The lunch timing builds a rhythm. You get viewpoint breaks before and after, so the hike never feels like one long grind with no payoff.

One caution from real-world feedback: don’t assume “easy” means “gentle.” The downhill can be very step-heavy. If you have knee issues or you hate long descents on stone steps, make sure your shoes have good grip and take your time on the way down.

Torno descent and the boat ride back: The Como reset

After lunch, you continue toward Torno, a lakeside town where you’ll get a last big view over Lake Como. This is where the tour’s pacing makes sense. You’ve walked through villages, forests, and viewpoints. Now you end with the lake itself—no climbing left, just perspective.

You’ll walk around 45 minutes in the Torno area, and then you shift to the boat. The boat cruise is about 30 minutes, giving you a moving view across the water before the day ends back near the funicular station area.

This return by boat is more than a nice extra. It ties the whole day together. You came up from the lake by funicular; you come back by water. You also get the lake’s “full context” one last time, from the perspective you’ll actually remember in the photos.

If you’re traveling with someone who thinks hiking is boring, the boat ride is often the turning point. It’s visual, relaxing, and very Como.

Price and value: What you’re really paying for

The price is $203.91 per person for a 6-hour guided experience. On the surface, that might sound like a “tour tax.” In practice, the math works better because a lot is bundled in.

You get:

• a guide (live, English and Italian)
• funicular ticket up to Brunate
• boat ticket back toward Como
• lunch at a baita with multiple courses plus coffee and wine

That’s a meaningful amount of paid transport and a full meal included, not a snack stop. Also, the group is limited to 10, which usually makes it easier to ask questions and keep the walk organized—especially on a route that involves viewpoints and uneven terrain.

So the value question becomes: are you happy paying for convenience and structure? If you want to do this on your own, you’d be piecing together the funicular, your hiking route, and a boat timetable—possible, but more planning. If you want an efficient, guided day with built-in breaks and a real lunch, this is the kind of package that can feel worth it.

Fitness reality check: Steep downhill, 400 meters down

This trek is suitable for walkers and even untrained hikers—but the route includes steep descents and requires real trail footwear. The key stat is the downhill gradient of 400 meters. That means you’re working against gravity on the way back down, not just walking on flat ground.

Also, the day includes forest walking for some hours. Bring:

• hiking shoes
• water
• jacket

If you’re someone who hates stairs or you’re worried about leg fatigue, plan your pace conservatively. Take breaks when you need them, and don’t be shy about slowing the group slightly when the steps get dense.

Not suitable for:

• people with back problems
• people with mobility impairments
• wheelchair users

Seasonal note: Funicular maintenance may change the plan (March–April 2025)

If you’re planning your trip between March and April 2025, note that the Como–Brunate funicular will be closed for maintenance until April 13. In that period, the boat ride will be replaced by a bus ride.

It’s not the same “cable car + boat” day. If you’re booking specifically for that boat segment, double-check the dates and what transportation you’ll receive on your selected day.

Should you book this Lake Como trek by funicular and boat?

Book it if you want:

• Lake Como views with less uphill stress thanks to the funicular
• a guided walk that takes you through woods, villages, and specific landmarks like Santa Elisabetta and Pietra Pendula
• an included baita lunch that feels like part of the day, not an afterthought
• the classic Como finish of arriving back by boat

Skip it (or choose something else) if:

• you know you struggle with steep downhill steps
• you need a more accessible walking surface
• you’d be disappointed if the funicular/boat combo isn’t operating exactly as planned on your dates

If you’re an active walker who enjoys viewpoints and doesn’t mind some step-heavy descent, this is a well-paced way to see Como from both the mountain side and the water side.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Como funicular trek with boat ride?

The experience lasts 6 hours.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet your guide in front of the funicular station in Downtown Como, about a 5-minute walk from Como Lago train station.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get a guide, funicular ticket, boat ticket, and local lunch at a typical baita (including 1 entrée, 1 main course à la carte, water, house wine, and coffee).

Is the trek difficult?

It’s suitable for walkers, including untrained walkers, but it involves steep descents and walking in the woods for hours. The vertical downhill gradient is 400 meters, and you should be prepared for some step-heavy downhill sections.

What language is the tour guide?

The live guide offers English and Italian.

What if I’m traveling in March–April 2025?

The Como–Brunate funicular will be closed for maintenance until April 13, and the boat ride will be replaced by a bus ride during that time.

You Might Also Enjoy

Puerto Natales: Base Torres Small Group TrekkingOff the Map Chiang Mai Jungle Coffee Trek Roast and BrewDALAT: Trekking Pinhatt & Sup/Kayaking Tuyen Lam Lake TourSalkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu