Mountains and rivers

As a natural frame to the Como and Novate Mezzola basin rises the pre-Alpine chain, rich with peaks, charming valleys and sunny slopes, enjoyable all year round.
This generous inland offers a vast variety of excursions, suitable to all kinds of requirements, tracks to be covered either on foot or by mountain bike, possibility to stay overnight in alpine refuges and eat in simple and cheerful “trattorie”, where one can rediscover the genuine taste of times past, and as an unexpected reward after the fatigue, the delight of breathtaking landscapes.

Close to Sorico, the river Mera descends from Val Chiavenna entering Lake Novate Mezzola continuing it’s course into Lake Como; nearby the river Adda also enters the lake after it’s long journey down the green Valtellina.

Between the two rivers lies the oasis of Pian di Spagna, a vast plane, once marsh now a natural reserve which, with it’s area of 1586 hectare, is the largest in Lombardia.

It is a territory with particular characteristics, unique on the Italian side of the Alps. Formed by a mosaic of fields, corn, reeds and marches, it is the natural habitat of many migrating and resident birds, one of which is the Royal Swan.

In every season this territory offers colourful and unusual landscapes, rich with an unusual flora and fauna, typical of marshland. An oasis rightly protected which deserves to be visited taking advantage of the many possibilities for walks or excursions either on horseback or bicycle.