The Rotary Trail

The Rotary Trail is one of the most fascinating walking experiences in the Lecco area, offering a route that serves as a veritable panoramic ‘balcony’ overlooking the town and the surrounding lakes. Conceived by the Rotary Club of Lecco in 1991, this trail winds its way along the slopes of the Pre-Alps, linking various historic districts and immersing walkers in a beautiful natural setting. The beauty of the route lies in its ability to combine sport with culture, passing through some of the places that inspired Alessandro Manzoni to write his famous novel The Betrothed.

The route: from Versasio to the Castle of the Unnamed

The adventure usually begins in Versasio, at the square by the cable car that leads to Piani d’Erna. From here, the path descends gently towards the hamlet of Acquate, where, after about an hour’s walk, you cross the Bione stream via the picturesque Ponte della Tenaglia, known locally as ‘el Punt de la Tenaja’. Continuing along ancient mule tracks and well-signposted paths, walkers pass through Germanedo and the historic Marietta fountain, mentioned by Abbot Stoppani, before reaching the Campo de’ Boi valley.

The route continues through the hamlet of Neguggio, characterised by wide meadows and a small pond that appears after heavy rainfall, opening up views towards Brianza and the surrounding mountains. Passing through the hamlets of Belledo and Maggianico, you reach Piazzo, a cluster of restored farmhouses offering spectacular views of Lake Garlate and the Corni di Canzo. The final stretch leads to the foot of the rocky outcrop where the ruins of the Castello dell’Innominato stand, a symbol of the Manzoni itinerary located in Vercurago.

Between Faith and History in Somasca

Once you reach your destination, the trail ends near the Sanctuary of St Jerome Emiliani in Somasca. Here you can explore the places where the saint, founder of the Congregation of the Somaschi Fathers, devoted his life to caring for orphans in the 16th century. The descent towards the village of Vercurago takes you down a monumental flight of steps flanked by chapels depicting the life of St Jerome, offering a moment of reflection before the walk comes to an end.

Technical information

The Rotary Trail takes around 4 hours to complete and is classified as ‘Tourist’ (T) or ‘Easy Hike’ (E), making it accessible to anyone with a minimum level of fitness. For those who prefer cycling, the route can also be tackled by mountain bike, although it requires good technique to navigate a few short sections where you will need to push your bike.

The trail is extremely flexible thanks to the numerous access points linked by public transport. Once you have completed the route in Vercurago, you can easily return to Lecco using Linee Lecco bus no. 1 or the local railway line.