Autumn is an extraordinary season in Lecco and its valleys: from the lake to the mountains, the scenery is brushed with scarlet red, deep green and golden yellow. Autumn colours in Lecco paint woods, parks and lakeshores, creating unique settings perfect for a romantic stroll, a family hike or simply to pause and admire the beauty around us, slowing down and tuning into the gentle rhythm of nature as it prepares to welcome winter.
If you are planning a visit at this time of year, here are the best places to enjoy autumn colours in Lecco and experience the season at its very best.
Autumn colours in and around Lecco: exploring Piani Resinelli
Piani Resinelli are the iconic plateau at the foot of the Southern Grigna, also known as Grignetta: set at an average altitude of 1,200 metres, this area is an outstanding destination for enjoying a wonderful autumn landscape. The Valentino Park, with its panoramic Belvedere walkway overlooking Monte Coltignone, is rich in beech and birch trees that in autumn turn shades of red and ochre, offering visitors remarkable views over the lake and the most famous peaks of the region.
For hiking enthusiasts, the trails of Piani Resinelli allow you to explore woods and pastures at different elevations, with viewpoints perfect for admiring the changing autumn colours. Shorter walks are ideal for families and for those seeking a peaceful break among the warm tones of the season, while more demanding routes lead to historic climbing crags whose roots lie in the area’s renowned mountaineering tradition.
By following the main loop of Valentino Park you can immerse yourself in the most evocative autumn scenery, visiting the Villa Gerosa House Museum (in October open only on Sundays), the panoramic walkway, the summit of Monte Coltignone and Cima Paradiso. Equally appealing are the routes leading to Rifugio Carlo Porta in the heart of Bosco Giulia and to Pian delle Fontane, the starting point of the Lower Traverse. For a more challenging but highly scenic itinerary, we recommend the ascent to Rifugio Rosalba via the Sentiero delle Foppe: the first stretch through the woods offers a full immersion in autumn colours, while from the steep high-altitude meadows you can admire the lake from above and enjoy an extraordinary panorama embracing the blue of the water, the reds and ochres of the treetops and the soft light of the sky.
Autumn colours in and around Lecco: exploring Piani d’Erna
Piani d’Erna, at around 1,320 metres above sea level, are an ideal destination for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the spectacle of autumn foliage. Easily reached by the cable car departing from Versasio in Lecco, Piani d’Erna offer a wide range of hiking trails suitable for all abilities. The Nature Trail is particularly popular for its accessibility and for the many information panels that enrich the experience with insights into local flora, fauna and geology. The path leading to Rifugio Stoppani is also suitable for families and offers spectacular views over the Lecco branch of Lake Como and the surrounding valleys. For more experienced walkers, the Piani d’Erna present tougher challenges: the Canalone Bobbio is an exciting route with equipped sections requiring care and preparation, while the trail to the summit of Resegone delivers an unforgettable experience with unique views over Brianza and the Pre-Alps.
Autumn colours in and around Lecco: lakeside walks discovering typical villages
Not only woods, hills and meadows: in autumn the lakeside also turns into a natural stage where autumn colours create striking displays. The leaves of trees such as horse chestnuts and lindens take on warm hues, shaping romantic and atmospheric settings. There is no better time to enjoy a walk along the lake in Lecco, exploring some of the city’s most charming districts. Between urban parks and the traditional streets of the historic centre, you can admire the colours of the season while enjoying superb views of the surrounding mountains, including Resegone and Monte San Martino, reflected in the waters of the lake.
Travelling up the shores of Lake Como, the autumn atmosphere will guide you through some of the most distinctive villages of the Lecco area: Varenna, Bellano, as well as Mandello del Lario and Abbadia Lariana, will delight you with their cobbled lanes, small squares and evocative corners, historic houses and gardens glowing in shades of red, orange and gold.
And if you prefer a proper trek to a simple stroll, in autumn the Sentiero del Viandante, which runs along the eastern shore of Lake Como, becomes a truly enchanting route. Forests of chestnut, oak and beech turn ochre, copper and deep red, creating a spectacular contrast with the intense blue of the lake. Along this historic path, the scent of fallen leaves and the crisp air make the journey even more evocative. Every viewpoint reveals picturesque scenes, where autumn colours frame ancient villages, Romanesque churches and panoramic terraces from which to admire the season on Lake Como.
Autumn colours in and around Lecco: exploring Brianza with Parco del Curone and Monte Barro Park
According to regional data, over 53% of the Lecco area is covered by woodland, protected green spaces and natural parks. In Brianza, the Montevecchia and the Curone Valley regional Park and Monte Barro Park are two biodiversity jewels. Walking the trails of these two parks, on foot, you can experience the full intensity of autumn colours, which here reach an extraordinary richness. Among oaks and chestnuts, maples and ashes, the shades of the season blend with the scent of damp leaves, woodland aromas and roasting chestnuts.
For children and families, the parks around Lecco are a wonderful opportunity to spend a few hours outdoors, collect and taste wild chestnuts, admire the rolling hills and take part in group activities such as guided walks, educational games linked to environmental awareness projects, village festivals and food and wine tours. For lovers of nature and sport, the parks offer experiences framed by autumn scenery, ideal for capturing panoramic photographs to treasure and for enjoying special moments that combine exploring the area with the beauty of one of the most remarkable seasons of the year.
Do not miss a visit to the Hermitage of San Genesio, exactly halfway between Curone Valley Park and Monte Barro Park. Reachable on foot or by bike, the hermitage offers a panoramic view taking in the ridge of Monte di Brianza, Lake Como and all the surrounding mountains: a special place, perfect for enjoying autumn colours at an easy altitude, also suitable for younger visitors.
