The perimeter on the lake is practicable thanks an easy path that connects places imbued with sweetness and serenity of other times. On the highest point of the island stands the ancient Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola; from up there you can enjoy the splendid view of the lake and of the surrounding mountains like the Guglielmo to make a magnificent backdrop towards the north-east, on the Brescia side of the lake.

So we walk towards Carzano on foot; from Peschiera Maraglio, where you arrive with the shuttle boat from Sulzano, the path winds flat on the shore, or a short distance from the lake. In Carzano, on the north-eastern coast, it takes about forty minutes. Through the inhabited area – particular attention deserve two small harbors between ancient fishermen’s houses, evocative glimpses for fans of painting and photography – here on the left the church of S. Giovanni Battista. Go past it, continue uphill for Siviano, leaving a camping site downstream of the road and a little further on the Paradiso area, while the islet of Loreto emerges from the water.
Siviano extends on a terraced slope facing north-east, between vines and olive trees, dominated by the powerful medieval tower of the Martinengo; authentic little gem is the small port that can be reached in a few minutes with a path that branches off from the village itself.

The path then leads to Sinchignano (we are about halfway up the excursion) and at a crossroads, where we will take a right to Menzino and Sensole (the road that goes up to the left leads to Senzano, a valuable vantage point); just offshore, in front of the port of Sensole, there is the islet of S. Paolo, while on a promontory stands the Oldofredi castle.

Returning on the main road along a steep path, the hike continues to the right between the lake and olive trees with light foliage, up to Peschiera M., now no further starting point. But before embarking for the return, we recommend to spend a few minutes to visit the country that you read in the tourist posters “has nothing to envy to the villages of the Venice lagoon. The lake is on the doorstep and the colors are the joy of the painters“.

Difference in height: 80m
Trip time: 3 hours
Difficulty: easy

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