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THE OLD MULE-TRACK CONNECTIONS OF SAN SIRO |
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This itinerary follows the old connection tracks between the hamlets of Acquaseria and Rezzonico, situated on the south slope of Monte Bregagno. These old rural settlements with their old houses made of natural stone, little piazzas with wash places and ancient chapels take you back in time. The connecting tracks lead through chestnut woods and pasture fields offer beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
From the bus stop at Acquaseria, continue for approx. 100 m and then cross the main road near the coffee-shop Bar Carlo. Go uphill to a little piazza where there is a parking place and here pick up the cobblestone street that leads through the historic centre of Acquaseria. Continuing uphill you arrive at the piazza where the church of Sant' Abbondio stands. Pick up the Via Cesare Battisti on the apposite side of the church. You end up on the road which you follow uphill to the hamlet Pezzo.You enter the hamlet and just past a small blue fountain you pick up the steps on the left leading uphill in the direction of the hamlet San Martino. You then follow the steep track that leads through the woods. At an old farm house turn left and then at once right. At the end of the steep cIimb having arrived at San Martino and Semnago at 524 m, turn right. Following the black arrows you reach the piazza where you will find the church dedicated to San Martino and next to it there is a small inn where local dishes and lodging are available. At the beginning of the piazza go right and follow the indication for Carcente. The old track leads on to the road which you leave again after the first bend by picking up the old track near a little chapel. Having arrived at Carcente 660 m, the highest point of the walk, follow the steps leading to the upper part of the town. In Carcente a small museum showing how people used lo live and work in this area has been created. The museum has no opening hours. If you are lucky to meet a resident of Carcente just ask if you can see the museum. Il is worth while. Having reached a small piazza with a wash place go towards the church. Before reaching the church pick up the steps to the left and on top of the steps turn right. Here you see the signs of the Via dei Monti Lariani (marked with a red-white-red flag with n 3), a trekking tour of 125 km connecting the Monti (alpine alms) between the southern and northern end the lake. The Via dei Monti Lariani leads from Carcente up to the left to the Monti di Carcente but you continue straight by passing underneath the Portec di Moc. Having left the village behind you a relaxing almost flat track will lead you to the hamlet of Treccione 647 m. At the beginning of the hamlet take the track downhill to right. At the point where there is a small food shop, right again. The track leads on to the road which you follow downhill to the hamlet of Noledo ignoring the deviation to Gallio. After the next bend the road picks up the old track on the left. At the first houses of Noledo turn left. Cross the road and continue on the old track. At an intersection near a fountain go left. Following the valley you reach Lucena. At the end of the steps take left. Over a small bridge you cross Valle dei Molini. At the point where you see the mail box on the corner house turn right to Marena. Having arrived at Marena, at the end of the steps turn left. On the small piazza pick up street on the left of the washing place. It leads to main road which you cross with caution to pick up the old track again. You reach the little parking lot of the hamlet of Roncate, there you follow the steps leading downhill to the right. Walk along the valley which ends up for a small stretch on the road, but after only 30 m. pick the trail up again. At the end of the descent look ahead for the castle of Rezzonico, reach the Antica Strada Regina, the ancient connection road between Como and the northern end of the Iake. Turn right and follow it down to the main road where the bus stop is. Before taking the bus we highly recommend to visit the medieval town of Rezzonico with its little piazza on the lake and the 13 century castle. ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: This alternative route follows the description above as far as Treccione but will then follow a different and longer route leading through the hamlets Camnasco, Maso, Gallio, Lucena, Marena and La Torre and ends up in Santa Maria - Estimated total walking time : 4 hrs. Route description from Treccione: At the first houses of Treccione 647 m take the track uphill to the left. You cross the village and go uphill on the road to Camnasco. At the first bend on the right you pick up the old track again. You walk through a chestnut wood and end up again on the road near the village of Camnasco 730 m. Passed the fountain you reach a little chapel. Here you leave the road and pick up the stairway leading down near some houses. After about 50 m pick up the steps going down to the right and you soon reach the hamlet of Maso. Just passed the fountain go left. The long flight of steps leads down in bends through the chestnut woods to the hamlet of Gallio. In the centre of the village at the house number 20 / 18 take right. At the end of the steps turn right to get to the church. Take the flight of steps on the left side of the church and then turn right. At the wash house turn left. At the next fork turn right. Go past a fountain and cross the road, then pick up the old track again leading down to Lucena. At the end of the steps at Lucena go left and after 20 m pick up the trail to the right leading down to Marena. In Marena at the end of the steps turn right. Cross the road and pick up the old track leading down to the hamlet of La Torre. You arrive in a little piazza and pass under the arcade. At a fork turn right. From here you overlook Santa Maria, head down to the church where you will find the bus stop and a coffee-shop. |
