Brunate’s funicular: visit Lake Como from above

In between the many things to do in your day at Lake Como, there is sure one you cannot miss: Brunate’s funicular

Discover the lake’s beautiful scenery from above with Brunate’s funicular.

The best is that by using Brunate’s funicular you will climb without effort, for a cheap fee and while admiring a stunning scenery. To reach Brunate’s funicular, the first step is to take the boat going to Como from the dock right in front of the Hotel Posta in Moltrasio.

Once off the ferry and after a nice walk through the city center amidst shops and elegant cafes, look for Piazzale della Funicolare. From here departs this engineering marvel built in the far 1894. It connects Como to the town of Brunate every 30 minutes until midnight. The trip will only last 7 minutes and it will reach the maximum allowed gradient, which is 55%. The fee is really small, only 3 euro for a single journey and 5,50 euro for a round trip.

The panoramic point you’ll reach once left the funicular is truly evocative, and it’s also the starting point for beautiful walks! Only a few minutes away by feet you will reach Pissarottino’s wellspring, another incredibly panoramic point from where you can admire the lake’s first basin, Villa d’Este, Villa Erba and Mount Rosa with its snowy peaks.

For a breathtaking view of the city, however, we recommend that you continue to the Faro Voltiano, as we suggested in this article.

Instead of coming back by funicular, you can reach Como on two alternative tracks: one runs by the funicular while the other, more charming, winds through the Eremo of San Donato, a former monastery built in the XV century. If you are in the mood for some climbing instead, take the bus till San Maurizio or Cao, and from there you can climb up at your leisure.

If you are passionate about archeology, I strongly advise you to visit Mount Piatto. Here you can see the avelli and the Pietra Pendula (a big balancing rock). What are the avelli? Graves digged in the sparse granite boulders, probably of late Romanesque age, and they are virtually everywhere in Como’s territory. Your excursion can then continue in Torno, where you can admire the splendid church of San Giovanni and from there you can take the ferry back to Moltrasio.

The walk is easy and has a duration of roughly 2 hours and half. But pay attention, there are a few bits where the surrounding terrain slid on the path. The track is open all year round but you might want to avoid it when it snows. Are you thinking of spending time around Lake Como and you want to know more about possible excursions? Patty, the staff of the Hotel Posta in Moltrasio and I are at your disposal to suggest you the most suitable walk! We are waiting for you with a smile!

Photo Credits & Info http://www.funicolarecomo.it