Gastronomic Triathlon
An expedition across two lakes —
by bicycle, by boat, on foot.
Two lakes, one day, three ways to cross.
We set off at 7:00 from Menaggio on Lake Como: check-in, coffee, then 13.7 km by bike in two legs through Bene Lario and Porlezza. A public boat crosses Lake Lugano to Oria for an aperitif at Villa Fogazzaro Roi, then 10 km on foot — uphill to Castello, down through Loggio to the Cressogno pier.
Along the route, eight stations — six of them at the table. Coffee and snacks, lake aperitif, first course, main course, dessert and coffee. A day for those who don't separate the pleasure of moving from the pleasure of eating.
You don't need to be an athlete. You need curiosity.
Menaggio
Sports Field · Check-in
CHECK-IN · WELCOMECheck-in at the Menaggio Sports Field. The guides introduce the day in ten minutes — three legs, shared rules, what to expect. Coffee and healthy snacks by Osteria La Lanterna. The first bike leg departs at 7:30.
Bene Lario
Leg 1 · 4.5 km
BIKE · 4.5 KM · LEG 1After 4.5 km through Menaggio, Grandola ed Uniti, and Bene Lario, a short break before the second leg departs at 8:35.
Porlezza
Secure bike parking
BIKE · 9.2 KM · LEG 2The second leg covers 9.2 km through Bene Lario, Carlazzo, and Porlezza. Bikes are dropped at the secure parking lot. The Società Navigazione Lugano boat departs at 10:00.
Porlezza pier
Boarding · Light meeting point
MEETING · BOARDINGWe welcome the Light participants, who join the day here. We board the public Società Navigazione Lugano boat; departure for Oria at 10:00 sharp.
The crossing
Porlezza → Oria · Public boat
BOAT · 30 MINA 30-minute scenic ride on the Società Navigazione Lugano public boat across the eastern arm of Lake Lugano from Porlezza to Oria. Time to watch Valsolda from the water before lunch ashore.
Oria
Villa Fogazzaro Roi · Aperitif
LUNCH · APERITIFLunch begins at the FAI villa in Oria that once belonged to Antonio Fogazzaro. Osteria La Lanterna hosts an aperitif before the first hike leg sets off at 11:15.
Castello
Valsolda hamlet · Medieval belvedere
TREK · 2.5 KM · UPHILLThe first hike leg — 2.5 km uphill — brings you to Castello, a hamlet above the lake with a fourteenth-century church. First course by Osteria La Lanterna. The second leg (5 km downhill) departs at 1:00 p.m.
Loggio
Valsolda · Lakeside hamlet
TREK · 5 KM · DOWNHILLFive kilometres downhill on a well-marked trail to Loggio. Main course by Osteria La Lanterna. The third hike leg (2.5 km downhill) leaves at 2:15 p.m. for the Cressogno pier.
Cressogno pier
Dessert & coffee & farewell
TREK · 2.5 KM · DESCENTArrival at the Cressogno pier. Dessert and coffee courtesy of La Lanterna, certificate presentation, photos, and an optional swim in the lake.
