A picnic with a mountain view beats the usual. I especially love the quiet viewpoint above Lake Como, and I love the fresh local spread from the Valtellina and Valsassina valleys. This is one of those Lake Como days that feels less like sightseeing and more like being let in on a local secret.

The guide is a big part of the magic. Maria runs the show in a calm, welcoming way, and she helps you connect the scenery to the food. One heads-up: this is open air with real walking time (including a 40-minute stretch), so comfortable shoes aren’t optional.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Small-group feel (max 8) keeps the day relaxed and personal
• Drive up into the foothills means big views without a full-day hike
• Forest walk with Lake Como views above you
• A fully set picnic at a secluded spot, with wine and water included
• Stops in Valsassina and a traditional village add variety beyond just the lunch view

Why this Varenna Alps picnic feels different

Lake Como is famous for dramatic water views, but this experience takes you higher—into the foothills where the air feels cooler and the crowds thin out fast. You’ll ride from Varenna, take a couple of short breaks along the way, then do just enough walking to earn those postcard angles. Then you stop doing “tour stuff” and start eating like a local.

I like that the day has a clear rhythm: scenic drive, viewpoint walks, then a long sit-down picnic (1.5 hours). It’s not a rushed “grab a bite, take a photo, move on” situation. And because it’s a small group, you actually get a conversation with the guide—Maria is particularly good at pointing out what you’re seeing and how it connects to the region.

The other thing I love is the food focus. The picnic basket is built around local products from Valtellina and Valsassina. You get meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, light snacks, plus water and wine. It’s the kind of meal that feels intentional—like you’re tasting the valleys, not just eating on a blanket.

Start at Piazza Martiri: the easy meet-up point

You meet at Piazza Martiri, at the pier by the Hotel Olivedo. Look for the Picnickle sign. That matters more than it sounds, because Lake Como ferries and waterfronts can make your first five minutes feel like a mild scavenger hunt.

From there, you board a car for the mountain portion. Roundtrip transportation from Varenna is included, so you’re not trying to solve logistics with bus schedules or taxis while the best light is already moving.

The guide speaks Italian, English, and Russian, so you’ll get explanations in your language of choice. Most people are there to enjoy the view, but the storytelling layer is what keeps it from becoming background noise.

Valsassina photo stop and the Lake Como scenic drive

Early on, there’s a photo stop in Valsassina (about 10 minutes). Think of it as the warm-up: you’ll get a quick chance to frame Lake Como and the mountain slopes, and you’ll start noticing the mix of orchards, old structures, and that “in-between” terrain where villages sit near farmland.

Then comes a scenic drive (around 20 minutes). This part is underrated because it sets the stage. As you go, you’re seeing half-abandoned churches, orchards, and dramatic stretches of the lake. If you like travel days where you can relax your legs and let the scenery do the work, this drive is a win.

A practical note: if you’re the type who always wants the best seats, choose your spot in the van as soon as you can. You’re going up and around, so angles change quickly.

The forest walk and viewpoints that actually feel quiet

Once you arrive near the foothills, you leave the car and follow the guide on a walk through the forest with Lake Como views from above. This is the part that makes the day feel natural, not packaged. The forest stretch also breaks up the day in a nice way—moving your body lightly before you settle in for a long picnic.

After that, you’ll reach a viewpoint area and do a walk of about 40 minutes. This is not an exhausting trek, but it is walking. The route gives you time to look around instead of just passing through. And on clear days, the views can be so broad that you may even spot Lake Lugano in Switzerland from high up—something mentioned in guest experiences.

What makes the viewpoints work so well is that they’re far away from crowds. Lake Como is crowded in its best-known spots. Up here, it feels calmer. You’re not competing for the same angle; the whole mountain face becomes your photo backdrop.

How the picnic spot is set up (and why 1.5 hours matters)

The picnic is at a secluded location in the foothills. When you get there, a ready-made setup is already in place, including seating and a blanket setup (people note it looks thoughtfully constructed). There’s also light music in the background, which is a small detail, but it helps keep the vibe elegant without making it feel like a party.

You get 1.5 hours at the picnic location. That time is the difference between eating and enjoying. You can actually pace yourself—first taste, then slow down and look out at the panorama. You’re not rushing through a meal to catch the next bus out of the mountains.

What’s in the picnic basket

The basket includes a mix of:

• Meat
• Cheese
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Light snacks
• Water and wine

The selection is described as lovingly selected and freshly prepared, with a strong local focus. From what guests highlight, the cheese and meats tend to be the stars, but the fruits and vegetables help balance the plate so you’re not just stuck eating heavy things in mountain air.

One thing I appreciate: this isn’t just food thrown onto a blanket. The guide gives you the stories behind producers and farmers of the region. That matters because it changes how you taste. You’re not only thinking about flavor—you’re thinking about place.

The small-group advantage (and Maria’s role)

This runs as a small group with a limit of 8 participants. That’s the sweet spot for me: big enough that you don’t feel awkward sitting alone, but small enough that the guide can check in and keep the pace comfortable.

Maria comes up again and again in experiences because she’s attentive without hovering. Guests mention she explains the places you pass on the drive—charming villages, mountain scenery, and what you’re seeing as the weather changes. Some days have imperfect weather, and the guide’s job is to keep the experience rewarding anyway. The good news: even when clouds roll in, the schedule still gives you multiple chances to catch the best visibility from up high.

Other guides may join on some dates (names like Yuri and Roman appear in experiences), but the standard seems consistent: friendly, organized, and tuned to the group.

Traditional village walk on the return: a nice palate-cleanser

After the long picnic, you don’t just zoom straight back down. There’s a traditional village walk (about 20 minutes). This gives you something different to look at—architecture, streets, and local life—before you wrap up the day.

If you’ve spent time along Lake Como’s waterfront already, this village stop is a good way to break the “same scenery” pattern. It feels more human-scale than the mountain viewpoint, and it rounds out the day so it’s not only about one big moment.

Then you head back to Varenna A Lago / the meeting point at Piazza Martiri.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

The price is $163.13 per person for a 4-hour experience (starting times vary). That can look steep at first glance—until you price out what’s bundled.

You’re getting:

• Roundtrip transportation from Varenna
• A picnic basket with meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, light snacks
• Water and wine
• A live guide (and small-group guiding, not a large bus)
• Entry tickets (included, though the exact sites aren’t spelled out)

So you’re not only paying for lunch. You’re paying for the logistics of getting up into the foothills and having a prepared, secluded picnic waiting for you. And you’re paying for guide time—helpful, conversational, and rooted in the region rather than a generic script.

If you’re the type who likes food experiences, the wine and local selection are a big part of the value. If you’re mostly chasing views, the combination of viewpoint walks plus transportation saves you the effort of arranging it yourself—especially in a place where timing matters.

Who should book this, and who should think twice

This experience is ideal if you want:

• A scenic Lake Como day that feels quieter and less crowded
• A food-and-view combo (the picnic is the centerpiece)
• A short walk plus a longer sit-down meal, not a full trek day
• A guide-led day in a small group (max 8)

Think twice if:

• You have mobility limits or you know you prefer zero-walking plans. This isn’t listed as suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the schedule includes walking segments.
• You hate uneven outdoor terrain or you’re not comfortable on foot for about an hour of walking total across the day.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

This takes place outside, so plan like a mountain outing. Guests mention how conditions can shift—clouds can hide the best views briefly, then clear up. That’s part of the Alpine experience. Your best move is to be ready for changing light.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Sun hat

Also, I’d pack a light layer. Even if you start warm in Varenna, higher elevations can feel cooler, and sitting for 1.5 hours makes it easier to notice temperature changes.

Final verdict: should you book the Varenna Alps picnic?

If you want a Lake Como day that swaps crowds for a calmer mountain setting and swaps random snacks for a real local picnic, I’d book this. The best part is the pairing: you walk to a view, then you slow down for an actual meal with wine where the scenery stays in your line of sight.

I’d skip it only if walking is a hard no for you. Otherwise, it’s a solid value for what you get: transportation, guiding, and a prepared spread of regional flavors in one of the most scenic parts of the area.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the picnic experience?

Meet in Piazza Martiri at the pier by the Hotel Olivedo. Look for the Picnickle sign.

How long is the experience?

The total duration is about 4 hours.

Is transportation included from Varenna?

Yes. Roundtrip transportation from Varenna is included.

What’s included in the picnic basket?

The picnic basket includes meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, light snacks, plus water and wine.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live guide is available in Italian, English, and Russian.

Is this experience suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No, it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. It takes place outdoors and includes walking.