Picture Lake Como from above, without the crowds. This Varenna-to-the-mountains picnic experience trades busy promenades for quiet foothill scenery and a real taste of the region, with the drive and short walks doing most of the work for you. I like how the day mixes movement (a forest hike) with a set-up picnic that feels special from the first minute.

My favorite part is the local picnic spread—meat, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, light snacks, plus water and wine—served in a spot with dramatic Lake Como views. One thing to consider: this is open-air and it involves walking (including a 40-minute viewpoint walk and a 20-minute village stroll), so it’s not a fit if you have mobility limits.

The Big Picture: What You’re Really Buying

This isn’t a sit-and-stare lunch with a view pasted on top. It’s a 4-hour “small effort, big payoff” plan: you ride up from Varenna, stretch your legs on foot through the forest and viewpoints, then settle into a ready-to-enjoy picnic high above the lake.

The operator behind it is Picnickle, and many days are led by guides such as Maria. Other guides have included Yuri and Roman, so you can expect a friendly, chatty host who keeps the route moving and the mood relaxed.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel in Real Life

• Small group (up to 8): Less waiting, more personal pacing, and easier photo stops.
• Pickup at Piazza Martiri pier (Hotel Olivedo): Clear meeting point with the Picnickle sign.
• Forest-to-viewpoint walking (about 40 minutes): You earn the view instead of getting it handed to you.
• Valtellina and Valsassina local foods: Meat, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, bread, snacks, plus water and wine.
• A secluded, photogenic picnic setup: Blanket-and-seat style comfort with lake views as your table companion.
• Traditional village stop (about 20 minutes): A slower, lake-level wander to balance the mountain time.

Meeting in Varenna: Piazza Martiri and the Start of the Day

The experience begins right at the pier in Piazza Martiri, next to Hotel Olivedo. Look for the Picnickle sign by the meeting area at Varenna A Lago. It’s a practical setup because you’re already in the right place for getting to and from ferries and waterfront hotels.

What I like about this start is the energy: instead of meeting somewhere far from town, you begin where Lake Como is right there in front of you. Then you board the car/van for the mountain route. The guides help you get your bearings fast—especially helpful if you don’t speak Italian and you’re trying to understand what comes next.

The Ride Up: Valsassina Stops and Lake Como Views from the Road

After pickup, you’ll head toward the foothills with a few planned breaks so the journey doesn’t feel like a long transfer. The schedule includes:

• A Valsassina photo stop (about 10 minutes)
• A scenic drive (about 20 minutes)

On the drive, you get dramatic sights over Lake Como—plus smaller details that make the trip feel local. Think half-abandoned churches, orchard areas, and glimpses of how people shape the land up here. It’s the kind of drive where you’ll want to keep your camera handy, because the scenery shifts fast as you gain elevation.

A heads-up: the best moments often happen when the guide tells you where to stand or how to angle your photos. So don’t treat it like a silent car ride. Show up ready to look out the window and step out when they pause.

The Walk to the Viewpoints: Forest Footsteps and a Changing Perspective

Once you arrive near the foothills, you leave the car and follow your guide on foot. The plan calls for about a 40-minute walk to the viewpoint(s), described as a short forest walk with Lake Como visible from above.

This is where the day earns its magic. At street level, Lake Como can look postcard perfect. Up here, it’s more real—tight curves of shoreline, villages clinging to slopes, and a sense of scale that makes the lake feel bigger than you remembered.

Because you’re walking through open-air terrain, comfortable shoes matter. The walk isn’t presented as a rugged trek, but you are on foot for a meaningful stretch, and the ground can be uneven. If you’re used to city sandals, swap those out for something stable.

Your Picnic in the Alps: What’s in the Basket and Why It Works

Now the payoff: the picnic itself lasts about 1.5 hours, and it’s set up at a secluded spot with impressive views. You’ll see an atmosphere that feels elegant but relaxed—plus light music in the background, so you’re not stuck in total silence with just your thoughts and wind.

What’s included in the picnic basket

You’ll get a basket that includes local items such as:

• Meat
• Cheese
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Light snacks
• Water
• Wine

In practice, the spread can include classic local extras like bread, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, and the cheeses can be a major highlight. This is one of those meals where you’ll understand why people plan food around the region instead of around convenience.

Why the food tastes better here

High on the mountains, you’re not distracted by traffic, crowds, or restaurant noise. You’re focused on three things at once:

1. the view,
2. the breeze and changing light,
3. the flavors that come from nearby valleys.

The guides also explain the stories behind the producers and farmers of the region. That matters, because it turns the meal into more than an assembly of bites. You’re not just eating; you’re connecting a taste to a place.

A small practical note

Because it’s open-air and you’re eating outdoors, pack your attention for weather. If clouds roll in, you’ll still have the picnic, but the views can soften. On clearer days, the scenery can get intense—some days even allow sightlines that reach as far as Lake Lugano in Switzerland.

The Traditional Village Stroll: A Slower Ending Back Near Town

After the picnic, you shift gears with a traditional village walk (about 20 minutes) before returning to the meeting point in Varenna A Lago.

This part is a nice counterweight to the mountain segment. You’ve already done the walking and eating with big views, so this stroll is lighter, more about atmosphere and photos: old-town corners, local textures, and the feeling of being back in human-scale places.

If you like a day that alternates between scenic stops and real-life wander time, this village leg is worth paying attention to. It keeps the day from feeling like only a scenic detour.

Transportation and Timing: How the 4 Hours Feels

The total duration is 4 hours, and the timing is built around momentum:

• quick photo stop(s),
• a drive up,
• a long-ish viewpoint walk,
• a long picnic,
• a short village wander,
• back to Varenna.

The “duration” sounds short on paper, but the schedule packs in a lot of changing scenery. The walk blocks and picnic time balance each other. You’ll likely feel pleasantly tired by the end, in the good way.

Also, this is designed for a small group (up to 8 participants), so you’re not stuck in a huge line waiting for the next photo stop. That matters when you’re trying to enjoy quiet views rather than fight for space.

Languages: A Guide Who Can Meet You Where You Are

The experience includes a live tour guide available in Italian, English, and Russian. This is useful because the day isn’t only visual; the guide is also explaining local producers, farmers, and how the regional foods connect to place.

If you’re traveling solo, I find a multilingual guide helpful because you can follow the story without relying on guesswork. If you’re traveling with friends, it also keeps everyone included even if your group has mixed language comfort.

Price and Value: Is $163.13 Worth It?

At $163.13 per person, you’re paying for more than a picnic blanket and a few bites. Here’s what’s actually in the value math, based on what’s included:

• Roundtrip transportation from Varenna
• Entry tickets (included)
• Picnic basket with meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, light snacks
• Water and wine
• A guide for the full experience
• The structure of a high-view mountain day that includes walking and stops

When you compare this to piecing it together yourself—transport to a remote spot, a prepared picnic, and a guided context for local food—the price starts to make sense. You’re buying an organized route with a strong “view + food + story” payoff.

Is it inexpensive? No. But it’s also not priced like an urban restaurant lunch. For people who want a memorable Lake Como-alps moment without spending half the day figuring logistics, it’s a solid value.

Who This Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This experience fits best if you:

• want Lake Como views without big crowds,
• like a day that includes a manageable walk plus a long picnic break,
• enjoy local food from nearby valleys such as Valtellina and Valsassina,
• appreciate a guide who explains what you’re eating and where it comes from.

It may not fit if you:

• have mobility impairments,
• don’t want outdoor walking time,
• prefer purely flat, fully accessible sightseeing.

A Few Practical Tips Before You Go

• Wear comfortable shoes. The day includes walking, including a 40-minute viewpoint walk.
• Bring a sun hat. You’re outside for a large chunk of the experience.
• Plan for open-air conditions. Even if the views are perfect, weather can change quickly.
• If you want the best photos, pay attention when the guide calls out viewpoint angles. The best shots often happen because you’re standing where you’re supposed to stand.

Should You Book This Varenna Alps Picnic?

If you’re staying around Varenna and you want one standout “Lake Como, but from above” experience, I think this is a strong choice. The mix of quiet mountain scenery, a secluded picnic setup, and a food spread grounded in the local valleys makes it feel like an actual regional day, not a tourist version of one.

Book it if you’re comfortable walking for the viewpoint segment and you want a meal that’s part of the experience. Skip it if walking outdoors is a deal-breaker for you.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the picnic experience in Varenna?

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

How long does the Varenna Alps picnic last?

The experience lasts about 4 hours.

Is this a small-group activity?

Yes. It’s limited to a small group of up to 8 participants.

What’s included with the picnic?

Roundtrip transportation from Varenna, entry tickets, a picnic basket with meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, light snacks, plus water and wine.

What languages will the live guide speak?

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

How much walking is involved?

There is a walk to the viewpoint (about 40 minutes) and a walk in a traditional village (about 20 minutes). The experience also takes place outdoors.

Is the experience suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No, it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and a sun hat.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.