Practical information
Everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Addresses and Directions
Piazza San Giorgio, 23822 Bellano, 10 minutes from Varenna
My tip: Free parking near the cemetery (access via a flight of stairs from downtown Bellano—about 10 minutes)
Prices and Reservations
- Full price: €11.50
- Free: Ages 0–5
Schedule and Duration
- High season: June 1 through September 30, daily: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Off-season: 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. (check your ticket for specific times)
Why visit the Bellano Gorge?
The Orrido di Bellano is a natural gorge carved out about 1.5 million years ago by the Pioverna stream and the Adda Glacier.
Over time, water has carved through the rock, creating cavities, potholes, narrow passages, and several waterfalls. Part of this canyon is now accessible via a network of footbridges attached directly to the rock walls.
It is above all this proximity to the water that makes the visit worthwhile.
We thought it was pretty cool to actually be able to go inside the canyon, rather than just looking at it from a lookout point.
The sound of the waterfalls, the humidity, the vegetation-covered walls, and the light that struggles to penetrate certain passages give the place a rather unique atmosphere.
The contrast with the rest of the lake is also quite striking. If you spend several days in the region exploring the villages and villas, the Orrido offers a brief respite in nature that’s very different from the more traditional sightseeing.
What is the tour of the Orrido di Bellano like?
The entrance is located in Piazza San Giorgio, in the center of Bellano. Once your ticket has been checked, the trail quickly leads to the footbridges spanning the stream.
There isn’t really a specific route to plan. Just follow the path as it gradually winds its way into the gorge. The footbridges run along the rock face and offer views of the torrent from different angles.
In some places, the two walls close in very tightly, and you find yourself almost enclosed in the middle of the canyon. In other places, the view opens up to reveal the waterfalls and various rock formations.
The trail has been extended over the years, and today it leads to a large waterfall located further upstream. In our opinion, this is the most spectacular part of the tour (though it’s worth noting that the water flow is quite low in the middle of summer).
Ca’ del Diavol, the Devil’s House
At the entrance to the gorge, it’s hard to miss the Ca’ del Diavol, literally the “Devil’s House.” This strange three-story pentagonal tower stands directly above the stream.
Its exact origin remains unknown, although its existence has been documented since the early17th century. Its name derives in part from the mythological figures and the depiction of the devil visible in the upper part of the building, around which numerous local legends have developed.
You can visit the Ca’ del Diavol along with the Orrido using a combined ticket. If you’re short on time, however, we’d recommend focusing on the gorges themselves.
How much time should I allow for a visit to the Bellano Gorges?
The trail isn’t very long. You should generally allow 30 to 45 minutes to take your time exploring the Orrido di Bellano, stopping along the way at the various footbridges.
It’s precisely this relatively short duration that makes it easy to fit this visit into an itinerary around the lake. For example, you could spend the morning in Bellano before continuing on to Varenna.
Last admission is 20 minutes before closing. If you’re traveling during the off-season, we recommend checking the hours a few days before your visit.
When is the best time to visit the gorges?
If you’re visiting in July or August, we recommend going early in the morning. The walkways are relatively narrow, and the visit is much more enjoyable when there are fewer people.
Spring and fall are also good times to explore Bellano. The torrent’s flow obviously depends on rainfall, so the atmosphere in the canyon can be very different after a rainy spell or after several particularly dry weeks.
To help you choose the best time to visit more generally, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the weather at Lake Como and the best time to go. And if you’re planning an off-season trip, check out all our tips for visiting Lake Como in winter.
Can you visit the Bellano Gorges with children?
Yes. The official website describes the trail as easy and suitable for everyone. The footbridges are well-maintained and allow visitors to explore the gorge without any special equipment.
However, you’ll need to be mindful of stairs and narrow passages. Therefore, strollers and prams are not allowed inside the Orrido. If you’re traveling with a baby or a young child who isn’t yet walking well enough, you should bring a baby carrier instead.
Since the trail is wet in places, it’s also a good idea to wear shoes that stay securely on your feet.
Can you visit the gorges with a dog?
Yes, dogs of all sizes are allowed in the Orrido di Bellano. However, they are not allowed in the Ca’ del Diavol.
How do I get to the Bellano Gorges?
Bellano is located on the eastern shore of Lake Como, north of Varenna. The entrance to the gorge is on Piazza San Giorgio, in the center of the village.
From Varenna
Bellano and Varenna are very close to each other. Both villages are served by the train line that runs along the east shore of the lake, making it easy to visit both in a single day without a car.
If you’ve rented a car, the two villages are only 10 minutes apart.
If you’re planning this day trip, check out all our favorite spots and tours in our article on Varenna on Lake Como.
Where can I park in Bellano?
As you know, we always try to prioritize free parking, even though it’s becoming quite rare around Lake Como. To visit the Orrido di Bellano, we therefore recommend the parking lot at the Bellano cemetery, located on Via Villaggio Giardino. It’s free and is about a 10-minute walk from the entrance to the gorge. View the parking lot on Google Maps
From the parking lot, you can reach downtown Bellano via a flight of stairs leading down to the village. You’ll have to walk back up them on the way back, of course, but it’s still a very convenient option to avoid having to search for a parking spot in the narrow streets of downtown.
You’ll also find a few parking spots closer to Piazza San Giorgio, but there are fewer of them and they fill up faster, especially during peak season.
Then explore the area around the lake
To continue your journey to the other villages, you can combine train, car, and boat travel. The boat is a particularly good option in the central part of the lake around Varenna, Menaggio, and Bellagio. We explain the different options in our guide to boating on Lake Como.
What is there to do in Bellano after visiting the gorges?
It would be a shame to leave right after the tour. Bellano is much less well-known than Bellagio or Varenna, but the village is worth a short stroll.
From the Orrido, head toward the town center, then stroll leisurely down to the lungolago, the lakeside promenade (this is the must-do activity in every village). You can enjoy the view of the mountains and continue on to the various small beaches in Bellano.
We’ve actually chosen Bellano Beach as one of our favorite beaches on Lake Como. It’s a pretty little cove made up mostly of pebbles, set apart from the lake’s tourist area—a pleasant spot to end the day in the summer. You’ll find its location, along with all our other recommendations, in our selection of the 15 most beautiful beaches on Lake Como.
You can then continue on to Varenna, located further south, or head back up to the villages on the northern shore of the lake if you have more time.
Where to stay in Bellano?
We recommend staying in Varenna, though Bellano can also be a good option if you’d like to stay on the eastern shore of the lake while remaining close to Varenna. The village is less well-known and offers a different atmosphere from the main tourist destinations in the center of the lake.
To help you compare the different villages before booking, we’ve also put together a comprehensive guide to where to stay on Lake Como. And if you’d rather stay surrounded by nature, check out our selection of the best campgrounds on Lake Como.
How can I include Bellano in an itinerary around Lake Como?
In our opinion, it isn’t necessary to spend an entire day at the Bellano Gorges. The appeal lies precisely in combining them with other stops along the eastern shore.
Bellano and Varenna in One Day
This is the most logical combination. Start with the Orrido di Bellano in the morning, then take a stroll through the village, and finally head to Varenna (our favorite village on Lake Como) to spend the rest of the day.
In Varenna, you can explore the old town, the lakeside promenade, Villa Monastero, and—if you still have some energy left—hike up to Vezio Castle.
Bellano, Varenna, and Bellagio
If you have a busy day, you can also add Bellagio to your itinerary. The best way to do this is to head to the center of the lake and take the ferry to cross from one shore to the other.
If you’re only staying in the area for a few days, our itinerary for a weekend on Lake Como will help you plan your various stops without spending your entire trip on the road.
For a longer stay
If you have three days or more, you can explore this part of the lake, including Lecco to the southeast, and then spend another day on the western shore.
On the other side of the lake, don’t miss the Villa del Balbianello in Lenno. It’s one of our favorite villas and also one of the Star Wars filming locations on Lake Como.
Finally, be sure to set aside some time to visit the city of Como, especially its historic center, the Duomo, and the lakefront.
Is it worth visiting the Bellano Gorge?
Yes, especially if your itinerary already takes you through Varenna or along the eastern shore of Lake Como.
The Orrido di Bellano isn’t a sightseeing stop that requires setting aside a whole half-day. On the contrary, it’s a fairly short stop that’s easy to fit in between visits to two villages, and it offers a chance to discover a landscape that’s completely different from the rest of the lake.
After passing by the villas, harbors, and colorful alleyways, you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a canyon with suspension bridges spanning the torrent, waterfalls, and towering rock faces. It is this diversity that, in our opinion, makes this leg of the journey so interesting.
We recommend setting aside about an hour for the gorges, then a little extra time to explore Bellano before continuing on to Varenna or to the northern part of the lake.
To finish planning your trip, check out all our tips, itineraries, and recommended spots in our section dedicated to Lake Como.
We wish you an excellent trip! Don’t hesitate to drop us a line below to let us know if you’re planning this trip, ask any questions you may have or share on social networks, our Instagram, we’ll get back to you with great pleasure.
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