The old railway Menaggio – Porlezza

by SabrinaPiazzoli on 17 May 2021

An interesting and curious part of history in the area of Menaggio: the old railway Menaggio – Porlezza, a line which connected the two towns. From there, then the tourists were going to Lugano by boat.

The service begun in 1884, when it comes clear in minds the utility of a connection between the European Countries and the beautiful lakes of the Alpine region. The period was the one of  the development of the railways.

For the reasons above, this public transportation between Menaggio and Porlezza has been created. A short way of about 12km with a very interesting characteristic: the route has a difference in altitude over seventy meters. Moreover, between the two points there is another obstacle, the charming lago del Piano, so that it was necessary to find a way to bypass it.

Unfortunately, the first world war first and the arrival of the buses then, together with other events, contributed to the soppression of the railway.

A particular mention  to the station of Menaggio, which is still architecturally present and refurbished.

Today the railway has been recovered and transformed in a pedestrian and cycling path, utilised by numerous tourists and residents. This route goes through the towns of Grandola ed Uniti, Bene Lario, Tavordo and Porlezza, tracing after almost a century the path of the train.

An ideal route for families and hiking lovers, it offers charming spots on lake Como at the beginning, then on lake of Piano and at the end of Porlezza and Lugano lake.

A suggestive route to spend some relaxing time in this beautiful area.