Walk “In the footsteps of Don Luigi Guanella”: 120 km through Valtellina, Lario, and spirituality
A staged route through the provinces of Sondrio and Como, retracing the key places of the life and work of Don Luigi Guanella. In the article, you will find all the information on the route, the stages, the meditative paths, the signage, and how to organize the walk.

Path "In the footsteps of Don Luigi Guanella"

A spiritual and cultural itinerary between the provinces of Sondrio and Como

The Path "In the footsteps of Don Luigi Guanella" is a route of about 120 km, divided into 7 stages, connecting Fraciscio, the saint's birthplace, to Como, the city where he completed his mission. The trail follows ancient communication routes such as the Via Spluga, Via Bregaglia, Via Francisca, and Via Regina, passing through significant places in the life and work of Don Guanella.

📌 General Information

• Total length: about 120 km
• Total elevation gain: about 5,960 m
• Route: 35% on paths or mule tracks
• Accessibility: year-round, suitable for walkers with a minimum of training
• Signage: present along the entire route giovaniguanelliani.it

🗺️ The 7 stages of the Guanellian path

1. Campodolcino – Fraciscio – Gualdera – Gallivaggio

• Key locations: Birthplace of Don Guanella in Fraciscio, Gualdera (place of his first communion), Sanctuary of Gallivaggio
• Notes: Initial stage that touches the places of the saint's childhood and vocation

2. Gallivaggio – Olmo – Chiavenna – Prosto – Savogno – Chiavenna

• Key locations: Church of the Holy Trinity in Olmo, Chiavenna, Prosto, village of Savogno
• Notes: Stage that crosses the places of Don Guanella's early pastoral activity

3. Chiavenna – Ponte del Passo – Traona

• Key locations: Ponte del Passo, Traona
• Notes: Transition stage towards Valtellina, with river and mountain landscapes

4. Traona – Nuova Olonio – Dongo – Musso – Pianello del Lario

• Key locations: Nuova Olonio (headquarters of the "Madonna del Lavoro" House), Dongo, Musso, Pianello del Lario
• Notes: Stage that follows in the footsteps of Don Guanella's educational and welfare work

5. Pianello del Lario – Menaggio – Tremezzo – Como

• Key locations: Menaggio, Tremezzo, Como
• Notes: Final stage that leads to the city where Don Guanella ended his mission

🧭 Meditative paths

In addition to the main route, there are six "meditative paths" in significant locations of Don Guanella's life, each accompanied by panels with quotes from the saint:

1. Fraciscio – Gualdera
2. Olmo
3. Traona
4. Nuova Olonio, "Madonna del Lavoro" House
5. Pianello del Lario, Camlago hamlet
6. Lora, "Santa Maria della Provvidenza" House

🗺️ How to get there

• By car: from Milan, follow the SS36 to Colico, then the SS37 to Chiavenna
• By train: Milan-Lecco-Colico-Chiavenna line