Sorico: Wetlands, birdlife and historic routes

When looking for a hotel in Sorico, the kind of stay you want can make all the difference: you might focus on the Pian di Spagna – Lago di Mezzola wetlands, birdlife, sacred art or historic routes. Sorico offers several ways to explore these themes. Before booking, you can consider whether you are especially interested in the landscape, church art or historic routes. The following places and route descriptions show how these interests differ.

Wetlands and birdwatching

The Pian di Spagna – Lago di Mezzola Nature Reserve was established to provide migratory birds with a safe place to rest and nest. It also protects the landscape and natural features of the wetlands. A viewpoint in the reserve can be reached via a short path. From there, you can enjoy views across much of the area and observe numerous waterbirds at close range. This lets you take in the landscape as a whole while also watching its waterbirds.

Environmental education activities and age-appropriate learning trails for groups and schools are organized at Cascina Poncetta. This adds an educational dimension to exploring the natural area: the viewpoint focuses on scenery and birdwatching, while Cascina Poncetta focuses on environmental education and learning trails. These different emphases can help you decide which interests to pursue during your stay.

Churches and traces of history

The Church of San Miro stands on a plateau on the slopes of Monte Berlinghera and offers views of Sorico and the lake. A short mule track connects it to the historic Via Regina. The church preserves a rich fresco decoration created in several phases beginning in 1452. The church’s setting, views and frescoes each offer a distinct point of interest: its position in the landscape, its views of Sorico and the lake, and its decoration, created over time.

The Church of Santo Stefano in Sorico can also be understood through its building history. It was built in 1443 and substantially altered at the beginning of the 18th century. By contrast, the fresco decoration created in several phases is a particular highlight of San Miro. The Romanesque San Fedelino temple stands on the western shore of Lago di Mezzola and is traditionally dated to the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries. The churches and temple therefore offer different historical points of interest: frescoes, construction and alteration, and the traditional dating of a Romanesque religious building.

Routes and getting your bearings

Near Sorico, the Mera River flows into Lake Como, with Monte Legnone visible in the background. These landscape features help you get your bearings in the local area. The routes can also be distinguished by their respective features: the Via Regina section from Sorico to Gera Lario and Aurogna follows paths, paved mule tracks and asphalt roads, and at times passes through town streets. The surfaces therefore vary along this section.

The Via dei Monti Lariani follows the western shore of Lake Como as far as Sorico. While the description of the Via Regina section covers the towns of Gera Lario and Aurogna as well as a variety of surfaces, the Via dei Monti Lariani is defined by its route along the western shore to Sorico. These differences can help you decide whether you are more interested in a historic route with changing surfaces or a lakeside route. Sorico can thus be explored as a destination through specific nature, culture and route themes before you look for a hotel for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Lurago D'erba, Trezzone, Musso, Montorfano, Merone, Carlazzo, Cima Di Porlezza, Griante

For the main travel overview: Como.