A picnic with panoramic Lake Como views. You ride up from Varenna into the foothills, then do a short forest walk to a high viewpoint where you get an Alps-surrounded Lake Como panorama plus a local picnic basket loaded with regional favorites. My only heads-up is simple: this is an open-air experience with walking on uneven ground, so plan for it with comfortable shoes.

I like that it stays a small-group affair, capped at 8, so you actually chat instead of just posing for photos. You meet at Piazza Martiri at the pier by Hotel Olivedo, look for the Picnickle sign, and then the day unfolds at a relaxed pace with a mix of scenic stops and time to linger.

Key highlights you will feel right away

• A high viewpoint, far from crowds: You get dramatic Lake Como views without fighting through tour-bus chaos
• Real regional food, not generic picnic stuff: Meat, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, plus water and wine
• A forest walk that doubles as a scenic intro: about 40 minutes with overlooks as you go
• Guide-led stories about local producers: you hear what makes the products from the Valtellina and Valsassina valleys
• Stops that keep the drive interesting: a photo stop in Valsassina and time to soak in the scenery

From Piazza Martiri to the foothills: the start that sets the tone

The day starts at Piazza Martiri, right at the pier by Hotel Olivedo. You’ll find the meetup by looking for the Picnickle sign, which keeps things easy even if you’re arriving by ferry. From there, you board a vehicle that takes you up into the mountains.

What I love about this setup is how quickly it changes your “Lake Como day” from sitting lakeside to actually getting above it. In a small group (limited to 8), the guide can manage the pace and help you time your photos, without feeling rushed. It is also a handy way to cover the “how do I get there?” problem that pops up when you want viewpoints that are not right on the main promenade.

If you want a relaxed half-day, this fits. If you hate walking, it is not for you, because there’s a forest segment and a village stroll later. Still, the walking is not described as a long trek, it’s more like a scenic pause built into the day.

The Valsassina photo stop: a quick breather with real perspective

One of the first scheduled moments is a photo stop in Valsassina, about 10 minutes. It’s short, but it matters. That early stop helps you understand what “foothills of the Alps” means in this area, because the slopes start to frame the lake long before you reach the highest picnic viewpoint.

This is also where you feel the difference between being down at lake level and being on the edge of the mountains. You stop, take a few shots, and then get back into the ride feeling like you’re climbing toward something. The timing is sensible, so you are not already exhausted before the guided walk.

Practical tip: treat this stop as your chance to grab sunscreen, a quick water sip, and a last look at where you started. From there, the day shifts into “trust the guide, enjoy the view.”

Scenic drive over Lake Como: time for half-abandoned churches and orchards

After Valsassina, the drive continues with scenic breaks, including around 20 minutes of Lake Como sightseeing time from the vehicle. Along the way, you’ll pass dramatic scenery, orchards, and even half-abandoned churches. The point is not just sightseeing from a window, it is building anticipation.

You start noticing how the coastline changes as elevation rises. Lake Como stops looking like one simple body of water and starts looking like a set of dramatic bends and valleys. That’s why I think the car portion is actually valuable, it gives your legs a rest while you still get the “wow” factor early.

If the weather is cloudy, it can still be worth it, because you are not only chasing sunshine. Guides can adjust the flow so you still get meaningful scenery and the picnic experience at the right moment.

The forest walk and viewpoints: what that 40 minutes is really like

Once you reach the higher area, you leave the vehicle and join the guide for a walk through a forest corridor. The time on the walk is listed as 40 minutes. In practice, this is the segment that turns the trip from a drive plus lunch into an actual experience.

You are walking with Lake Como views from above, which means your attention stays split between your footing and the scenery ahead. The trail is described as walkable in the feedback, but it is still outdoors, so wear shoes with grip and skip anything too slippery. If you only bring sandals, you’ll feel it by the time you reach the viewpoint.

This is also where the guide’s role becomes clear. You’re not just walking to a photo spot, you’re learning what you’re seeing. The route is framed with stops and explanations about local producers and the people who farm these valleys. That context makes the picnic portion feel more connected, because you understand where the flavors come from.

Pro tip: bring a sun hat even if it looks mild in Varenna. The climb is above the lake, and daylight can hit hard at higher elevations.

The picnic viewpoint: where the Alps meet Valtellina and Valsassina

The main event is a secluded picnic location at the foothills, set away from crowds. You get about 1.5 hours here, and the vibe is intentional: light music in the background, an elegant setup, and a view that does not feel like it’s meant for constant foot traffic.

The picnic basket is the heart of the value. Included are meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, light snacks, water, and wine. You also learn the stories behind these flavors and the farmers behind them, which is a big difference from buying lunch and eating it while staring at your screen.

From the feedback, I’d expect a spread that feels generous and regionally themed. Guests mention beautifully presented cheeses and meats, plus local fruits and breads. Some describe extras like olives and sun-dried tomatoes, so the basket can go beyond only the headline items, but the overall theme stays consistent: regional, freshly prepared, and meant to taste as good as it looks.

The setup itself gets love in the reviews. People talk about blankets and cushions placed so you can actually relax, not just stand there eating with cold drinks in hand. If you’ve ever had a picnic where you spend half your time adjusting bags and searching for the napkins, this setup is designed to reduce the hassle and let you focus on the moment.

What about the view? This is the part that gets people. Guests describe Lake Como panorama from high up, with some mentioning the possibility of seeing Lake Lugano in Switzerland on clear days. Even if the horizon is partly covered by clouds, you still get that layered, mountain-and-lake feeling that makes the day feel special.

Important reality check: this is open air. If wind picks up or temperatures drop, you’ll feel it. Bring a layer if you tend to get chilly. The experience does not claim to be indoors, so dress like you’re going to a hillside viewpoint, not a café.

Traditional village stroll: a slower ending near the water

After the picnic, you head to a traditional village for a walk, about 20 minutes. The walking here is meant to be light and scenic, more of a cultural exhale than a workout. You get to see a bit of how daily life looks when you’re not only stuck at lake level.

This stop also helps break up the rhythm of the day. You spent time climbing, then you lingered at the picnic viewpoint, and now you come back toward a more human scale. The village walk gives you a change of pace before you return.

If you’re the type who loves small details, this is where you can spot local architecture and village streets without needing a full museum visit. It’s a short stop, so don’t expect a deep dive. Think of it as a pleasant add-on that rounds out the Alps-and-lake theme.

Price and value: what you are paying for at $163.13 per person

At $163.13 per person, this is not a budget lunch. But it is priced like an experience, not a grocery picnic.

Here’s where the value comes from:

• Transport from Varenna to higher viewpoints, so you do not need to figure out roads or parking
• A guided experience with stories about local producers and what you’re eating
• A full picnic package, including meat, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, light snacks, plus water and wine
• A small group, which usually means more attention, less crowd pressure, and a better atmosphere at the viewpoint

If you compare it to the cost of renting a car, paying for parking, and assembling a picnic with wine on your own, it can start to look reasonable. You’re paying for access to the exact kind of high, secluded setting that is hard to reproduce on your own without local knowledge.

Time matters too. The total duration is about 4 hours, so it works well as a one-day highlight without eating your whole day. In a place like Lake Como, where you can easily burn time on logistics, that efficiency is part of the value.

Who this fits best, and who should think twice

This works best for you if you want:

• A small-group day with a real guide and a relaxed pace
• A picnic that feels specifically local, with Valtellina and Valsassina products
• Views that are high above the lake, plus time to actually sit, eat, and take pictures
• A break from the busiest lake promenades

It is not ideal if you have mobility impairments, because it is not listed as suitable for that. It also takes place in open air, so you should plan for outdoor conditions and walking segments, including the forest walk and the village stroll.

If you’re traveling with kids, it might still work depending on their comfort with walking and uneven ground. If you have a stroller, that’s a question you’d need to ask directly, because the walk is described as a forest route and the activity is not marked as stroller-friendly.

The guide experience: why Maria and the team shape the day

The biggest recurring theme is the guide. Multiple guides are mentioned in feedback, including Maria, Yuri, Roman, and Mariia. Regardless of the name, the pattern is the same: guides help you feel welcomed, keep the pace comfortable, and share context that makes the food and views feel connected.

Maria, in particular, shows up in reviews with praise for being friendly, informative, and attentive. Guests also mention how weather can change the day, and how guides still make it memorable. That matters in Lake Como, because even when the forecast looks good, mountains can rearrange the cloud cover fast.

The guide also handles the flow of the day: meeting point clarity, car stops, the forest walk rhythm, and the picnic setup. When that coordination is good, you spend energy enjoying the views, not figuring out what comes next.

Should you book the Varenna Alps picnic with Picnickle?

Book it if you want a half-day in the Lake Como area that feels more like a local outing than a standard sightseeing loop. The combination of transport, a small group, a real picnic basket, and a high viewpoint far from crowds is the winning mix. For $163.13 per person, you are essentially buying three things: access, guidance, and a prepared meal with wine in a top-tier setting.

Skip it if you hate walking or you need fully accessible routes. Also skip it if your idea of vacation is “sit indoors and order food.” This one is outdoors, with a couple of walk segments and a viewpoint where you’ll feel the elements.

If you want quiet, scenic time with food that actually tastes tied to the region, this is an easy yes.