Ten Best Free Things To Do Lake Iseo
I live near Lake Iseo and have a small apartment there with a beautiful view of the lake which I rent during the summer so this isn't the usual trip report, more a compendium of the best things to do, together with Advice for visiting Lake Iseo.
Do you enjoy reading mystery stories set in your holiday destination?
This new cosy mystery "She Left No Note" set around Lake Iseo is now out on Amazon
So, that's the only advertising you'll ever find on this blog....but this is our blog and they're our activities, so I think I'm allowed, for once! But now, what are the best things to do around Lake Iseo?
1. Visit Monte Isola (literally the mountain island).
Cost: price of ferry ticket
Why? Because it’s unique, the largest lake island in Europe, and also one of the “Borghi Più Belli d’Italia”.
How? By ferry. The larger ferry that covers the whole lake, so from Iseo or Lovere, for example. Or the shuttle ferries between Sulzano and Peschiera Maraglio or Sale Marasino and Carzano. Timetable here.
What?
Very relaxing: wander around Peschiera Maraglio and stroll along the sunny side of the island, through the olive groves to Sensole for a coffee or lunch, sitting on the lakeside or sunbathing on the way. Picnic area with access to the lake. (About 2 km).
Walking: walk all around the island (about 9 km). There’s a village where you can find food and drink in every corner – so in Peschiera Maraglio, Sensole, Siviano and Carzano and an altitude of 600 metres. (Or hire a bike).
Hiking: hike up to Madonna della Ceriola (600m a.s.l.) following the signs from Peschiera Maraglio or Carzano, come down the other side and complete part of walk around the island to get back to your starting point. Splendid view of the lake. Refreshments and picnic area.
Special events: every five years the small hamlet of Carzano hosts the feast of the Holy Cross when it is entirely decorated with thousands of paper flowers.
2. Vello – Toline pedestrian and cycle path
How? Park in Vello (pay), or above on the main road (limited spaces, partly pay) or start from Marone where parking is easier.
What? Half-day trip: walk along the path, or in Vello you can hire a bike. Panoramic views of the lake and the ravine of Bogn di Castro. It’s about 4 kilometres between Vello and Toline. Refreshments available in both hamlets but only in season.
Whole day trip: leave your car in Marone, walk from Marone to Pisogne (it’s an easy walk, all on the flat 9/10km), have lunch in Pisogne (large choice of places to eat to suit all budgets), explore Pisogne (Piazza Corna Pellegrini with arches, Bishop’s Tower (follow the signs even when it looks like you’re entering in a tunnel to a private house), 15th century Church of Santa Maria della Neve or del Romanino with a series of frescoes dedicated to the Passion of Christ, also called the “Sistine Chapel of the Poor”, the Park behind the church, then take the train back to Marone.
3. Torbiere del Sebino Natural Reserve
How? There are three entrances. You pay two euros at the automatic machines at the entrance. Take the right change.
Iseo – near the visitor centre (park near the stadium but be very careful crossing the road);
Provaglio D’Iseo – near Monastery San Pietro in Lamosa; park the other side of the road
Corte Franca – near Infopoint, Via Segaboli, near car park Centro Commerciale “Le Torbiere”.
What? A pleasant walk in a figure of eight through countryside and wetlands and marshes. You can find the map here
The central part is the most interesting. At weekends and holiday times and high season the Monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa (11th century) is open (free because there are volunteers and is well worth a visit). Some magnificent views of the marsh with the monastery above. Go protected from mosquitos in the summer. Very nice in the autumn at sunset.
4. Big Benches on Lake Iseo
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| Thanks to Beate for the photo! |
Why? The “Big benches” are all with spectacular views of Lake Iseo, part of the “Big Bench Community Project” (BBCP) by the American artist/designer Chris Bangle.
Where?
- Grone – Colli di San Fermo Big Bench
How?
Easy: by car via the SP79, from Sarnico or Grone. At the church of San Fermo pass, follow the signs to Piazzale Virgo Fidelis, where you can park your car. The Big Bench is located behind the Bar Pizzeria al Colle.
Demanding :
– Italian alpine Club Path 613: Strada Verde Path, with an altitude difference of 1000mt.
– Italian alpine Club Path 614: from Sant’Antonio with a difference in height of 600 meters.
- Pilzone d’Iseo Big Bench
How? Park near Pilzone d'Iseo Cemetery follow the signs to San Fermo church, Pilzone d'Iseo (about 45 minutes with an altitude difference of 290m)
- Riva di Solto – Fonteno Big Bench
How? Park in Fonteno and follow the signs (about 30 minutes/2km with an altitude difference of 34m)
- Rogno Big Bench
How? Start in front of the cemetery of Piazze, follow the path (about 10 minutes of ascent/less than 1 km with an altitude difference of 85m)
- Sale Marasino Big Bench located in Maspiano (Sale Marasino with an altitude difference of 296m)
How? Walk up from the centre of Sale Marasino (about 3km/1 hr), or drive up to Maspiano and then follow the signs
5. Via Valeriana
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| Thanks to Beate for the photo! |
Why? The Antica Strada Valeriana (CAI path 291), was the only route along the eastern shore lake from Pilzone d’Iseo to Pisogne towards the Valle Camonica for hundreds of years. Spectacular views of Lake Iseo and the surrounding mountains. Churches, shrines and chapels.
What? Easy walk from Pilzone d’Iseo until Marone. Follow the yellow and brown signs along country lanes and trails, dirt tracks and paved roads with little traffic, amongst stone walls, olive groves and tiny hamlets with churches through the hamlets of Gazzane, Tassano, Maspiano, Gandizzano, Marasino, Conche, Distone, Dosso and Massenzano.
Hiking: From Marone the route climbs up between the villages of Vesto, Pregasso and Colpiano, towards Zone begins. On the way you can see the Erosion Pyramids, left by the glacier present during the Würm era. Continue through the hamlet of Cislano and the village of Zone until Croce di Zone (903 m). After Croce di Zone, it takes about an hour and a half to reach Pisogne. Return by train from Pisogne to your starting point.
6. Visit Brescia and Bergamo Cultural Capitals in 2023
Why? History, art, architecture, shopping, food.
7. Piramidi di Zone Regional Nature Reserve
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| Thanks to Enzo Bona for the photo! |
How? By car up from Marone (not recommeneded because the road is very narrow) or get off the SP520 following the signs for Zone (better). On foot from Marone following the Via Valeriana.
What? Free access, open to visitors all year round. Loop hiking trail (not suitable for children) with signs and explanations (medium difficulty) Near the entrance the church of Saint George, with the fresco of the dragon. Avoid wet conditions that make the path dangerous.
8. Visit the Franciacorta wine area.
9. Have a day in the mountains.
Why? On hot days, go up to Zone for a walk, stroll or just some fresh air.
How? By car up from Marone (not recommeneded because the road is very narrow) or get off the SP520 following the signs for Zone (better).
What? A stroll around the village or a big choice of hiking routes
Zone - Monte Guglielmo for Alpine Flowers in spring and spectacular views https://visitlakeiseo.info/sport-e-natura/trekking-da-zone-al-monte-guglielmo/
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| Thanks to Enzo Bona for the photo! |
10. Find a green beach and relax
Why? You’re on holiday! Find a green beach or a panoramic spot among the olive groves and relax.
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