Orrido di Nesso (Ponte del lago)
Looking for breathtaking scenery and charming Italian architecture along Italy's Lake Como? Look no further than the iconic Orrido di Nesso waterfall trail and the historic Ponte del Lago bridge. This walk is one of the best things to do in Nesso, Lake Como.This short, but moderate 0.8 km (0.5 mile) out-and-back walk leads visitors down to the ultra-scenic Ponte del Lago (Lake Bridge) where you'll find a stone footbridge that spans the mouth of Orrido di Nesso. Visitors will find quaint, charming Italian architecture, a large waterfall in the gorge, beautiful views of Lago di Como (Lake Como), and swimming opportunities at Ponte del Lago (Lake Bridge).
Explore the Charming Orrido di Nesso at Lake Como
The short walk to Orrido di Nesso starts in the heart of Nesso, Italy located on the east side of Lake Como (Lago di Como). After finding a place to park your vehicle (if applicable), the trailhead can be found in the small parking lot just downhill from Via Borgonuovo, at the parking coordinates provided. Note: While the distance is only 0.8 km (0.5 miles) round trip, the descent/ascent is steep, making it a moderate difficulty walk.Trail to Orrido di Nesso with Lake Como Views
The trail starts by following a stone pathway that quickly leads downhill toward the shoreline of Lago di Como. On the way, you'll find beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding southern Alps mountains that tower overhead. The trail leads visitors past a small shrine to a patron saint before passing residences and more, obstructed views of the lake. Eventually, the trail becomes more steep as it plunges down to reach the waters of Lake Como. Simply follow the brown signs labeled "Orrido di Nesso".The Iconic Viewpoint: Ponte del Lago (Lake Bridge)
Visitors will pass a charming, lakeside Italian home with a stunning view of Lago di Como near 0.33 km before taking a right-hand turn at the last "Orrido di Nesso" sign. Keep-right along the path as the trail leads you directly to stairs that end in Lake Como. Here, you'll find a breathtaking view of the mouth of Orrido di Nesso, with the scenic stone footbridge of Ponte del Lago nestled between two quaint buildings. This viewpoint, likely one of the best views along Lake Como, provides visitors with opportunities to enjoy stunning architecture along the lake's shoreline, a perfect spot for photography! If you show up on a hot day, you may even find visitors jumping into Lake Como from the scenic Ponte del Lago (Lake Bridge).Orrido di Nesso and Waterfalls
After enjoying the views of Ponte del Lago, now you can go walk across the bridge to take in the scenery of Orrido di Nesso (Nesso Gorge) that you came here for! Follow the path as it leads through a tunnel, under the charming Italian home, to reach the stone footbridge of Orrido di Nesso—Ponte del Lago. From Ponte del Lago, the eastward view into Orrido di Nesso is unmatched along the shores of Lake Como. In the far reaches of the gorge, a large 30 m (100 feet) tall waterfall plummets into Orrido di Nesso from above. Ferns, mosses, flowering plants, and vines grow along the gorge walls, which add to the breathtaking scenery. In the foreground, a charming Italian home sits along the gorge with vines that cling to its vibrant yellow paint. The view here, again, is simply unmatched along Lake Como.Best Photo Spot: South View of Ponte del Lago
Before you leave, one of the best views along Lake Como is the southern side of Ponte del Lago (Lake Bridge). After taking in the views of Orrido di Nesso, simply take a few more steps down the bridge to reach a viewpoint on the south side of the gorge's mouth. Here, the trail simply ends, but the view of Ponte del Lago, the surrounding Italian homes, and lush gorge greenery is one of the best scenic views at Lago di Como. If you plan to visit Orrido di Nesso, you should not skip this viewpoint!Return Hike: Orrido di Nesso to Parking
The last part of exploring Orrido di Nesso is the hike back to parking. While getting to the gorge is an easy downhill walk, the journey back is more of a short, but moderate hike uphill. Walk through the tunnel to reach the main trail, then follow the path as it traverses cobblestone back to the parking lot and trailhead. Wrap up the hike at the trailhead near 0.8 km (0.5 miles).Swimming at Orrido di Nesso
The footbridge that spans the gorge, also known as Ponte del Lago, is the perfect place to jump into Lake Como for a swim if you're looking to cool off on a hot day. The town of Nesso provides swimming barriers for visitors who wish to wade in the lake's waters or jump in from the stone footbridge. It's a great way to cool down or enjoy one of the most scenic locations along Lago di Como while swimming through its crystal-clear waters. Swim at your own risk.Parking & Directions: How to Get to Orrido di Nesso (READ BEFORE DRIVING!)
Visitors to Lake Como will find narrow, bustling streets that are difficult to drive through and are not for the faint of heart; however, for travelers that plan to drive through and around Lake Como, there are at least two parking lots near the trailhead for Orrido di Nesso. The parking coordinates in this guide will bring you to a very-small parking lot at the coordinates: 45.914042, 9.154031 which is located down a steep hill — note a potential hairpin turn to enter if driving up from the south. This parking lot is large enough to fit no more than 6 or 7 vehicles as of September 2025. On the main road, Via Borgonuovo, there's another small parking lot on the west side of the road just uphill from the coordinates provided. That separate parking lot is large enough to fit approximately 6 - 7 vehicles as well. Parking spaces often fill up very early and the lack of space available makes getting in/out of these parking lots challenging, so beware. During our visit, we got very lucky in the early evening to find just 1 open parking space here.I highly recommend not driving to Orrido di Nesso if you can help it. A taxi, public transportation, an Uber/Lyft, or even a water taxi is the easiest way to get to the trailhead, since you don't need to deal with the crazy driving around Lake Como, the small number of parking spaces, the potential to not be able to park, or the sheer space provided to turn around in these tiny parking lots. Plan your trip accordingly!
