There is a place, just over an hour from Milan, where the boundary between earth and sky seems to vanish. We are at Piani Resinelli, in the heart of the Lecco area, where a steel walkway extends 12 meters into the void, offering the unique thrill of walking suspended above Lake Como.
Despite the breathtaking view, you don’t need to be an expert climber to enjoy this experience. The Valentino Park Belvedere is in fact accessible via an easy walk—suitable for families and completely free—that leads to what many consider the most photogenic viewpoint in Lombardy.
How to get to the Belvedere dei Piani Resinelli: the trail in Valentino Park
The starting point is Piazzale Daniele Chiappa, better known as the “Piazzale del Grattacielo” in Piani Resinelli. The name comes from a 1960s residential building, about 10 stories tall, which—though it clashes with the mountain landscape—has become an unmissable landmark.
Here are the route details:
Duration: After about a 20–30-minute relaxing walk through the beech trees, the forest suddenly opens up to reveal the spectacular cantilevered terrace. The walk is so easy that it can even be done with a stroller.
The entrance: it is located right next to the Skyscraper, just past the gate of Valentino Park.
The trail: an easy walk suitable for everyone, almost entirely flat and set in the woods.
12 meters over the void: the adrenaline rush of the cantilevered walkway
Once you emerge from the forest trail, the view suddenly reveals itself. The steel walkway stretches 12 meters out over the void, suspended above a cliff that opens up to a 360-degree panorama.
The thrill of the grating: the floor is made of perforated metal grating; just look down to see the forest flowing beneath your feet, a detail that sends a shiver down even the bravest of spines.
What you can see: from the farthest point, the view takes in the Lecco branch of Lake Como, all the way to the Brianza lakes— Lake Annone, Lake Pusiano, and Lake Garlate—framed by the imposing walls of the Southern Grigna.
The parking situation : At Piani Resinelli, if you arrive late on Sundays, you won’t find a parking spot. On sunny weekends, the parking lot fills up quickly. We recommend arriving by 9:30 a.m . to easily find a spot in Piazzale Daniele Chiappa and enjoy the walk in the morning silence.
And after the walk?
Once back at the square, it’s worth stopping at one of the historic mountain huts in Piani Resinelli, perhaps to enjoy a plate of polenta taragna or a generous platter of local cheeses.
If you still have energy to spare, just a few minutes’ drive away is the Casa delle Guide, a small museum that tells the story of mountaineering in Lecco and its most iconic feats.