Traversata del Lago di Como

The water here carries a specific, metallic chill near the mouth of the Breggia river, a reminder of the Alpine snowmelt that feeds this stretch of Lake Como. Swimming toward the Moltrasio pier, you navigate through a landscape defined by sharp contrasts: the industrial history of the valley to your north and the refined, neoclassical architecture that lines the shore. As you pass the yellow facade of Villa Fontanelle, formerly the estate of Gianni Versace, the water frontage stretches for 800 meters, a stark visual landmark against the deep, dark depths of the lake.

Historical currents and landmarks

This crossing has evolved from the informal tradition of Mario Arrighi and his friends, who would swim across solely to reach the restaurant at Torno for lunch. Today, the Traversata Torno-Moltrasio 2026 maintains that spirit of social swimming, though now supported by a fleet of kayaks and safety divers. While you pull through the water, you are essentially retracing a path that connects the 11th-century Church of Sant'Agata, once a plague lazaretto, to the modern docks of the Canottieri Moltrasio. The terrain beneath you is as rugged as the peaks above; the Madrona and Zocca caves, formed in the Lower Jurassic period, hollow out the mountainside where you finish. If the distance feels shorter than expected, it is perhaps because the focus shifts to the shoreline, where local legends of escapes from clifftops and the historical routes of wartime 'spalloni' smugglers once defined the pace of life along these banks.

Race day logistics

Scheduled for July 20, 2026, the event covers 1,000 meters, beginning with a boat transport from Moltrasio to the starting point in Torno. The 40 EUR entry fee includes your safety buoy, which is mandatory for all participants. For those who have already completed the 5.2 km route at the Traversata Torno-Blevio-Como, this distance offers a shorter, more concentrated effort. Since this is a non-competitive event, the use of fins, wetsuits, and other aids is fully permitted. The evening finish is guided by a lighthouse on the pier, serving as your primary orientation point as the light fades over the lake. Once you reach the shore, the Canottieri Moltrasio facilities are available for changing, followed by a local dinner in Piazza San Rocco.