Imagine starting your day on Lake Como with an adventure that smells of freedom, nature, and silence. The morning air is crisp, the lake still asleep, and the first light of dawn reflects on the water in shades of pink and gold. It is in this magical moment that one of the most fascinating experiences on the lake begins: paddling up the Mera River by canoe until you reach the beautiful Lake Mezzola.
You don’t need to be a professional explorer or a seasoned athlete, but this excursion certainly requires some energy and a spirit of adventure. It’s a trip that lasts at least 4–5 hours—a small journey filled with emotions and discoveries.
In Gera Lario, you can rent canoes, kayaks, or, for the more trained and daring, even a SUP. If you dream of setting off before sunrise—when everything is calm and the atmosphere truly enchanted—it’s essential to arrange with the rental centers to pick up your equipment the evening before. Bomboklat, the kiosk in Sorico, and the Soul Surfer Center in Domaso are great points of reference, always ready with advice and solutions for those who want to begin their adventure when the first coffees of the morning are being served in the village cafés.
Once your canoe is ready, you pack a simple but essential backpack: a packed lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, and a light windbreaker. A quick look at the weather—an essential step—and off you go.
Paddling up the river from its mouth is surprisingly peaceful: the current is gentle and sets a natural, almost meditative rhythm. As you move along, you soon meet the first local inhabitants—elegant ducks gliding across the water, groups of mallards, dark-feathered coots, and slender-necked grebes that disappear underwater with a sudden dive only to resurface a little farther ahead. Just a few minutes in, and the vast natural area of the Pian di Spagna appears— a protected oasis where nature still reigns supreme. With a bit of luck, you might spot deer timidly approaching the water, hares darting between bushes, and many bird species that have made this their safe haven. The atmosphere feels suspended, almost mystical: everything moves gently, respectfully, as if nature itself were asking for silence to be heard.
After about two hours of easy paddling, surrounded by greenery and a landscape completely different from the open lake, you finally reach Lake Mezzola. Smaller, wilder, quieter—a true hidden gem. Here, you might come across fishermen patiently tending their nets or other adventurers who, like you, have chosen to reach this peaceful corner by paddling. And then the surprises begin. Without giving away too much, know that along the shores you’ll find small secret beaches accessible only by water—untouched spots where time seems to have stopped. One of the most enchanting places is undoubtedly the little Tempietto di San Fedelino, a tiny 10th-century Romanesque chapel that suddenly appears between the trees like a vision suspended between history and nature.
One essential tip: always leave early. In the afternoon—usually between 12:00 and 14:00—the Breva rises, the thermal wind of the lake that blows from south to north. It’s perfect for surfers but can become quite challenging for anyone paddling back home. It’s best to already be on your way back when it begins to blow, so you can avoid exhausting effort during the final stretch.
This experience is more than an excursion: it’s a journey into the most authentic nature of Lake Como, an immersion in silence, slow movement, and discovery. One of those adventures that stays in your eyes and your heart, and that makes you want to return to the lake… again and again.
