Discovering prehistoric erratic boulders

Walk along Piazza Giovio and take Via Plinio, behind the church of Santa Tecla, on your left. Go up to Piazza Caronti and here, on the left and next to the Banca Intesa San Paolo, a flight of steps named Via Tridi starts. A sign marks the way to Montepiatto and Pietra Pendula.

Keep going uphill following the Strada Regia signs until you reach the intersection with via per Piazzega; then take the stairway following the sign Massi Avelli - Piazzega - Strada Regia per Molina.
You are now on a wide mule track that proceeds slightly uphill, expertly worked in steps; you will enjoy pleasant views of the many terraced fields, old farmsteads and vast panoramic views of the lake.

You easily arrive at the gate Porta Travaina and what remains of the ancient walls of the parish church of Torno. The entire village and castle were destroyed in 1522 by the Como people and their allies.

Shortly after you arrive at the beautiful bridge Ponte di Travaina; here a sign suggests a detour on a loop trail that takes you to the famous boulders called Massi Avelli.
The trail is quite sinister, but fascinating. The many violently broken, uprooted trees and some dreamy stone houses seem to transcend the simple force of nature and the passage of time. 

Here are the Massi Avelli at last, that are large erratic stones of gray granite from the Masino Valley and transported here by glaciers; some have been hollowed out and turned into ancient tombs.
You will encounter three of them: Avello Cascina Negrenza, Avello Negrenza and Avello Piazza. The latter is the largest and it is possible to climb the wooden staircase to observe it from above.
Their dating is uncertain. Some place them in Gallic times, others at the Roman occupation, and still others between the 5^th and 6^th centuries AD. 
When you finish the loop detour, return to the bridge and take the trail again, and in an hour you will be at the Piazzaga Alp, 550 meters above sea level, a beautiful sunny clearing with a small trattoria and large meadows for refreshment.

The trail continues in a southerly direction, thus keeping the lake on your right, towards Montepiatto.
Then you get to this very small and isolated hamlet with a somewhat fairy-tale flavor; the hamlet appears lively, although on the day of the walk we were completely out of season. As you pass through the hamlet pay attention to the detour on your right, where the path to Pietra Pendula is well marked.

You will pass a small church with a spectacular terrace overlooking Lake Como and, shortly after, you will reach your destination. Pietra Pendula is a large granite rock poised on a limestone basement, which was probably thinned on purpose by man to accentuate the mushroom shape.

From Montepiatto it's straight back to Torno, a 40-minute descent that will engage your knees in no small way.