Reviewed · SUNSET & APERITIVO LAKE CRUISES

Hike & Beer: beer tasting & breathtaking views at sunset

★ 4.5 · 4 reviews From $184 Operated by Orizzonti Lake Como · Bookable on Viator
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Beer and sunsets? Yes, please. This hike-to-beer outing pairs a mountain walk above Lecco with a craft beer tasting before you settle into the quiet at a sunset viewpoint over the lake. I like that you’re not just drinking at random stops—you’re climbing with a guide, then choosing your brew to enjoy up high. One thing to consider: this is a moderate hike, and the tour depends on the light and weather, so you’ll want proper shoes and a windproof layer.

I’m also a fan of the “local rhythm” here. You start in Lecco, move into Parco Monte Barro for a real climb, and then shift gears at Birrificio Herba Monstrum Brewery with appetizers and your pick of beer for the lookout. Guides such as Gabriele and Isabella are the kind who focus on what’s around you—flora, details on the route, and a bit of local context—so the evening feels personal, not like a checklist.

Finally, the payoff is strong but it takes planning on your end. You should arrive ready to walk for a few hours, bring water, and expect the timing to float with sunset. If you’re hoping for an easy stroll or you’re sensitive to cool mountain air near dusk, this may feel like more effort than you want.

Key things to know before you go

Hike & Beer: beer tasting & breathtaking views at sunset - Key things to know before you go

  • Beer tasting happens before the big viewpoint: choose what you’ll sip while the sky changes.
  • A mountain trail above Lecco: you’ll hike along areas overlooking Lecco and the eastern side of Lake Como.
  • Parco Monte Barro sets the tone: a long uphill stretch that’s the main physical commitment.
  • Herba Monstrum Brewery + appetizers: local craft beers, plus food to keep you comfortable on the hike.
  • Small group size (max 16): easier pacing and a calmer evening on the trail.
  • Sunset timing is flexible: your schedule adjusts so you catch the light.

Beer-first Above Lecco: Why This Plan Feels Right

This tour is built around a simple idea: don’t wait until the end of the day to have fun. You start with a microbrewery tasting, then you hike upward, and you finish at a lookout when the colors shift over Lake Como.

That order matters. If you go straight to a viewpoint without a plan, the experience can feel crowded and rushed. Here, the beer break is tied to the climb, so you get two kinds of reward—one for your taste buds, and one for your eyes—without needing a complicated itinerary.

And the setting is part of the appeal. You’re not staying down by the water for the whole evening. This puts you higher above Lecco, with a better angle on the lake and the surrounding hills as dusk settles in.

Golden hour on the water with a glass of prosecco.

Getting Oriented in Lecco: Meeting at Edicola Ponte Vecchio

Hike & Beer: beer tasting & breathtaking views at sunset - Getting Oriented in Lecco: Meeting at Edicola Ponte Vecchio
You meet at Edicola Ponte Vecchio Lecco, Via Azzone Visconti 86 (6:00 pm start). The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not left figuring out transport after a sunset hike.

If you’re planning your day, I’d treat this as an evening commitment, not a quick activity. Most people will want to keep dinner flexible because the tour includes a discount voucher you can use later.

Since public transportation is nearby, you don’t have to arrange a private transfer for the tour itself. Still, if your lodging is far from Lecco center, check your route ahead of time so you’re not cutting it close before the 6:00 pm start.

Parco Monte Barro: The 3-hour hike with lake-and-mountain views

Hike & Beer: beer tasting & breathtaking views at sunset - Parco Monte Barro: The 3-hour hike with lake-and-mountain views
The heart of the walking is Parco Monte Barro. This is where you earn the sunset reward—about 3 hours on the mountain trail following the side that looks toward Lecco and the eastern side of Lake Como.

What I like about this portion is that it’s not just scenic wallpaper. You’re moving through a mountain setting that feels like it’s away from the lakeshore crowds. And because the route is described as overlooking Lecco and the lake, you should feel the views improve as you gain elevation.

A few practical notes so you enjoy the hike instead of wrestling it:

  • Wear trekking shoes. The guide won’t accept participants without suitable footwear.
  • Bring water. It’s explicitly recommended.
  • Dress for cool wind near dusk. The tour suggests a windproof jacket in unstable weather.

Also, this isn’t marketed as a flat walk. The guidance says moderate physical fitness is required. If you’re comfortable hiking on uneven ground for a few hours, you should be fine.

Birrificio Herba Monstrum: Choose your beer, eat, and plan for the lookout

Hike & Beer: beer tasting & breathtaking views at sunset - Birrificio Herba Monstrum: Choose your beer, eat, and plan for the lookout
After the climb, you shift to Birrificio Herba Monstrum Brewery (Birreria Artigianale con Cucina). The tasting portion runs about 45 minutes and includes local craft beers with local appetizers.

The standout detail here is what you do with your choices. You pick the beer you want, and then you take it along to enjoy at the viewpoint while you watch sunset colors roll across the area. That makes the tasting feel practical, not just something you squeeze in before walking again.

You’ll also get food during this stop, which is a big deal. Beer plus an empty stomach while you’re still hiking can turn into an unpleasant evening. The appetizers help you reset before the final climb-and-wait phase.

The sunset lookout over Monte Resegone and Lake Como

Hike & Beer: beer tasting & breathtaking views at sunset - The sunset lookout over Monte Resegone and Lake Como
Once you’re up high, the tour focuses on the payoff: a break at the lookout to enjoy the changing colors at sunset from the area overlooking Monte Resegone, with views extending across eastern Lake Como.

This is also where you’ll enjoy the beer you chose earlier. The pacing here is important. The whole plan is timed around the light, and the schedule may shift depending on sunset time, so the guide will adjust timing so you catch the best window.

Expect a quieter moment than you’d get in the town along the water. You’re away from the constant movement of lakeside crowds, and you’re experiencing the lake from a higher angle—more like watching the evening settle than just taking photos.

If you’re someone who likes to slow down at viewpoints, this part is where the tour earns its keep.

Dinner voucher: how the beer tour extends into your next meal

Hike & Beer: beer tasting & breathtaking views at sunset - Dinner voucher: how the beer tour extends into your next meal
You don’t just leave with memories. You also get a discount voucher for dinner later on (or for your next day).

That matters for value. Beer tasting tours can feel like a one-off moment—spend the money, drink the beer, and then you’re on your own for dinner. This one nudges you to stay local for food afterward, and it helps you manage costs after the tour.

It’s also a good backup plan. If the evening gets chilly (it can near dusk in the mountains), you’ll be glad you can take the tour’s momentum straight into a warm meal instead of hunting for a plan at the last minute.

What to wear and bring: the stuff that makes or breaks sunset hikes

Hike & Beer: beer tasting & breathtaking views at sunset - What to wear and bring: the stuff that makes or breaks sunset hikes
This tour gives clear guidance, and I’m glad it does. Here’s what you should take seriously:

  • Trekking shoes: non-negotiable. The guide won’t accept participants without suitable shoes.
  • Comfy sporty clothes: the hike is long enough that you’ll want breathable layers.
  • Water: bring it. Don’t assume you’ll have a perfect place to refill.
  • Windproof jacket: especially if weather looks unstable.

The moderate fitness requirement is also worth respecting. If you’re someone who tends to overestimate your hiking stamina, this is where you want to be honest. The tour lasts about 4 to 5 hours, and the longest stretch is the mountain hike.

Finally, the group size is capped at 16. That helps with flow, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is still a real trail experience. You’ll enjoy it more if you treat it like an evening hike first, and a beer tasting second.

Price and value: is $184.22 fair for what you get?

Hike & Beer: beer tasting & breathtaking views at sunset - Price and value: is $184.22 fair for what you get?
At $184.22 per person, the tour isn’t the cheapest thing in Lake Como. But it also isn’t just a drink-and-walk with no substance.

Here’s the value breakdown based on what’s included:

  • A local and professional mountain guide (not just a casual meetup).
  • Beer tasting at the brewery with appetizers.
  • A beer to take with you (one bottle of beer at your choice).
  • A discount voucher for dinner later (or the next day).
  • The rest of the time is a guided hike over some of the best views above Lecco, capped for a maximum of 16 travelers.

So you’re paying for three things at once: the guide expertise, the brewery experience, and the sunset viewpoint timing. If you were to do a similar hike on your own, you’d still need to figure out the route, timing, and a post-hike reward. If you were to do only a brewery tasting, you’d miss the elevated sunset angle that makes this tour special.

The best “value match” here is simple: if you’re both the type who enjoys hiking and the type who likes local craft beer, this price starts to feel reasonable.

Guide energy and local focus (Gabriele, Isabella, and Marco)

One of the most praised parts of this experience is the guides. Names that come up include Gabriele, Isabella, and Marco, and the consistent theme is a warm, local approach.

The helpful detail: the guides don’t just lead you from point to point. They point out flora and add context as you hike. That turns the trail into something more than steps. It’s especially useful here because you’re doing a mountain walk where the sights can shift quickly; knowing what you’re looking at makes the route feel smoother.

You’ll still need to do your part—shoes on, water in hand, and an eye on where you’re stepping. But having a guide who pays attention to the small things makes a big difference on a sunset tour.

Who this tour is best for (and who might skip it)

This outing is ideal for:

  • Outdoor enthusiasts who don’t mind a hike that lasts several hours.
  • Beer lovers who like craft brews and want a beer choice that’s timed to the viewpoint.
  • People who want to see Lake Como from higher above Lecco, not only from the lakeshore.

It’s less ideal if:

  • You want a very easy walk. The hike is described as moderate and includes a 3-hour mountain segment.
  • You don’t handle mountain weather well. Windproof layers are recommended and conditions can change with sunset timing.
  • You’re not interested in beer at all. The tasting and the take-along bottle are central to the flow.

If you’re traveling with friends or a partner and you like shared “wow” moments—first at the brewery, then at the lookout—this is a very satisfying evening plan.

Should you book Hike & Beer: Sunset Views at Lake Como?

I’d book it if your ideal Lake Como evening includes real walking, a guided viewpoint moment, and a beer-focused reward that feels connected to the hike. The best part is the structure: tasting first, climbing next, then settling into sunset with your chosen bottle in hand.

I’d hesitate if you’re expecting an easy, casual lakeside stroll. This is a mountain hike with a strong time-and-weather component, and the tour emphasizes footwear, water, and wind protection for a reason.

If you’re in that sweet spot—moderate hiking plus craft beer—this is a smart use of an evening, with a small group feel and a dinner voucher that helps you extend the experience.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

How long is the hike and beer experience?

It’s about 4 to 5 hours.

Where do I meet, and where do I end?

You meet at Edicola Ponte Vecchio Lecco, Via Azzone Visconti, 86, 23900 Lecco LC, Italy, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a local mountain guide, a craft beer tasting at the brewery with appetizers, a discount voucher for dinner later (or the next day), and alcoholic beverages including one bottle of beer at your choice.

Is there beer to take to the lookout?

Yes. You get one bottle of beer at your choice to take with you in the mountain.

Do I need transportation from my hotel?

Transfer from/to your accommodation is not included. It’s available on request for an extra charge.

What fitness level is required?

Moderate physical fitness is recommended, since there’s a hike portion and the tour includes time on mountain trails.

What should I wear?

Bring water and wear comfy sporty clothes and trekking shoes. The mountain guide will not accept participants with unsuitable shoes. A windproof jacket is recommended in case of unstable weather.

What if the weather is poor or the minimum number of participants isn’t reached?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants isn’t reached, you’ll be fully refunded or offered a different date/experience.