Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake

REVIEW · MILAN

Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake

  • 5.09 reviews
  • 2 hours
  • From $29
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Operated by La Milano che non ti aspetti · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Milan has a forest-side plan that feels worlds away. This short 2-hour trek through Boscoincittà takes you to quieter corners of the city, then ends with a picnic by the Lake of Turtles. The mix of nature walks plus food time makes it a fun reset for your Milan days.

I really like how the guide leads you off the main paths to “hidden places” and shelters in the woods. I also like the food setup: you’re not just eating anywhere—you’re having a picnic with Italian products, plus tastings along the way, so it feels like a full experience rather than a quick stop.

One thing to consider: you’re trading a longer hike for a focused sampler. If you want lots of hiking time or big sightseeing stops beyond the forest-and-lake theme, this may feel a bit short.

Key highlights worth your time

Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake - Key highlights worth your time

  • A guided walk through Boscoincittà, including stops for photos and scenic views on the way
  • Wild life spotting plus ponds and green space right inside Milan
  • Picnic by the Lake of Turtles, with Italian products and a calm, scenic finish
  • Food moments built into the route, including aperitif/beer and cheese/food tastings
  • A guide who keeps the journey moving, speaking Italian, English, and Spanish

Milan’s “wood time” in just 2 hours

Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake - Milan’s “wood time” in just 2 hours
If your Milan plan has too much museum time (or too much city noise), this is the antidote. You get a proper walk under trees in the green heart of the city, then you relax by water with a picnic.

It’s also a nice match for people who want something outdoors without committing to a whole day trip. At $29 per person for about 2 hours, you’re paying for three things: a guided route, a picnic setup, and the whole “slow down” atmosphere of the lakeside finish.

The most appealing part is that it doesn’t feel like a generic nature walk. The experience is designed to guide you through quiet pockets of Boscoincittà, then land you at the Lake of Turtles when you’re ready to sit down.

You can also read our reviews of more hiking tours in Milan

Getting to Boscoincittà: simple start, easy rhythm

Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake - Getting to Boscoincittà: simple start, easy rhythm
You meet at Via Giorgio de Chirico, 7. The practical advantage here is that you’re close to Milan’s metro lines, so you’re not spending your energy figuring out complicated logistics.

If you’re coming by Red line (M1), go toward Rho Fiera, get off at Bonola, and walk about 5 minutes. If that’s not convenient, the Lilac line (M5) works too: ride to the terminus, take bus n. 64 toward Bonola, and get off at Piazza Rosa scolari.

A small detail worth knowing: one person specifically noted easy free parking around the meeting point. Even if you don’t drive, it’s a good sign that the area isn’t a total hassle.

The guided forest walk: hidden corners and real wildlife time

Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake - The guided forest walk: hidden corners and real wildlife time
Once you’re moving, the tone shifts quickly—from city routine to a guided wander through Boscoincittà. This is the kind of walk where you’re not just passing trees. You’re learning your way around: secret corners, shelters, and paths shaped by the woods.

The route is built around the idea that every step feels like a small discovery. You’re walking through a unique forest area in Milan, with a natural mix of botanical life and places where wildlife can show up.

If you like watching ponds and listening for birds, you’ll get that here. The forest setting is paired with water views along the way, so you’re not only looking at greenery—you’re also getting little “pauses” where the scenery opens.

One of the strongest signals from the guide experience: the tour guide doesn’t disappear after giving instructions. People have highlighted that the guide speaks throughout, talking about what you’re seeing and keeping the group comfortable as you move.

The in-forest food beats: aperitif, beer, and tastings

Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake - The in-forest food beats: aperitif, beer, and tastings
This isn’t a strict hiking tour where you carry everything and forget food. The day plan includes food moments while you’re still in the green.

There’s a break time and a photo stop, then the experience works in an aperitif and even beer. After that, you’ll have picnic time plus cheese tasting and food tasting as part of the flow.

Why that matters: it turns the experience into something you can enjoy even if you’re not a hardcore walker. You get a reason to stop, stretch your legs, and enjoy the place instead of rushing through it.

Also, because the route ends at a lakeside picnic, those earlier tastings act like a warm-up. You arrive at the Lake of Turtles ready to relax rather than hungry and impatient.

Sunset-style pacing and scenic pauses

Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake - Sunset-style pacing and scenic pauses
The walk is paced like a gentle arc toward the end of the experience. The plan includes moments like sunset and scenic views on the way, which is perfect if you want photos without turning it into a full “photo mission.”

This timing can be especially pleasant in a forest. Late light through the trees changes everything. Even if you’re not a photographer, you’ll feel it—your walk shifts from daytime “let’s see” to evening “let’s enjoy.”

And because this tour is only 2 hours, you don’t have to plan your entire day around it. You can fit it in when the light is best, then go back to Milan for dinner without the whole day disappearing.

Lake of Turtles picnic: the calm finish you came for

Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake - Lake of Turtles picnic: the calm finish you came for
The ending is the payoff: a picnic on the shores of the Lake of Turtles. This is where the experience slows down on purpose. You go from guided walking to sitting, eating, and letting the surroundings do the work.

The food focus is practical and enjoyable: you get Italian products for the picnic. That detail matters because it keeps the meal from feeling like an afterthought. It’s part of the point of doing the tour.

You’ll also be in a setting built for tranquility. The “lake of turtles” name alone makes you expect something special, but what you actually get is a calm water-side moment that feels like a quiet chapter in your Milan trip.

This is the kind of finish that works well even if you’re traveling as a couple or solo. You’re not trapped in a restaurant schedule. You’re enjoying an outdoors pause with a planned setup.

Price and value: why $29 can feel like a deal

Trekking in the Wood with picnic on the turtles lake - Price and value: why $29 can feel like a deal
Let’s talk value in real terms. $29 for about 2 hours isn’t just paying for a walk. You’re paying for:

  • a live guide (speaking Italian, English, and Spanish)
  • a structured route to hidden places in Boscoincittà
  • a picnic plus bottle of water

Then, because the program includes aperitif/beer and cheese and food tastings, you’re getting more than a simple sandwich-and-walk combo. The tastings turn it into a mini food-and-nature format.

Is it expensive compared to buying your own picnic items? Maybe. But it’s cheaper than many “tour + meal” combos in Milan, and it gives you context—especially around the forest route—so you’re not wandering around unsure what you’re looking at.

If you’re the type who likes small structured experiences (rather than all-day logistics), it’s a smart use of time.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This tour fits best if you want:

  • Nature in Milan without a long travel window
  • a guided route that gets you to places you might miss on your own
  • a relaxed finish with picnic food and tastings
  • a comfortable group format with a guide who talks during the walk

It may not be your best match if:

  • you want a long hike or heavy exercise
  • you’re hunting for big famous Milan landmarks
  • you prefer meals that are fully independent and not tied to the tour flow

In other words, think of it as a short green reset—an experience you do because it changes your rhythm, not because it checks every sightseeing box.

Should you book Trekking in the Wood with Picnic by the Lake of Turtles?

I’d book it if you want a fast, feel-good Milan day that mixes forest wandering with an actually nice finish. The guide-led route is the big value, and the lakeside picnic is a strong payoff for the time.

It’s also a smart pick when you don’t want to over-plan. You know your start point, your tour length (2 hours), and you know the end goal: a calm picnic by water.

If you care about guided nature time, appreciate Italian food moments, and like a gentle pacing toward sunset-style views, this one checks a lot of boxes for a very reasonable price.

FAQ

How long is the trekking and picnic experience?

The duration is about 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

It costs $29 per person.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Via Giorgio de Chirico, 7. By metro, you can use M1 to Bonola (then walk about 5 minutes) or M5 to the terminus, then bus n. 64 toward Bonola to Piazza Rosa scolari.

What languages are available for the live guide?

The live tour guide speaks Italian, English, and Spanish.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes a guided walk to hidden places, a picnic, and a bottle of water.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible, and can I get a full refund if plans change?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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