PROGRAMME
Organize your week as you please! There are many day-hike excursion possibilities in this area, or if you prefer to spend the day at the beach we will recommend the best ones to you. You can even choose you own arrival day!
Sunday: A day to relax or discover the charms of Lake Maggiore.For those who prefer to spend the day in the mountains, we will organize an excursion to the Uriezzo Gorge and Toce Waterfalls.
Monday: Val Grande National park – Cicogna and Pogallo: Not many people know that the largest wilderness area in Italy is located only a few kilometres from Lake Maggiore.
Within its 15,000 hectares Nature reigns supreme, and the scenery is truly unique since much of the park is completely wild.
We will reach Cicogna by minibus, one of the park’s few hamlets that can be reached by road, and from here we begin our hike: we ascend to Alpe Brà (1223m) and the Mountain Refuge of the Alpine Regiment.
The trail continues to Alpe Leciuri and goes down to Pogallo.
For long sections the trail is covered with enormous slabs of local stone called ‘piode’.
This itinerary will literally lead you on the trail of history as you discover the importance of Valgrande’s forests and local industries that relied on the timer supply, plus the mysterious prehistoric rock incisions of the area and the legacy of World War 2 battles in these valleys which were a safe haven for Resistance fighters.
(Time- 6 hrs 30 mins- Elevation difference approx. 600m).
Tuesday: Anzasca Valley– Macugnaga: This is the valley of the ‘Walser’ people, an ancient tribe of Germanic origin who reached our valleys via the high mountain passes many centuries ago.
They brought with them their traditions and a unique way of life, their unique culture is still evident in the style of many buildings, plus the Macugnaga Museum is home to a rich collection of cultural artefacts.
We will travel by bus right through the length of the Anzasca valley to the hamlet of Pecetto, which is the part of the Macugnaga community closest to Mount Rosa, the second highest mountain in Europe.
From here we will take the cable car to Belvedere, a panoramic spot located on the glacier’s moraine (20mins).
The hiking trail begins here and will take us up to the Zamboni-Zappa Refuge (2065m), the best point to admire the grandeur of the east face of Mount Rosa in its entirety.
On the return hike via the Rosareccio alpine pasture we will pass the wild chamois reserve.
(Time- 5hrs- Elevation difference approx. 700m)
Wednesday: A day to relax or discover the charms of Lake Maggiore.
For those who prefer to spend the day in the mountains, we will organize a hiking excursion on the Mottarone Mountain.
Thursday: Devero Park: This spectacular park of alpine pastures is also well known by crystal experts for its abundance of minerals.
Today we will explore the area beginning our hike from the hamlet of Goglio, near Baceno.
Following the old mule track we will pass Forcola on our way up to the Devero Park.
We will follow a circular route that will take us to the bay of Codelago via Varallo, and on the descent via Crampiolo and Corte d’Ardui.
Besides the stunning mountain scenery, it is the wealth of minerals that makes this area stand out.
In fact many of the world’s mineral museums are enriched with specimens (quartz, feldspar, and minerals of iron origin) from this region!
Friday: day to relax or discover the charms of Lake Maggiore.
For those who prefer to spend the day in the mountains, we will organize a hiking excursion to the Vigezzo Valley.
Saturday: Cannero-Cannobio: Today we will follow a route along the northern shores of Lake Maggiore.
It is a wonderful hike that will allow us to explore the area around two of the lake’s loveliest towns.
We will take our bus to the town of Cannero, and from here we will follow time-worn trails towards Cannobio discovering en route marvellous spots and hidden gems such as the fortified village of Upper Carmine.
Breathtaking lake views will accompany us along our way, and spectacular vantage points of the Cannero Castles, located on magical islands, will make memorable photos for your holiday album.
Once we reach Cannobio we will briefly explore this charming town, enjoy a dip in the lake and then begin our return journey by boat.(Time- 3hrs- Elevation difference approx. 250m)
Optional hiking excursions:
Today our first objective will be Premia in the Antigorio Valley from where we can discover one of the few pedestrian-accessible
gorges in the world.
We will see traces left by the last Ice Age, when this gorge and the entire valley were carved out.
The
stark landscape with its incredible rock formations will leave a lasting impression on you!
We then continue to the town of Baceno
where we will visit one of the most stunning Romanesque churches in the region, famous not only for its spectacular setting but also
for the precious frescoes it houses.
In the afternoon we will continue to the Formazza Valley to marvel at the highest waterfalls in
the region (140m).
This waterfall is only on show on Sundays during the summer; during the rest of the year these waters are used for
generating electricity!(Time- 2hrs 30mins- Elevation difference approx. 200m)
Mount Mottarone: This impressive ‘rounded’ mountain is flanked by two lakes:Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.
From the town
of Stresa we will take the cable car up to the intermediate ‘Alpino’ station.
The hiking trail begins here, and will
take us on a circular route through forests of evergreens and deciduous trees, with wonderful views and beautiful wildflowers which are
sure to delight you.
The panorama alone is breathtaking:7 lakes and the entire Mount Rosa mountain chain will lie before you!
Returning to the ‘Alpino’ station, there will be time before our final descent to visit the splendid ‘Alpinia’
Botanical Garden which is famous for its typical alpine flora and for its stunning view of Lake Maggiore’s Borromean Gulf.(Time- 5hrs 30mins- Elevation difference approx. 700m).
Vigezzo Valley:The Vigezzo Valley or ‘Painter’s Valley’.
Today we will enjoy a hike in the valley
once home to numerous painters and chimneysweeps.
Departing from Arvogno near the town of Santa Maria Maggiore we will follow and old
mule track to the eastern slopes of Pioda di Crana.
Continuing on via S. Gerolamo, Alpi Villasco and ‘I Motti’, and San
Pantaleone we will arrive at Lake Panelatte and Forcola di Parecchio.
An unusual feature of the landscape are the gneiss formations;
along with the forests of larch, the profusion of wild rhododendron and blueberry, and small alpine lakes this beautiful area is a
hiker’s paradise!(Time- 4hrs- Elevation difference approx. 900m). |
