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Home , Azzio, Brebbia, Cadorna Line, Cassano Valcuvia, Castello Cabiaglio, Cittiglio

The Cycle lanes of the lakes of CYCLE GUIDE LECCO, and

PANORAMIC PLACES AND Cadegliano Viconago in the locality of SCENIC STOPS: Argentera, in the locality of Ponte Nativo (near to the orrido), in the neighbourhood of the Santuario di Cavona. ITINERARY 1 LINKS WITH OTHER ITINERARIES: By bicycle: a link with itinerary 2 “ By bicycle FROM LAGO CERESIO TO along the banks of the Lake of Varese”. THROUGH LA VALCUVIA By train: a link with itinerary 2 “By bicycle along the banks of the lake of Varese” And with itinerary 3 “Nature and culture LENGTH OF THE ROUTE: 29,7 Km while crossing the Valle dell’” (Varese- DEPARTURE - ARRIVAL: Lavena Ponte FNM line) ARRIVAL - DEPARTURE: Cittiglio THE CONDITIONS OF THE TRACK: Roads that are in part used solely for cycle use, and sometimes the track requires the bicycle to be pushed and the steep slopes are not ALTIMETRIC PROFILE negligible. A mountain bike is recommended for the excavated roads and you are recommended to take great care on the tracks that are both for cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles. On some tracks which are still at the planning stage it will be necessary the use of normal roads as an alternative to the tracks. ROUTE TIME: 2,30 - 3,30 hours COURSE DIFFICULTY: Moderately diffi cult. Routes: Diffi cult: Locality Camartino-Laghetto and Locality ex. Filatoio in the town of Ferrera; Sporty: Locality Valcanasca in the town of . PLACES FOR STOPS: Lavena , Cadegliano Viconago in the locality of Argentera, in the locality of Maglio di Ghirla, in the nearby the torrent of Rancina, Cunardo in the locality of Ponte Nativo (near the Orrido), Cuveglio in the locality of Cavona and .

14 15 The Cycle lanes of the lakes of CYCLE GUIDE LECCO, COMO and VARESE

INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESSIBILITY DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL: tower and the unprecedented pentagonal cloister of ‘San Gemolo martire’ (1590-1597). In the By car: motorway A8, take the turn off for Varese and follow the S.S.233 in the direction of have maintained the original aspect.The guest upper corridor of the cloisters of the abbey, is the Ponte Tresa (about 21km). quarters, the refectory and the cells have been small Museo della Badia di S. Gemolo, founded By train: direct line Ponte Tresa- (FLP), the station of (FFS about 10km). transformed into buildings for agricultural use. in 1962, where there are some remains of the By bus: Ghirla-Ponte Tresa-Lavena, -Ponte Tresa line. Inside the church, frescoes from the 15th and 16th Mesolithic area (the Tène of the Canton By boat: The navigational service Lago di Lugano (links with and for Lugano). centuries have been preserved. Of particular note and of the Velate ) vestments, altar cloth and holy Starting point: the centre of Ponte Tresa. is the fi gure of ‘Cristo Re’ that dates back to the vessels, sculptures, paintings and ceramics from years between 1325 and 1350, a ‘Madonna della the Charlemagne period to the 20th century, and a ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE : CITTIGLIO Misericordia’ (end of the 15th century), the fi gure lace and embroidery collection from 19th century. By car: motorway A8, take the turn off for Varese and follow the s.S.394 in the direction of Cittiglio. of ‘profeti’ (fi rst half of the 15th century), a canvas From the locality of Maglio di Ghirla the route By train: the FNM station of Cittiglio. By bus: the Cittiglio-Travedona line, Cittiglio-, Luino-Cittiglio. Starting point: behind the Ferrovie Nord station of Cittiglio.

The route which crosses the whole of Valcuvia, At Ganna it is worth visiting the Badia di S. starts from the centre of Ponte Tresa, running along Gemolo, a monastery at the beginning of the the lake towards the ex railway, in the direction of valley that links Valganna and Valcuvia, once an Cadegliano Viconago. In this town there is the important reference point for Christianity in the Parish of Sant’Antonio Abatedating back to the area north of Varese. The fi rst Roman unit probably high Roman time. was here established at the end of the 11th century, The itinerary follows the ex railway towards the with the seal of the archbishop of , Arnolfo town of following the SS233, until you II so to oppose the county of Seprio, and to limit reach Cugliate Fabiasco. From here, continue in the power of Como (whose region extended to the direction of Valganna, reaching the area of up to ), and to exercise control over Maglio di Ghirla. Valganna and its alpine passes. At this point a fi rst deviation is recommended The monastery, in the following century joined the to admire Lake Ghirla, a small pool of water, powerful Benedictine abbey of San Benigno of surrounded by the mountains of the Valganna, Fruttaria and became one of the most important where it is possible to have a stop in an area where monastic pre-alpine settlements. It’s prosperity there with facilities. In the surrounding area, for lasted until halfway through the 15th century, when those who are interested, there is also the possibility the abbey was fi rst entrusted in commendam, to visit the nature reserves of the Torbiera di to then be given up in 1556 to the Ospedale Pralugano and of Martica Chiusarella. Maggiore of Milan. Finally halfway through the From Lake Ghirla you can then continue towards 19th century, the abbey was sold, with all its goods Valganna, whose lake, only three metres deep and to private buyers. surrounded by canes and full of water lilies, was Today the building is the result of several restoration declared a nature reserve in 1984. works, in consequence of only the church, the bell

16 17 The Cycle lanes of the lakes of CYCLE GUIDE LECCO, COMO and VARESE

continues in the direction of Cunardo reaching Cunardo and today it is only possible to visit only reach Brenta and ends at the back of the Railway as civic towers and bell towers, churches or sacred Ponte Nativo where it is possible to see the the ‘Fornace Ibis’. Following the route in the Station ‘Ferrovie Nord Milano’ in the town of places, rocks, forts and evidence of industrial Orrido, and to visit the Fornaci Ibis in Camartino direction of the town of Ferrara di Varese and by Cittiglio, and from here there is a path that leads to archaeology. The rich culture is further witnessed an important example of the reclaiming and passing it, you arrive at Cassana Valcuvia where an attractive cascade. by the fi ndings of archaeological remains. restoration of the ancient 18th century buildings it is possible to turn into the path that leads to the From the historical-artistic point of view, the area characterised by having smokestacks, typical for church of S.Giuseppe, next to which it is possible of Valcuvia has several architectural interest, such the production. to see some of the Linea Cadorna, a fortifi cation Valganna boasts its ancient traditions in ceramics, line which was created in 1916 by the namesake THEMATIC ROUTES thanks to the copious amounts of clay in the area. general of the same name. It consists of a thick DISCOVERING THE PROTECTED AREAS It is thought that the start of their craft dates back network of trenches, with munition rooms and IN VALCUVIA AND VALGANNA to the times of the Emperor Tiberio, who in 34 a network of underground tunnels, organised B.C sent craftsmen into the area. Around 1200 around a main route. The piece of fortifi cation of furnaces were common in the area, like that at S.Giuseppe in Cassano is also a good position Ghirla on the initiative of the Mantovanian family and well kept for machine guns. The itinerary which follows the cycle track, is Ganna, the torbiera di Pralugano and the De Laurentis from Mantua. The itinerary continues to Rancio Valcuvia from dedicated to those who want to visit the protected Martica Chiusarella. Following the itinerary So a productive tradition began that spread in the where a deviation can be taken in the direction of area on foot and by bike, combining the desire to in the direction of Cittiglio, it is possible to visit know more, with relaxation, in an environment, the l’ di Cunardo and le high Varese area. In 1796 the ceramics of Camillo for the view of the Laghetto di Brinzio and Orrido Cascate di like Valcuvia and Valganna, that is still intact. The . Adreani grew famous, spreading the tradition of to the Parco Regionale del Campo dei Fiori. Cittiglio the renowned ‘blu di Cunardo’ or ‘blu di Ghirla’. Continuing from Rancio in the direction of Cittiglio, aim of the route is to discover the beauty of the Not to be missed is a visit to Parco del Campo In 1896 there were four ceramic factories in before reaching this town you will pass through local landscape, localising in the neighbourhood dei Fiori and the Laghetto di Brinzio, which Cuveglio at fi rst and then, and Azzio from of Valganna, the area where there is the Lago can be reached by making a deviation from the where you continue until you reach , di Ghirla and the nature reserve of Lago di cycle route at Rancio Valcuvia. where it is worth taking a break at Villa della Porta Bozzolo, which is an important stop for those who are arriving in Valcuvia. The building, which is on the edge of the town, determining the direction of expansion in the modern age, represents an important example of a noble residence of 16th century origin. While maintaining the typical character of a farm-villa, the structure and the vast parklands underwent numerous expansion and restoration projects, in particular in the fi rst half of the of the 18th century. This was when Gian Angelo III della Porta provided it with, a richly decorated and one of the most well preserved Italian gardens, to the present day. The whole estate is now owned by FAI. From Casalzuigo the route continues until you View of Lake Varese from Cazzago; on the background Lake Ganna Parco Campo dei Fiori

18 19 The Cycle lanes of the lakes of CYCLE GUIDE LECCO, COMO and VARESE

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING PLACES TO VISIT: THEMATIC ROUTES Lago di Ghirla and riserve del Lago ACCESSIBILITY: ART AND FOOD IN VALCUVIA di Ganna and Torbiera di Pralugano can be easily reached from the municipality and della Martica Chiusarella in the of Valganna (2-3km). neighbourhood of Valganna. INFORMATION: Town Hall of Valganna The route from Lavena Ponte Tresa to Cittiglio environmental interest, is also characterised by tel. 0332719755 is dedicated to those who like good food its different kinds of gastronomy, which can be and local products, but who would also not tried at the numerous farms in the area. There Cascate di Cittiglio ACCESSIBILITY: renounce the enjoyment of a good bike ride. A are some of the most important historical- can be reached smoothly by a path that combination of excellent refreshments with the artistic testimonies in the . starts in the town (picnic areas, 10 mins. desire to discover the local places and culture. Among the most signifi cant cultural assets we To the fi rst cascade, 30 mins to the second Valcuvia, apart from being of noteworthy recommended: and to the third). INFORMATION: Town Hall of Cittiglio ABBEY OF GANNA tel. 0332601467-17 According to the tradition, the abbey was built Orrido di Cunardo ACCESSIBILITY: on the place of Saint Gerolamo martyrdom, (( in the locality of Ponte Nativo) the locality of Ponte Nativo can be reached at the end of XI Century. Due to its strategic directly from the cycle route. position it became a pass over for merchants INFORMATION: and pilgrims going to the Alps, so that the Town Hall of Cunardo community of Ganna gained a remarkable tel. 0332999211 power and a wide jurisdiction above the surrounding territory. Parco del Campo dei Fiori, riserva ACCESSIBILITY: In the middle of XII Century, at the height of naturale del Laghetto di Brinzio the small lake of Brinzio can be reached by its expansion, the priorato would count the making a deviation from the cycle route at conspicuous number of thirty monks. The Rancio Valcuvia. feudal power of the abbey was expressed in INFORMATION: its architecture, with wide fortifi ed walls and for further information and guided tours towers, then destructed. The most interesting contact the following numbers: parts of the building date back to the Romanic Town Hall of Brinzio age: the church plant, the bell tower and the tel. 0332435714 original pentagonal cloister. Parco Regionale Campo dei Fiori tel. 0332435386 Accessibility from the cycle route: www.parcocampodeifi ori.it detour from Maglio di Ghirla Coop. Esplorandando 3 km, fl at tel.0332975333; [email protected] Information: www.badiadiganna.it - tel. 0332994532 Abbey of Ganna

20 21 The Cycle lanes of the lakes of CYCLE GUIDE LECCO, COMO and VARESE

LINEA CADORNA VILLA DELLA PORTA BOZZOLO OF CASALZUIGNO

The fortifi cation line of Cadorna is a complex at Da Masciago a Cunardo and the one The building represents an important example simple decorated divisions. The main salon on military structure, which was functional at Campo dei Fiori. Of particular interest is of a noble residence of 16th century origin, the ground fl oor is positioned as an axis, with above all in the years just before the First the Fortifi cazione San Giuseppe in Cassano where the Renaissance framework was largely a secret garden and with a front garden which World War. It runs from the high ground of Valcuvia, which is near the small church of redesigned in the following two centuries. The links the framework of the scenic perpendicular the Piemontese bank of Lago Maggiore, to the same name. building maintains the kind of character of garden with that of the villa. The garden is Valceresio. It has a total of 88 emplacements It consists of a dense network of trenches, a farm-villa, since the areas concerned with organised in a sequence of courtyards, sloping for cannon battery of which 11 are in with places for the ammunition and an production ( for silk worm breeding and for terraces, colossal stairways, the theatre of dugouts and 296 km are open to lorry underground network of tunnels, which are the production of wine) are separated from Verzura and belvedere, according to the rules traffi c. This military operation though, has organised round a main tunnel. the residential part. Among the numerous for the most exquisite Italian garden with a never been used or armed and soon after it The lines are positioned well for machine enlargement and restoration projects, the most scenic Baroque fl avour. was created, it was abandoned (as was all guns. important dates back to the last ten years of Accessibility from the cycle route: the defence system in in 1919). to the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th about 2 km help reinforce the Venetian line. Four lines Accessibility from the cycle route: century, when the villa was given a unique and Information: were created. Montorfano - Ossola - Zeda. 5 Km rational character. The buyer, Gian Angelo III Villa della Porta Bozzolo Verbano - Ceresio, Ceresio - Lario, Della Porta, provided it with one of the most Casalzuigno (Varese) - - Mera. In the area of Valcuvia, the Information: well preserved Italian gardens, to the present tel 0332624136 - fax 0332624748 tracks of the Fortifi cazione di San Giuseppe Town Hall of Cassano Valcuvia day and with a wide decrative pattern, with www.fondoambiente.it/luoghi in Cassano Valcuvia must be pointed out, tel. 0332995519 sophisticated frescoes of Magatti, an artist e-mail: [email protected] the Costruzioni presso Masciago, the one www.provincia.va.it/lineacadornavarese from Varese. The villa maintains, as is the Guided tours can be organised for groups of up to a tradition in Lombardy, an open courtyard, with maximum of 25 people, only with prior booking.

The Villa della Porta Bozzolo

22 23 The Cycle lanes of the lakes of CYCLE GUIDE LECCO, COMO and VARESE

BIKE SALES AND REPAIR SOME PROPOSALS FOR TOURIST TREKKING

Ballardin Luciano bicycle repairs Cadegliano Viconago: Linea Cadorna For those who love nature, mountain biking via Luino, 53 - 21037 Lavena Ponte Tresa (VA) path 2: Viconago - Monte Mezzano - Pian and trekking, it must be noted that the tel. 0332551875 della Nave - Monte Sette. Takes 3 hours and districts of Valcuvia, are characterised by (Bicycles can be hired, but there are few and it would have to be concurred) is 7 km. the presence of excellent pathways and by Marchirolo: Linea Cadorna path 1: routes of international value. Botteon Luigi bicycle sales and repairs Marchirolo - Monte La Nave, takes 2,30 The Sentiero del Giubileo (which links the via Appennini, 34 - 21034 Cocquio Trevisago (VA) hours and is 6 km. districts of Lavena Ponte Tresa, Cugliate tel. 0332771709 Valganna: You join on the cycle route Fabiasco, Cunardo, and Valganna), the Casa del Ciclo e del pneumatico di Corigliano Giuseppe created by the Province of Varese in Sentiero confi nale (a link with the district sales, fi tting and repairs collaboration with CTS, that crosses Ganna, of Marchirolo), the itinerary naturalistico viale Marconi, 25 - 21037 Lavena Ponte Tresa (VA) Ghirla, Cunardo, Ferrera, , E1 (links the districts of Valganna, Bedero, tel. 0332550422 and then return to Ganna. Valcuvia, and Brinzio), (Itinerary for cycling tourists in the Province the Anulare valcuviano (links the districts of Varese, CTS and the Province of Varese). of Cassano Valcuvia, Rancio Valcuvia, Cuveglio: The itinerary leaves from Cuveglio Casalzuigno, Brenta, Cittilgio, Duno, OTHER SPORTING ACTIVITIES for Duno - S. Martino - Monte della Colonna Castello Cabiaglio, Orino, Laverno), the Via For who wants to spend a day immersed in the countryside, while doing sport: - S. Antonio-Arcumeggia - Cuveglio (itinerary Verde Varesina (links the districts of Cassano for cycling tourists in the Province of Varese, Valcuvia, Casalzuigno, Cittiglio, Duno, The district HORSERIDING: Az. Agricola Salice Andrea CTS and the Province of Varese). Orino, Laveno) and the pathway of Campo tel. 3493213907 of Cadegliano Viconago Cugliate Fabiasco: Departing from the town dei Fiori (links the districts of Valganna, hall you climb an asphalted road to the refuge Brinzio, Castello Cabiaglio, and Orino). The district FISHING: Az. Agricola La Sorgente of Monte Sette Termini, Pian della Nave, Alpe of Cassano Valcuvia di Bardelli Giorgio Cognolo, Alpe del Campogino, Rifugio Monte For further information, a map of route 3V tel. 0332995720 Sette Termini ( itinerary for cycling tourists in the can be obtained from the region, while Province of Varese, CTS and the Province of the internet sites of the mountain sites The district FISHING: Az. Agricola Lago d’Oro Varese). of Valganna and Valmarchirolo and of of Cuveglio di Papandrea Cosimo Cittiglio: You join on the route that continues Valcuvia, can be consulted for more news tel. 0332650572 towards Vararo - S. Antonio - Casazuigno and about the paths. returns to Cittiglio. The district WATER SPORTS: Canottieri Laveno of Laveno Mombello tel. 0332667825 Cerro Sportiva (canoeing) tel. 0332629229 TYPICAL REFRESHMENT Club Velico Est Verbano For information about the complete list of restaurants along the route, consult the site tel. 0332667588 www.vareselandoftourism.it or ask at the Tourist Information Offi ces (listed in Ricettività) for the Circolo Velico Medio Verbano guide “A tavola in Provincia di Varese, guida ai ristoranti, pizzerie e trattorie”. tel. 0332629010

24 25 The Cycle lanes of the lakes of CYCLE GUIDE LECCO, COMO and VARESE

TOURIST INFORMATION ACCOMMODATION LOCALITY TYPOLOGY STRUCTURE ADDRESS TELEPHONE For further information consult our web site http://www.vareselandoftourism.it/ or ask for the “Guida all’ospitalità in Provincia di Varese” which can be found at the following:

Lavena Ponte Tresa hotels Du Lac v.le Ungheria, 19 0332550308 Tourist Information Offi ce of Cuveglio (open from June to September) via Battaglia di San Martino, 114 - Cuveglio hotels Carillon via Grumello, 4 0332550311 tel. 0332651343

hotels Dei Pini via Libertà, 9 0332550627 Tourist Information Offi ce of Varese camping International via Marconi, 16 0332550117 via C. Carrobbio, 2 - Varese tel. 0332283604 - e-mail:[email protected] Cadegliano Viconago hotels Stampa via Stampa, 3 0332591152 Tourist Information Offi ce of Marchirolo hotels Drive Hotel Pegaso via Statale, 27 0332997139 Piazza Dante, 1 - Gavirate 0332744707 e-mail:uffi [email protected] B&B Basilicon via P. Bozzolo, 14 0332723868 tel. -

Valganna rented rooms Villa Cesarina via Cattaneo, 33 0332719721

Cunardo hotels Delle Arti via Luinese, 18 0332715002

hotels La Vignazza via Baraggia, 17 0332716192

holiday farms Tenuta del Maglio via del Maglio, 15 0332716439

Cassano Valcuvia holiday farms Al Cavallino Bianco via per Ferrera, 50 0332995508

Cuveglio hotels Bussoladue via Provinciale, 3 0332651661

Cuvio hotels Corona via Largo Coppia, 6 0332624150

Azzio B&B Il Mulino loc. Mulino Dolza 0332631006

Casalzuigno B&B Antico Borgo Sanda via Sanda, 16 0332651992

B&B Il Cortile via Libertà, 87 0332618029

Brenta rented rooms Capriccio di Pizza via Valcuvia,10 0332601486

Cittiglio hotels La Bussola via Marconi, 26/28 0332602291

hotels Cristallo via Provinciale, 75 0332601336

The protected area of Valganna

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