Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected]

Lake Maggiore The Italian Lakes - Maggiore and Orta

https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/lake-maggiore/

page 1/10 Route Summary

At a glance

Lake Maggiore 7 night option (the full walk). Add extra nights on Isola Pescatori or at Orta to enjoy each lake to the full, or on the top of the mountain (Mottarone). This walk has some short walks that can easily be condensed so if you're looking for a more challenging walk, please see our shorter options.

How much walking?

Full days: 9½-18km per day, 3½-5¾ hrs walking Using shortening options: The Stresa (Carciano) funicular (closed 2021 until further notice) could be used to avoid the walk to Gignese or to Mottarone. No other feasible shortening options (other than to miss whole days)

Max. Grade:

This walk – On Foot’s first in the Italian Lakes – brings the glory of the Alps to walkers of modest abilities. The area was the first Italian stop on the Grand Tour, and the resorts around Lake Maggiore developed early in a style pleasing to the eye. The three Borromean islands, notable for their gardens, are worth an extra day exploring via the frequent public ferries linking them.

Route Highlights

● The islands of Lake Maggiore – Pescatori, Bella and Madre ● Taking the ferry around Lake Maggiore ● The hike up to Mottarone ● Dining in a mountain-top hotel ● The chapels of Sacro Monte ● Orta San Giulio and the convent on the island ● A walk around Lake Orta

We Recommend

Extra nights at the start and finish to appreciate the lakes, and time in Orta to really explore the 20 chapels of Sacro Monte. Combine with a visit to Milan or explore Piedmont further.

page 2/10 Grading

Full days: 9½-18km per day, 3½-5¾ hrs walking Using shortening options: The Stresa (Carciano) funicular (closed 2021 until further notice) could be used to avoid the walk to Gignese or to Mottarone. No other feasible shortening options (other than to miss whole days) Mainly on signed paths and tracks, though with occasional quiet asphalt. Attention to written directions required. Highest point on route 1420m.

Easy-medium: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 535m (100m - 790m) per day. Some short days. NB: The cable car from Carciano to Mottarone (via Gignese) is currently closed so either take a taxi or be prepared to walk.

GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.

Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.

When to go

The season starts as early as April (though there can still be snow on Mottarone). A good time to go to the Lakes is May/June - it can get a little hot and crowded in July and August, but mid-September to the middle of October is a colourful time to enjoy pleasant walking weather. Late October is also possible and as the walks are not long, the lessening daylight is not an issue.

Note that for walkers who would like to dine at Villa Pizzini on Mottarone the restaurant is closed on Mondays from June to September, and Sundays/Mondays/Tuesdays the remainder of year.

Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability.

Itinerary

page 3/10 Day 1 - Arrive on Isola Pescatori

Your journey to this magical island on Lake Maggiore may be by train or by taxi but it will always end with a ferry - a boat trip makes the start of a holiday such a joy. Settle into your comfortable hotel and have an explore of the narrow streets of "Fishermen's Island".

Option

It's always best to factor in an extra day here if you can so that you can indulge yourselves both with exploring the lake and walking our featured first walk (see below)

Day 2 - Discovering Lake Maggiore

If you have not booked an extra day here, you have two choices - we recommend using the ferry system to explore the Borromean Islands - Bella and Madre and their gardens in particular, the old town and resort of Stresa, and even the Monastery of Santa Caterina del Sasso on the opposite shore of the lake.

Walkers may prefer our featured walk from Mergozzo to Pallanza, with a pretty path along Lake Mergozzo (3¾hr, 14½km, CUSs 540m), but you can decide when you are there.

Option

In place of this walk, or as an extra day, consider spending some time with Beatrice, our local contact and guide. who can show you the very best of Lake Maggiore and its surrounds. Explore the Borromean Islands, their gardens and palaces, and the villages around the shore. Full or half day tours available, from €250 per group of up to 10 people per full day, or €150 per half day, plus travel and entrances. Pay locally. See details here or contact On Foot.

Day 3 - Baveno to Gignese

Following a short ferry transfer to Baveno, the walk swiftly climbs and gains lovely views of the Borromean islands dotted across Lake Maggiore. Leave behind the grand lakeside villas and hotels, and pass through hamlets and woodland offering you a view of the simpler side of life. Ensure you save enough time for a visit to the ‘Giardina Alpina’, botanical gardens showcasing many species of rare alpine plants and a chance to see what’s widely regarded as one of the most spectacular views of the lake. A mule track and some quiet roads lead you to sleepy Gignese for the night. (3¾hr, 11km, CUSs 740m).

Alternatives: (Not currently possible). You can use the cable car (funivia) to take you from Carciano (Stresa’s smaller ferry dock, see map) to its middle station just before the Giardina Alpina. From there it’s an easy walk into Gignese.

Day 4 - Gignese to Mottarone

Today’s walk may not be very long but you’ll want to take your time as you leave Gignese to climb up through beech and chestnut woods to Mottarone, the highest point of the walk. Mottarone is known as the mountain of the lakes and you’ll see why as you ascend towards the top. From here you will have spectacular 360 degree views of six lakes, as well as the Alps (snow capped if you’re lucky) in the distance. (3½hr, 9½km, CUSs 790m)

Settle into your hotel before heading off to the very highest point to watch the sunset and its rainbow of colours from there.

Alternative: (Not currently possible). If you want to avoid the climb, retrace yesterday’s steps to the cable car’s middle station and let the cable car whisk you nearly to the top station. It’s just a short walk uphill to your accommodation from there.

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Day 5 - Mottarone to Armeno

An easy day to allow you plenty of time for a lazy breakfast and then to enjoy the views (or even a trip on the chair lift to the top of the peak) from Mottarone before setting off to Armeno for your next night’s stay. The first part of the day retraces the end of yesterday’s walk but gives you the chance to look at the views from another perspective. Then it’s downhill all the way on relatively gentle paths which lead through birch woodland and pasture to Armeno and its Romanesque church. (3¼hrs, 10km, CUSs 100m)

Day 6 - Armeno to Orta

Today’s walk takes you from Armeno, at the foot of Mottarone, and over a more gentle countryside to finally reach Lake Orta, but not before visiting some charming villages along the way, including Pisogno, Ameno and Lortallo. Follow the Ways of the Cross to Monte Mesma, a place of absolute peace and later, having passed through the quirkily painted village of Legro, climb up to the World Heritage site of Sacro Monte di Orta, with 20 chapels housing life-size statues that tell the story of Saint Francis.

From here it’s a short walk downhill to the main square in Orta, right on the edge of the lake and crammed with restaurants and bars.

Be warned, it’s not a long walk but with so much to see, don’t fall into the trap of starting out too late. (4hr, 14km, CUSs 500m)

Alternative: For those wishing to save time and to head straight to Orta, a direct route is available. (2¼hrs, 7km, CUSs 165m)

Day 7 - Lake Orta circuit

Today you will become especially well acquainted with mystical Lake Orta as you circumnavigate its shores and see it from many different viewpoints. Starting with a stroll along the promenade to loosen up your muscles, you then head uphill into the lovely old village of Corconio, with ancient Villa Bonala and some great lake views. A detour up to the medieval Buccione Tower comes next for some more views, before turning to explore the lake’s other face and reaching Lagna. You could take the ferry from here (but do check ferry times) or head onwards to Pella, via the town of Alzo, famous for its tap industry (!), for a more regular ferry service to Isola San Giulio and then back to Orta for the night. (5¾hr, 18km, CUSs 540m)

Alternatives: You can shorten this walk by stopping at Lagna but plan your timings carefully as there are fewer ferries back and not lots to do in Lagna if you miss one. Otherwise, use the excellent ferry service to explore the lake and to visit the island Isola San Giulio, which should not be missed.

Option

In place of Lake Orta circuit, or as an extra day, consider booking Beatrice to help you get the most out of your time in Orta. Here you can discover Sacro Monte di Orta (Unesco Site) and Isola San Giulio with its basilica and fascinating tales. Full or half day tours available, from €250 per group of up to 10 people per full day, or €150 per half day, plus travel and entrances. Pay locally. See details here or contact On Foot.

page 6/10 Travel Information

ARRIVING BY AIR

The best airports are Milan (Malpensa, followed by Linate and Bergamo), with connections from most regional airports in the UK and Ireland. Other international flights use Milan Malpensa.

Land By: 14:00 for Malpensa, 12:00 for Linate and 11:00 for Bergamo for public transport connections to Stresa/Baveno (for Isola Pescatori). Later flights to Malpensa possible with pre-booked taxi transfer.

Return flight earliest: 12:00 (Malpensa), 14:00 (other Milan airports) for connections from Orta (see transfer information below)

Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.

For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.

See “getting to the start of the walk” below for transfer information.

ARRIVING BY TRAIN

Nearest railway stations:

Start: Stresa (has the most connections) or Baveno (best for walk to ferry port) Finish: Orta-Miasino, or take a taxi to Stresa (30 mins) for more options

Sample rail journey via Paris:

TGV from Paris to either Geneva or Lausanne for overnight stop before travelling on to Stresa or Baveno the following day. Other route options include taking a high-speed TGV from Paris to Milan for an overnight stop and direct journey of approx 1 hr to Stresa or Baveno the following day. There is also a Thello sleeper train from Paris to Milan ~11 hrs, which is a budget option – expect cheap and cheerful rather than hotel-style standards!

We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information or raileurope.co.uk (formerly loco2.com) for times, prices and booking. reiseauskunft.bahn.de also shows full timetables. See also our blog on travelling to Lake Maggiore by train here.

ARRIVING BY CAR

Park at Hotel Cortese in Armeno (no charge). Taxi to start c.€50, and back at end c.€20 (both pay locally).

Getting to the start of the walk

page 7/10 The first accommodation is normally on Isola Pescatori. The last hotel is in Orta San Giulio. Transfer times and methods are suggested for the three Milan airports. For train arrival transfers see below.

Outwards: Train from Malpensa (shuttle/train from Linate or Bergamo) then short walk to ferry – 2½ hrs, shared shuttle (Alibus – 1 hr)/ferry from Milan Malpensa OR Pre-bookable taxi transfer (1 hr) from Milan Malpensa airport to ferry for Isola Pescatori.

Return: Train to Novara (direct) then shuttle to Malpensa (best), or to Milan (1-2 changes), then shuttles to all Milan airports, allow 3 hours in total, or pre-bookable taxi to Gravellona then shared shuttle to Malpensa only (allow 2½ hrs total) or pre-bookable taxi to Malpensa only (1 hr)

Transfers from train stations:

Outwards: From Stresa station 15 mins walk downhill to Stresa ferry port for Isola Pescatori, or five mins walk from Baveno station to Baveno ferry port.

Return: Orta-Miasino station is a short local taxi ride from your hotel.

For pre-bookable taxi costs, see “Prices”

Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.

Where You'll Stay

The range of accommodation on the complete route here is from the traditional “old resort” hotels in the village centre (Isola Pescatori and Orta), through restaurant with rooms over (Gignese), mountain top skiing hotel or “Villa” (Mottarone) to modern family run (Armeno). All rooms except for some in the “Villa” have ensuite facilities, and while none are luxurious all are comfortable.

Night 1 & 2 Isola Pescatori – Albergo Belvedere (B&B)

One of the oldest hotels on the island, quietly positioned and with a noted restaurant.

page 8/10 Night 3 Gignese – Osteria delle 3V (B&B)

Family run restaurant-with-rooms with great charm and good cooking. The rooms are simple, but comfortable. (This hotel has no wifi.)

Night 4 Mottarone – Villa Pizzini (B&B)

Ivan and Sabina have created this great little albergo at 1400m. Simple bedrooms, great position. Closed Sun/Mon/Tue (Mon, June-Sept). We recommend pre-booking the tasting menu (starts at c. approx €45/head for 4 courses, wines extra) - mandatory for tables of 5+, especially on Fri/Sat/Sun.

Night 5 Armeno – Hotel Cortese (B&B)

Marco's family hotel is a surprise - modern in style and facilities but old-fashioned in charm. A new restaurant promises well.

Night 6 & 7 Orta – Albergo Leon d’Oro (B&B)

Lakeside hotel in the heart of the village, and one of the oldest too. Quixotic charm, including breakfast service by Grandma. (This hotel has limited wifi.) Spa opening spring 2020.

page 9/10 Prices

Price: £895

Total 7 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support. Locally levied tourist taxes are not included.

All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.

Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £310 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £205 Maximum party size: 12

Add Ons

Extra nights in any hotel: Contact On Foot Holidays (seasonal pricing) Taxi from Milan Malpensa Airport to Stresa ferry port (for Isola Pescatori): From £120 1-3 pers, £140 4-8 pers Taxi from Orta San Giulio to Milan Malpensa Airport: From £90 Taxi from Orta San Giulio to Gravellona (for shared transfer to Milan Malpensa airport): From £36 Shared transfer from Gravellona to Milan Malpensa airport: ~€12 pp prebookable pay locally Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent)

On Foot Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Email: [email protected] Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom

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