Nearby Attractions

Lake Maggiore (30 minutes to Verbania and various distances around the lake)
Lake Maggiore offers natural scenic beauty, a mild climate and many attractions of cultural and historical interest. It boasts a variety of botanical gardens, such as Villa Taranto and Isola Madre, numerous villas such as Isola Bella's Palazzo Borromeo and Villa San Remigio, castles such as the Castelli di Cannero and Rocca di Angera and sanctuaries such as the Eremo of Santa Caterina del Sasso and the Santa Trinità of Ghiffa. Swimming is also a favourite pass time in the summer. The northern end of the lake is within the Swiss Canton Ticino.

Lake Mergozzo (45 minutes)
This small lake, adjacent to Lake Maggiore is quiet and pristine. In the summer it is a popular place for sunbathing and swimming. On the north western shore is the picturesque small town of Mergozzo.

Lake Orta (1 hour)
The Lago d' Orta is a picturesque lake situated west of Lake Maggiore. On its eastern shore is the town of Orta San Giulio, dominated by the Sacred Mount, with its 20 frescoed chapels. On the small island of San Giulio, the Basilica of the same name is found, dating back to the 4th century and rebuilt in the 9th and 11th centuries.

Il Parco del Mottarone (1 hour and a half from Cicogna to the top)
The Mottarone is a beautiful mountain, touching 1,500m, which is located between Lakes Maggiore, Orta and Mergozzo. The top is lush with vegetation in the summer and has snow cover in the winter. The views are breathtaking, over the surrounding plains, which are dotted with lakes and hills, and towards the Alps. The Mottarone is reachable by road from both sides, from Lake Maggiore (the last section is a toll road) and from Lake Orta. There is also a cable car from the town of Stresa, which is known as "the Pearl of Lake Maggiore". The Mottarone is ideal for relaxing, taking walks through woods and meadows during the summer and for winter sports during the winter.

Macugnaga, Valle Anzasca - Oasi Faunistica del Monte Rosa (1 hour and a half)
Macugnaga is located at the foot of Monte Rosa, the second highest mountain in Europe (4,637m). It is a beautiful village of traditional Walser houses (its people originating from across the mountains in Switzerland) in a stunning natural setting. It offers many walking opportunities in the summer and both down hill and cross-country skiing in the winter. The chair lift to Belvedere enables you to see the glacier at close range and walk across it to the rifugio of Zamboni or to the Naturalist Path to the opposite side, where chamois and marmots are often seen. The hamlet of Isella is probably the most picturesque corner of Macugnaga, with its very ancient wooden houses, some on mushroom shaped stilts. From here, a walk through the woods, takes you to the Lago delle Fate (Lake of the Fairies) with its turquoise waters reflecting the surrounding mountains. Amazing views of Monte Rosa and across to Switzerland can be enjoyed from Monte Moro (3,000m), reachable by cable car.

Parco Naturale Veglia-Devero (Cicogna-San Domenico 1 hour and a half, Cicogna-Devero 1 hour and a half)
This park is characterised by wide valleys, pastures, woods, streams, lakes and waterfalls and is surrounded by 3,000m mountains, which mark the border with Switzerland. From the end of the road at San Domenico, the Alpe Veglia is reachable on foot (2 hrs) or partly by chair lift and partly on foot on a panoramic trail (2 hrs in total). It is possible to get to the Alpe Devero by car or on foot following the old path from Goglio (1 ½ hr).

Val Formazza (1 hour and a half)
It is a beautiful valley of pine woods and lakes, surrounded by high mountains and rich in rivers and glaciers. One of the highlights is the 143m high waterfall of the Toce River, which supplies Lake Maggiore. Near the top of the waterfall is the hamlet of Riale, located on a plain, which is popular for cross-country skiing in the winter.