Hiking

Nearby hiking areas

Car time [min]	Area	Routes
10	San Quirico	The perfect spot for an after-work stroll! Starting from Uponne, Ranco, or Angera, you can hike up to the summit of San Quirico, where a small church and peaceful views over Angera and Lake Maggiore await.
20-50	Campo dei Fiori	The Campo dei Fiori Regional Park offers easy hikes for families such as the sentiero delle sculture (starting from Caldana), the sentiero 10 (from Velate to Comerio) or the panoramic route from Campo dei Fiori to Forte de Orino (starting from Osteria Irma parking)
20-50	Cuvignone area	The mountain range around the Cuvignone pass offers entry-level panoramic hikes such as the Sasso del Ferro (from Vararo), the Pizzoni di Laveno loop (from Vararo) or Monte Nudo (from Cuvignone). Those looking for more demanding hikes can start directly from Laveno, tackling the mulatiera of the vertical kilometer below the cable car to Sasso del Ferro.
50	Cinque Vette	The Cinque Vette Regional Park offers several entry-level hikes through dense forests and past remnants of the historic Cadorna Line, including the Monte Piambello route from Marzio and the Punta Paradiso trail from Caravagno.
60	Mottarone	The Mottarone is a panoramic mountain on the other side of Lake Maggiore. The top of the mountain has panoramic views of Lake Maggiore and Monte Rosa and offers multiple facilities for families such as a restaurant, a mountain coaster, and entry-level hikes. Those looking for more challenging hikes can tackle the Mottarone ascent from Levo, Gignese or Omegna.
70-90	Lema-Tamaro	The Lema–Tamaro group is a mountain range north of Ispra, offering sweeping views over both Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore. Easy hikes in the area include the ascent to Monte Lema from Alpe Pradecolo and Monte Tamaro from Alpe Neggia. The Lema–Tamaro traverse can be completed using the cable cars and local bus service. Other beginner-friendly options include Monte Croveto from the Forcora Pass (a popular sledding spot in winter), the secluded village of Monteviasco, and Monte Gambarogno from Alpe Neggia.
70	Monte Generoso	A panoramic mountain in the Ticino region that can be easily accessible from Bellavista. The mountain top has a bar and offers panoramic views over Lugano.
70	Val Strona	A peaceful valley stretching from Lake Orta offers mid- to advanced-level hikes to peaks such as Cappezzone and Monte Capio (from Campello Monti), Monte Massone (from Alpe Cortevecchio), and Monte Cerano (from Alpe Quaggione). Families can also enjoy a pleasant day in Campello Monti, the last village in the valley, discovering the origins of the Walser people.
75-95	Val Grande	Val Grande National Park considered Italy’s largest wilderness area, thanks to its complete absence of roads and human settlements. Access to Val Grande requires at least a basic level of hiking experience due to its technical terrain, remote nature, and challenging navigation. The park offers several mountain shelters (bivacchi), making it possible to plan multi-day hikes such as the renowned Traversata or the Sentiero Bove. For beginners, the most accessible routes include Pogallo (from Cicogna), Pian Cavallone (from Alpe Pala), Pian Viada (from Alpe Colle), and Alpe Scaredi (from Val Loana).
90	Val Anzasca	The east face of Monte Rosa is the highest wall in the Alps, rising more than 2,500 meters. To admire this spectacular sight up close, head to the village of Macugnaga. From there, two cable car start. One brings you to Passo del Monte Moro, in front of the wall. The Belvedere cable car followed by a familiy-level hike brings you to rifugio Zamboni-Zappa, below the wall. From the rifugio, more experienced hikers can continue on to the scenic Locce Lake.
90	Val Antrona	The Alta Valle Antrona Regional Park offers beginner-friendly hikes such as the Antrona Lake loop or the walk to Rifugio Andolla from Cheggio, passing by the Cavalli Lake. More experienced hikers can continue on to the Campiccioli and Camposecco lakes, or tackle the high peaks on the Swiss border, including Punta di Saas and Pizzo Cingino.
90	Val Bognanco	A tranquil valley near Domodossola, Alpe San Bernardo is an ideal spot for families to enjoy a summer day. From here, more experienced hikers can set out toward the Variola lakes, the Paione lakes, or the Gattascosa Rifugio.
95	Val Verzasca	A charming valley in the Ticino region, perfect for families, with easy hiking and biking trails that follow the beautiful Verzasca River.
100	Alpe Devero	The Alpe Veglia and Alpe Devero Regional Park can be reached from San Domenico (for Alpe Veglia) or Croveo (for Alpe Devero). Both areas offer gentle, family-friendly hikes such as the Lago di Devero loop or the trail from San Domenico to Alpe Veglia. In winter, Alpe Devero also becomes a perfect destination for snowshoeing.
120	Val Formazza	The northernmost part of Val d’Ossola offers charming villages such as Formazza and Riale, the spectacular Toce Waterfalls, and easy trails to Lago di Morasco and Lago Castel, perfect for families. Experienced hikers can venture to the higher lakes and peaks along the Swiss border or take on the traverse from Riale to Alpe Devero.

Planning and navigation platforms

Platform	Description
Gulliver	Italy’s largest collaborative platform for outdoor sports featuring an extensive collection of hiking routes with up-to-date comments on trail conditions. Interactive map to filter routes by CAI grade and elevation gain.
Wikiloc	A global collaborative platform for outdoor sports (hiking, cycling) offering GPS tracks for all the activities. The mobile app features outdoor navigation and live tracking.
Komoot	Global platform for planning outdoor adventures like hiking, cycling. It offers detailed maps, GPS tracks, and personalized route planning based on fitness and terrain. The mobile app includes offline navigation and live tracking.

Trail grades

The Club Alpino Italiano’s (CAI) difficulty system categorizes all hiking trails for your safety and guidance.

Grade	Description
T (Turistico)	- Characteristics: Routes on dirt roads, mule tracks, or clear paths that present no uncertainties or orientation problems, with modest inclines and contained elevation changes. - Skills: Basic hiking knowledge and physical fitness for walking. - Equipment: Appropriate clothing and footwear.
E (Escursionistico)	- Characteristics: These routes represent the majority of hiking itineraries and are thus the most varied in terms of natural environments. They take place on mule tracks, paths, and sometimes faint trails, across diverse terrain with varying geomorphological and vegetation contexts (e.g., pastures, undergrowth, scree, rocky areas). They are generally marked and may include steep sections. You might encounter easy, unexposed rock passages where you'll need to use your hands for balance. Any exposed points are typically protected. They may cross flat or gently sloping areas with residual snow. - Skills: Sense of direction, hiking experience, and adequate training. - Equipment:: Suitable gear is required, with particular attention to footwear.
EE (Escursionisti Esperti )	- Characteristics: These routes demand the ability to navigate paths and tracks over challenging and/or treacherous terrain (steep and/or slippery grassy slopes, small rocks, or stony scree), often unstable and uneven. They may feature exposed sections, traverses, ledges, or rocky stretches with minor technical difficulties and/or fixed ropes/chains (true via ferratas are excluded). They generally involve medium to high gradients. - Skills: Excellent hiking experience, strong navigation skills, knowledge of mountain environments, a steady gait, and no fear of heights. Good judgment, decision-making abilities, and adequate physical preparation are also essential. - Equipment: Appropriate gear and equipment for the demanding itinerary planned.
EEA (Escursionisti Esperti con Attrezzatura )	A "via ferrata" refers to a route where rocky sections are specifically equipped with metal structures such as cables, chains, ladders, footholds, and rungs, which facilitate and enable progression. These routes require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) certified according to current regulations (harness, via ferrata kit, and helmet) and adequate technical preparation. They are indicated at the start by a specific sign and adhere to precise construction and regulatory criteria.