Walking along the amazing west shore of Lake Maggiore

Along the west shore of Lake Maggiore, one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy surrounded by romantic medieval hamlets

Country sightseeing tour - Scenic Drive - North Italy - Piedmont

Itinerary: Intra, Ghiffa, Cannero Riviera, Cannobio

Lake Maggiore (pic n°1), a Pre-Alpine lake and the second biggest lake in Italy, stretches over a 65-kilometer area in Piedmont, Lombardy and beyond the Swiss border as well. Nestled among high peaks and mountainous landscapes, the lake is also named Verbano because of the many plants of verbena that grow all around the lake.

Lake Maggiore is very popular among nature lovers, as it boasts a thriving flora and lush Mediterranean vegetation. Also, thanks to a mild climate, many plants such as magnolias, rhododendrons, and camellias are in bloom from mid-April. Lake Maggiore is also a perfect destination for those who want to explore the surrounding villages that overlook its shore, from the lively and fashionable Intra (pic n°2) to the cozy and romantic Cannobio (pic n°4).

The tour starts from the town of Intra (pic n°2), a mixture of traditional architecture and fashion shops that are a usual destination of wealthy foreign customers. The Saturday-morning market, which sells clothes and typical Italian products, is a must-see.

Intra is a very picturesque village with nice buildings, churches, such as Basilica of San Vittore (pic n°5), lovely alleys and courtyards. Do not forget to pay a visit to the Imbarcadero, a beautiful Liberty-Neoclassical pier made of wrought iron that overlooks Piazza Mazzini, the main square of the town. The promenade along the lake, a pedestrian area surrounded by plants, is an amazing place where to have a peaceful walk.

Along the tour, there are many villages of interest where to stop and spend a little time visiting them, such as Ghiffa, Cannero Riviera, and Cannobio.
Ghiffa is located on the slope of Sacro Monte, a beautiful natural reserve which also houses a shrine dedicated to the Holy Trinity.

Cannero Riviera is a nice village where to enjoy spectacular views over the lake.
This tour will end in Cannobio (pic n°4), one of the last towns in Italy before the Swiss border. Cannobio is a little gem located along the lake, featuring charming old houses and narrow pebble-paved streets.

Stars: Intra
Ends: Cannobio
Length of tour: 20.2 km

Places of interest to visit during this trip:

Lake Maggiore (pic n°1); In Intra (pic n°2): the old Pier in wrought iron (pic n°3), the Basilica of San Vittore (pic n°5); In Ghiffa: the Sacro Monte of the Holy Trinity at the foot of Mount Carciago; Cannero Riviera: The medieval Hamlet; Cannobio (pic n°4): the Orrido of St Anna - 3 km from Cannobio (pic n°6) with Church St Anna;