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Lake Orta to Lake Maggiore

Green slopes & shimmering waters
 
Marvel at the dramatic fusion of mountains and lakes, as you walk self-guided from hotel to hotel from the shores of little-known Lake Orta to magnificent Lake Maggiore. Your luggage is transported ahead as you walk, leaving you free to focus on the far-reaching views.
Lake Orta to Lake Maggiore . 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Lake Orta to Lake Maggiore . 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday to Lake Maggiore

Romantic, picturesque and enjoying a mild climate, Maggiore and its smaller neighbour, Orta, embody the very essence of the Italian Lakes. Pretty medieval villages and elegant resorts are dotted along the shores, behind which rise slopes clad in olive groves and peaceful chestnut and beech woods. This is a landscape dominated by blues and greens, enhanced by the pinks, yellows and oranges of mimosa, azaleas, camellias, citrus fruit and brightly painted villas.
Although the two lakes are just a spectacular day’s walk apart, they could not be more different: charming Orta is small and little-known, while famous Maggiore is five times longer, forging its way through ever more mountainous scenery as it stretches across the border into Switzerland. Both offer excellent walking, with ever-changing panoramas, but this holiday is about more than just walking – there is also time to explore the lakeside towns and villages in which you stay, to visit luxuriant gardens and Baroque palaces, to travel by ferry across the lake, and to sample Piedmont's renowned wines, including Barolo and Barbera d’Alba.
 

Book now for autumn 2020 or summer 2021

The easing of travel restrictions for UK citizens means that we are resuming this holiday from the start of September 2020.

Looking further ahead, we are keeping our prices the same, so you can book for summer 2021 at 2020 prices.

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 5 7 11 15 19 23 26 25 21 16 10 6
    mm 64 70 91 117 148 132 105 129 111 121 109 60
  • Arrival in Pettenasco
    Night 1: at Hotel Ristorante Giardinetto (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Linear walk to Orta San Giulio (return by boat/train): 9km, 3.5hrs; ascent / descent 370m
    This wonderful introductory walk explores the picturesque hillside villages to the east of Pettenasco – including Legro, where many murals by contemporary artists decorate the village walls – as it leads you to the charming lakeside village of Orta San Giulio. Take time to explore the medieval centre, where picturesque cobbled streets are lined with villas dating from the 16th to 18th centuries, before returning to Pettenasco by boat or train.
    Linear walk to Orta San Giulio (return by boat/train): 9km
    Orta San Giulio
  • Pettenasco to Stresa via Gignese: 10km, 4hrs; ascent 240m / descent 700m
    Today’s route entails a real sense of journey and adventure as you set off towards Lake Maggiore. First you are transferred along the Agogna Valley to Gignese, a panoramic village set between the two lakes, then from here you walk north towards the Giardino Alpinia in Alpino. Take your time to explore this botanical garden and to enjoy the spectacular views over Lake Maggiore before making your descent towards Stresa via a string of tiny hillside hamlets. In Stresa, you stay at the Hotel du Parc for two nights; or you can choose to upgrade to the stylish lakeside Hotel La Luna Nel Porto.
    Pettenasco to Stresa via Gignese: 10km
    Approaching Stresa
  • Linear walk to Belgirate: 7km, 3hrs; ascent / descent 360m
    We provide notes for a half-day walk through the foothills to the neighbouring village of Belgirate where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch before returning by ferry.

    However, you may prefer to spend the day in Stresa, which is an intriguing place to explore. You can easily while away a couple of hours in the grounds of the Villa Pallavicino, with their flower-lined avenues, ancient trees and exotic birds which roam freely across the estate.

    Or why not take a boat to Isola Bella? Just a stone’s throw away across the water, this lovely isle is dominated by an elaborate Baroque palace set amid glorious terraced gardens planted with a wide variety of flowers and dotted with fountains and statues. Yet another option is to take a cable car to the peak of Il Mottarone (1,491 metres) for extensive views over the Monte Rosa mountains with the snow-capped Swiss and Italian Alps in the far distance and Lakes Orta and Maggiore down below. With so many choices, an extra night here is recommended.
    Linear walk to Belgirate: 7km
    Gardens on Isola Bella, reached by boat from Stresa
  • Explore Stresa, then take the boat to Cannero
    You have the morning to further explore Stresa – we recommend taking a cable car to the Alpine Botanic Gardens above the town, which, as well as boasting around 1,000 alpine flowers, command superb views over Lake Maggiore from the broad terrace.

    You then travel across the water to your final base, Cannero, on the dramatic northern shores of Maggiore, enjoying a new perspective of the lake and surrounding mountains. A direct afternoon service operates daily except at the very start and end of the season, when you can choose to catch an early morning boat or take a shorter afternoon ferry and continue by taxi. You are warmly welcomed at the Hotel Cannero, which is located right on the waterfront.
    View from the boat en route to Cannero
  • Choice of walks around Cannero: 7km or 9km

    Cannero to Cannobio: 7km, 3hrs; ascent / descent 505m
    Well-maintained paths on the hillsides immediately behind the town lead to Carmine Superiore, a beautifully preserved village of medieval origin, accessible only on foot. You continue north across the slopes to reach Molineggi, and then on to the lakeside town of Cannobio. The return to Cannero by boat makes a fitting end (please check latest timetable locally).

    Ancient rural villages of Upper Cannero: 7km, 3hrs; ascent / descent 445m
    From Cannero, you ascend directly into the hills behind the town to reach two characteristic mountain villages perched on panoramic slopes overlooking the lake.

    Across the border to Ticino: 9km, 4hrs; ascent / descent 640m
    After an initial bus journey over the border to Brissago in Switzerland – remember to take your passports! – you follow a delightfully relaxed route across panoramic and fragrant hillsides to reach the elegant town of Ascona. Return to Cannero down the lake by boat changing at Cannobio (the return boat to be checked locally before departure especially low season).
    Cannero to Cannobio: 7km
    Ancient rural villages of Upper Cannero: 7km
    Views across Cannero
    Across the border to Ticino: 9km
 

Accommodation

Two hotels are located right on the shores of the lakes, while the other is set in delightful gardens.

To make your holiday all the more special, opt for our upgrade hotel in Stresa. Please indicate your preference at the time of booking. Whichever hotel you choose, it is worth adding an extra night in Stresa to give you more time to explore.
 

Summer 2021

We are keeping our prices the same, so you can book for summer 2021 at 2020 prices.
 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 01 April 2020 - 31 July 2020 & 18 August 2020 - 20 October 2020

    Start any day* | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Apr 2020 £995 £355
    1 - 21 May 2020 £1030 £365
    22 May - 24 Jul 2020 £1065 £375
    18 Aug - 20 Sep 2020 £1065 £375
    21 Sep - 6 Oct 2020 £1030 £365
    7 - 13 Oct 2020 £970 £365
    3rd & 4th person discount -£60
    Single traveller supplement £60

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    *Start dates
    Any day, but at the very start and end of the season there is no direct boat service to Cannero (a shorter boat and taxi operates instead)

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • 7 nights, staying at Hotel La Luna Nel Porto: 01 April 2020 - 31 July 2020 & 18 August 2020 - 20 October 2020

    Start any day* | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Apr 2020 £1070 £445
    1 - 21 May 2020 £1105 £455
    22 May - 24 Jul 2020 £1140 £465
    18 Aug - 20 Sep 2020 £1140 £465
    21 Sep - 6 Oct 2020 £1105 £455
    7 - 13 Oct 2020 £1045 £455
    3rd & 4th person discount -£60
    Single traveller supplement £60

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    *Start dates
    Any day, but at the very start and end of the season there is no direct boat service to Cannero (a shorter boat and taxi operates instead)

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Ristorante Giardinetto, Pettenasco
    Superior with lake view: 01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £8
    Superior with lake view: 18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £8
    Hotel Cannero, Cannero
    'Senior' with side view lake: 01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £16
    'Senior' with side view lake: 18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £16
    Superior with lake view: 01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £28
    Superior with lake view: 18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £28

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel du Parc, Stresa (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £78 £130
    18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £78 £130
    Hotel Cannero, Cannero (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £122 £174
    18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £122 £174

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Ristorante Giardinetto, Pettenasco
    Superior with lake view: 01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £8
    Superior with lake view: 18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £8
    Hotel Cannero, Cannero
    'Senior' with side view lake: 01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £16
    'Senior' with side view lake: 18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £16
    Superior with lake view: 01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £28
    Superior with lake view: 18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £28

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel La Luna Nel Porto, Stresa (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £114 £210
    18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £114 £210
    Hotel Cannero, Cannero (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 31 Jul 2020 £122 £174
    18 Aug - 20 Oct 2020 £122 £174
  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Milan Linate

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Milan Centrale to Pettenasco (2h-2h15), hotel transfer Pettenasco to hotel (0h05) £10 1600
    rail Milan Centrale to Arona (1h10), hotel transfer Arona to hotel (0h35) £8 1600
    hotel transfer Linate airport to hotel (1h15) £94 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Stresa (1h), rail Stresa to Milan Centrale (1h) £58 1300
    direct taxi hotel to Linate airport (2h) £120 flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Milan Malpensa

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    hotel transfer Malpensa airport to hotel (0h50) £63 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Intra (0h20), bus Intra to Malpensa airport (1h30, pay locally) £20 1300
    direct taxi hotel to Malpensa airport (1h30) £77 flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Bergamo

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Bergamo to Pettenasco (3h15 - 3h30), hotel transfer Pettenasco to hotel (0h05) £14 1200
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    hotel transfer to Stresa (1h), rail Stresa to Bergamo (2h45) £58 1400
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 5 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transfers
  • route notes and maps
  • boat Stresa to Cannero
  • transfer on Day 2
Last fetch time is : 8/4/2020 5:53:39 AM