Overview
A six day, self-guided walking holiday around the Italian Lakes district in the Piedmont region, with a focus on Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore. You are based in Stresa, on the shores of Lake Maggiore for two nights, and then head up to the mountain town of Mottarone for one night, which has great views of Lake Maggiore. The trip comes to a close in Orta San Giulio, on the eastern bank of Lake Orta. This walking holiday also includes walking trails on the three Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore. Accommodation is in small, locally-owned hotels and guesthouses, with luggage transfers.
- Lake Maggiore
- Lake Orta
- Stresa
- Borromean Islands
- Mount Mottarone
- Orta San Giulio
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival on Lake Maggiore
When you arrive in Stresa, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, we recommend taking a walk along the lakeside just to take in this resort town’s beauty. Lined with 19th-century building and hotels, such as the one where Hemingway famously stayed, explore the town’s traditional narrow streets and, if you arrive on a Friday, the morning market is a feast of local produce. There are several swimming spots along Stresa’s waterfront promenade where you can enter the lake and go for a swim.
- Accommodation: Hotel Mon Toc or similar in Stresa
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Primavera or similar in Stresa
Day 2: Borromean Islands
Boat transfer (included) to the three Borromean Islands (entrance fees payable locally). The boat runs all day between Stresa and the three islands. Visit each island and discover the history of the Borromeo family and their influence on Italian and French history. Isola Bella, for example, is celebrated for its 17th-century palace. While in Isola Madre visit Giordino Botanico which has some stunning gardens. And finally, Isola dei Pescatori, home to a fishing village and the only inhabited island. Explore the narrow streets, fishermen’s houses and restaurants. Boat transfer back to Stresa (included).
- Walking for the day: Visit of the three Borromean islands, 4-5h
- Accommodation: Hotel Mon Toc or similar in Stresa
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Primavera or similar in Stresa
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 3: Chestnut Trail | 8km
Today you walk on a route known as the Chestnut Trail which offers views over the lake. It starts from Stresa and ends in Belgirate, a village with traditional houses along a Roman trail with several old chapels along the way. Return by boat or train to Stresa (payable locally). At the end of the walking day, you are transferred to the summit Mount Mottarone (1,489m). The accommodation for the night is a mountain refuge with private rooms, which serves traditional Italian dinner.
- Walking for the day: 8km, 3-4h, ↑200m, ↓200m
- Accommodation: Casa della Neve or similar in Mottarone
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Mount Mottarone | 10km
Hike up to the top of Mount Mottarone (1,491m), which offers a 360 degree panorama of the Alps, from Mount Viso to Mount Rose. In the afternoon, you are transferred (30mins) to Orta San Giulio to see Lake Orta, which is the smallest of the Italian lakes. Orta San Giulio is a small, pedestrianised village with old stone houses and mansions.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 3-4h, ↑200m, ↓200m
- Accommodation: Hotel Santa Caterina or similar in Orta San Giulio
- Upgraded accommodation: La Contrada dei Monti or similar in Orta San Giulio
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 5: Pella and Orta San Giulio | 10km
Walk to the lake pier and take a ferry across (included) to the small medieval village of Pella on the western shore. Walk with a panoramic view of the lake through forests and small hamlets. Upon arrival in Ronco, we recommend taking a swim in the lake. Take the boat (included) back to the small island of San Giulio, home to a basilica and a Benedictine convent. We recommend stopping for an Italian ice cream before continuing by boat (included) to Orta San Giulio.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 3-4h, ↑400m, ↓400m
- Accommodation: Hotel Santa Caterina or similar in Orta San Giulio
- Upgraded accommodation: La Contrada dei Monti or similar in Orta San Giulio
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 6: Departure
Departure after breakfast or onward stay.
- Meals included: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs or traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms, including the mountain refuge on day 3. There are optional upgrades available.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Mon Toc (Stresa)
- Casa della Neve (Mottarone)
- Hotel Santa Caterina (Orta San Giulio)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded accommodation
- Hotel Primavera (Stresa)
- La Contrada dei Monti (Orta San Giulio)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included throughout the trip. Dinner is included in Mottarone on day three. Lunch packs for the next day can be pre-ordered at each accommodation, or purchased along some routes. For dinner, you can visit one of the restaurants in the villages or order from the à la carte menu in your accommodation.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for walkers with a moderate level of fitness. The average walking distance is 8 to 10km per day on marked trails and cobbled streets with some elevation gains. This tour is rated easy (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road descriptions, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available departing any day of the week from March until the end of October. The weather in Northern Italy is generally pleasant, with the hottest months being July and August, with high temperatures of 30C. For more information, see our blog on the Best time to go to Italy.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date in the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this holiday is Malpensa Airport (MXP). An alternative airport is Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Italy without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with train stations in Stresa and Orta San Guilo. For more details, see the national rail operators Trenitalia and Italo or use the Omio planner above.
- From Malpensa Airport, catch bus 35 (1h), which takes you directly to Stresa. For more information, please visit S.A.F. or use the Omino planner above.
- From Milan Bergamo Airport, take the bus (50mins) to Milan Centrale. From there take a direct train (1h 4mins) to Stresa.
- From railway station Orta-Miasino in Orta San Guilo, the journey to Malpensa Airport takes approximately 3h by train, with changes in Navora and Milan Centrale. To get to Milan Bergamo Airport, take bus 141 from Milan Centrale.
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights accommodation
- 5 breakfasts and 1 dinner on day three
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- All boat and taxi transfers listed as included in the programme
- Detailed digital holiday information pack, including GPS-checked and regularly updated route notes and GPX tracks. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure, and no printed documents are mailed or provided locally
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners
- Return ticket on day three Belgirate – Stresa (by boat or train )
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Entrance fees for villas, gardens and tourist sites
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Hotel upgrade in Stresa and Orta San Guilo
