Highlands Lakes

The Montorfano, embraced by the Lake of Mergozzo, the Lake Maggiore and the River Toce, emerges from the flood plain of the Toce.

It is a single block of granite, pure rock, marked by centuries of mining activities but also by the hard life of people that lived there.

Walking on its paved paths you will feel a symphony of emotions:a Romanesque Church with early christian baptismal font, abbandoned stone quarries, scenic spots smoothed by the action of the glacier, military roads.

Unforgettable.

Route Description

From the centre of Mergozzo go down to the lake front, where the big elm has been the meeting place of the community for centuries.

Briefly climb via Borzoni and, to the left, via Nostrani.

At a crossroads it turns left in via Montorfano, going out of the town.

Follow the signs for the blue trail “Sentiero Azzurro”, before continuing on a track and then along a trail by the lakeside, slightly in height relative to the shore, finding suggestive panoramic views and the fresh water source called "del Vescovo", the bishop’s source.

After reaching the road going up shortly to the hamlet of Montorfano, with the ancient Romanesque Church of San Giovanni Battista from the 11th – 12th centuries, which is worth a visit.

Continue towards the Montorfano’s peak,that you will reach crossing through the remains of ancient granite quarries,with spectacular slides made of stone used to bring downstream the stone blocks.

From the peak go down the military mule track perfectly preserved until you reach the "Polveriera", the powder house, set in the rock and in a spectacular context.

From the "Polveriera " the descent becomes softer following the military road recently restored leading shortly to the crossroads with the track returning back to a Mergozzo, crossing woods and fields at the base of Montorfano.