Highlands Lakes

You will walk along a historic path for all and practicable in every season allowing to visit military artifacts of great beauty such as the  "barracks", half way up the hill, and the spectacular “powder house”, at the arrival.

But you will also see some retaining walls and  stone channels, skillfully worked curbs.

The route can also be cycled by MTB.

Route Description

From the car park in Prà Michelaccio di Mergozzo walk along the road for about 100m towards Gravellona and take the asphalted road on the left with the sign "per le fortificazioni militari".

After about 200m of ascent the road becomes a track and here starts the  real military entrenchment road, recently restored.

You go up on a constant slope and after a few bends you reach the first barracks made of blocks of stone, set in a narrow small valley.

The itinerary continues on a track, and after a succession of military artifacts of great beauty and characterized by the skillfull use of stone, reaches the “powder house” (Lagonello Sotto 610m).

From here you can admire the spectacular rock wall and carefully visit the “powder house” and the “barracks”.

It is possible to climb to the peak of Monte Orfano (beautiful balcony over the Lower Ossola and Lake Maggiore– 794m 30 minutes) or go back to where you started.

Once arrived at the first barracks it is possible to turn right and go down to Mergozzo along the track, or go back to Prà Michelaccio.