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Cammino del Lago Maggiore: what it is and the 11 stages

The Cammino del Lago Maggiore is a circular hiking route that crosses three areas — Piedmont, Lombardy, and Canton Ticino — following the perimeter of Lake Maggiore and passing through villages, hills, sanctuaries, and breathtaking panoramic viewpoints.

It is a multi-stage walking route designed for those who want to discover the lake in a slow, sustainable, and nature-immersed way, away from the busiest tourist paths. It is not just a sporting itinerary, but a cultural and landscape experience that allows visitors to explore the region in depth.

What is the Cammino del Lago Maggiore

The Cammino del Lago Maggiore is a trekking route stretching approximately 230–250 kilometers, divided into several stages. It is designed as a circular route, meaning it can be started and completed at different points depending on personal needs.

The route mainly follows hilly trails and panoramic paths, avoiding busy roads whenever possible. This allows hikers to pass through:

small historic villages
protected natural areas
sanctuaries and votive chapels
panoramic terraces overlooking the lake

It is suitable for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness but does not require technical alpine skills.

How the Cammino del Lago Maggiore was created

The project was born from the idea of enhancing the Lake Maggiore area in a sustainable way, promoting slow tourism distributed along all shores of the lake. The goal was to create a route that would unite the different cultural identities of the region, connecting Italy and Switzerland in a single itinerary.

Over the years, the route has been structured and marked thanks to collaboration between local authorities, associations, and trekking enthusiasts, with the aim of offering a complete, safe, and well-organized experience. It is not strictly a religious pilgrimage, but it crosses numerous places of worship and historic viewpoints that reflect the spiritual traditions of the area.

The stages of the Cammino del Lago Maggiore

The Cammino del Lago Maggiore is generally divided into 11 stages, designed to cover the entire perimeter of the lake progressively and sustainably. The division may vary slightly depending on the guide or organization, but the structure remains similar: each stage covers on average 18 to 25 kilometers, with elevation gains alternating between hilly sections and gentler stretches.

The route mainly develops along panoramic trails, secondary roads, and historic paths, avoiding the busiest lakeside sections whenever possible. Among the most significant locations along the route are:

Sesto Calende
Arona
Stresa
Verbania
Cannobio
towns in Canton Ticino such as Locarno

Table of the 11 stages of the Cammino del Lago Maggiore

No.	Stage	Distance (km)	Elevation +	Difficulty	Main Features
1	Sesto Calende – Meina	24 km	~350 m	Medium	Sections along the Ticino River and first panoramic hills
2	Meina – Stresa	15 km	~330 m	Easy	Hilly route with views of the Borromean Islands
3	Stresa – Intra	24 km	~480 m	Medium	Elevated paths and views over the Piedmont shore
4	Intra – Cannobio	24 km	~800 m	Difficult	Forest climbs and wilder stretches
5	Cannobio – Ascona	20 km	~850 m	Medium	Crossing into Switzerland with alpine views
6	Ascona – Vira	25 km	~160 m	Easy	Gentler stage along the Ticino shore
7	Vira – Maccagno	24 km	~1150 m	Difficult	Significant elevation gain and panoramic ridges
8	Maccagno – Luino	15 km	~770 m	Medium	Short but physically demanding stage
9	Luino – Laveno	24 km	~1450 m	Difficult	One of the most panoramic and technical stages
10	Laveno – Ispra	23 km	~460 m	Easy	Hills and less demanding stretches
11	Ispra – Sesto Calende	24 km	~370 m	Easy	Return toward the Ticino River and completion of the loop

The Stresa stage

One of the most scenic stages is the one passing through Stresa. Here, the route offers spectacular views of the Borromean Islands, alternating green stretches with historic and panoramic sections.

Stresa represents a strategic point along the route, both for the beauty of the landscape and for the availability of accommodation and services useful for hikers.

When to walk it

The best period to complete the Cammino del Lago Maggiore is from spring to autumn. In summer, some stages can be warmer, while spring and early autumn offer ideal temperatures.

Winter is less suitable for the entire route, although individual stages can be walked on mild and dry days.

Who is the Cammino del Lago Maggiore suitable for

The route is recommended for:

hikers with a good walking level
lovers of panoramic trekking
travelers interested in a slow experience
those who wish to combine nature and culture

It is not an extreme route, but it still requires physical preparation and planning, especially if undertaken in full. It is also possible to walk only selected stages, choosing the most scenic or easily accessible sections.

Where to stay along the Cammino del Lago Maggiore

One of the strengths of the route is the wide availability of accommodation along the way: hotels, B&Bs, and apartments.

For those walking the stage that passes through Stresa, the apartments available on Loving Stresa represent a comfortable and central solution, ideal for resting after a day of hiking and setting off easily the following morning. The strategic location also allows easy access to the lakefront, harbor, and main services.

Why choose the Cammino del Lago Maggiore

The Cammino del Lago Maggiore is a complete experience that combines nature, culture, and unique landscapes. Walking around the perimeter of the lake means crossing different territories united by a strong shared identity.

It is a route that enhances the concept of slow tourism and allows visitors to discover Lake Maggiore from a different perspective compared to a traditional visit by car or boat. For those who wish to experience the lake step by step, it is one of the most authentic experiences available in this area.