Hikes in Invorio

Round tour on forest and meadow paths high above Lake Orta Monte Alto is the last significant elevation in the Alto Vergante, the mountain range that stretches from Mottarone down to the Po Valley and separates Lake Maggiore from Lake Orta. This tour leads through this little-known forest area for hikers, following a large part of the beautiful Alta Via del Vergante high trail, marked by the CAI Arona, from Invorio to Gignese.

This itinerary retraces the first part of the so-called "Journey of San Carlo", the long religious pilgrimage that starts from Arona and - via the Sacred Mountains of Orta, Varallo and Oropa - joins the Via Francigena. In the mid-sixteenth century, Cardinal Carlo Borromeo travelled this path more than once, which is the reason behind its name. This itinerary, specifically, joins the lakes of Verbano and Cusio, from Arona to Pella, passing through the villages of Alto Vergante, through the green valleys of Vévera and Agogna.

The hilly, forested area between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta is still a hidden gem among hikers. However, the local Alpine Club chapter has created beautiful trails that take us into a landscape of unspoiled natural beauty, far away from the hustle and bustle of the popular lakes. While we spend most of the hike filling our lungs with fresh air in the magnificent forest, we also pass through picturesque hamlets and arrive at the chapel in Vago, with its beautiful frescoes and a shaded picnic area. ▶ Directions: From Arona or Lesa, take the SP34 to Invorio Inferiore. On the northern edge of town, there is a double roundabout. At the first one, head toward the center (gas station); at the second, turn right onto Via Barro. Park at the end of this street (after about 1.2 km).From our parking spot on Via Barro in Invorio Inferiore 01, we hike straight ahead into the forest, following the “E6” sign. We are immediately surrounded by dense greenery and ignore all side paths. After 10 minutes, the trail descends slightly and crosses the Rio Tessera. Shortly afterward, we leave the wide trail by taking the second path branching off to the left and heading uphill. A sign reading “Monte Barro, 20 min.” points the way here. On this now narrow, steep, and partly muddy path, we quickly gain elevation. At a fork, we keep to the left and continue climbing through the beautiful forest. We come to a junction where we continue straight ahead, staying on our narrow path until we see a wider hiking trail just to the left. We cross over to it and now walk straight ahead on this trail all the way to the picturesque hamlet of Barro 02. The lovely picnic area here invites us to take a break. On the way back, we walk a short distance back to the last fork and turn left here toward “Gignese.” The next section of the trail is particularly beautiful. After a short stretch of ups and downs through the chestnut forest and past Motto Alto to the east, we soon find ourselves hiking on level ground across the hillside. Staying on the main trail and keeping to the right, we quickly reach the next idyllic hamlet, Pecorino 03. Here we have a beautiful view of the Alpine peaks behind Lake Orta. We walk along the narrow paved road through the village to a T-intersection, where we turn right toward “Monte Vago, Gignese.” The road, which now begins to climb, soon turns into a gravel path and winds its way up the slope in switchbacks. After a right-hand turn, we can take a slight shortcut at the first opportunity by ascending the marked trail to the left. Back on the wide forest road, we head left and, after another quarter-hour of level walking, reach the Cappella del Vago 04. We have now reached the highest point of our hike and can enjoy a leisurely picnic at this beautiful rest area.Afterward, we continue on our wide “VE2” trail toward the southeast in the direction of Bocchetta di Borsaga. The trail descends slightly and occasionally offers a view over the hills. We join trail E7 from the right and reach the Bocchetta Borsaga pass after 15 minutes. Here, we continue straight ahead and climb slightly again up to the Motto Cassinario. Now we have to pay close attention to make sure we stay on the right path. We ignore the first fork. At the second, larger fork (unmarked), we turn left, then turn right again shortly afterward. The trail leads us westward on somewhat muddy ground below the Motto Comune. Five minutes later, we reach another junction ( 05), where we see red-and-white markings again; we follow them to the left. (Note: If we keep going straight from Bocchetta Borsaga, we’ll also reach this last fork, though via a less scenic route.) Our trail now winds its way down, sometimes steeply, and is quite eroded in places. Soon it turns left and crosses a stream. Then it runs for a while along the opposite slope. We have to be careful at a few slippery spots. Continuing straight ahead, we reach a fork where we turn right downhill to reach the trail we took on the way there, which we then follow to the left back to the parking lot.

passeggiatina

Invorio - Pecorino - Cappella del Vago - Bocchetta Borsaga

Dalle porte di Borgomanero alla vetta del Mottarone, quasi tutto su sentiero.

invitante per una bella escursione,qualche sassonelle prime salite --comunque e per tutti FAC