Itinerary Description

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.

Specifically, this itinerary unites the lakes Verbano and Cusio (Maggiore and Orta), from Arona to Pella, passing through the upper Vergante territory, through the green valleys of Vévera and Agogna. The slope on the Cusio side offers many devotional paths that ascend Monte Mesma to reach the convent and seventeenth century church. From the top of the hill, we can enjoy an impressive view of Lake Orta and, in particular, the majestic peaks of Monte Rosa.

On the way down, we pass through Lortallo, Legro and Orta, where the Sacro Monte complex dedicated to San Francis of Assisi was built. The final part of this devotional journey ends at the lakeside village of Pella.

The trip starts in Arona, near the colossus of San Carlo, more commonly known as “San Carlone“. We go towards Dagnente and Meina, and after a certain distance on the road for Montrigiasco, we turn off in near the locality of Campagna and travel through the dense woodlands to reach the lakes of San Carlo.

The journey continues to the Church of Sant’Eufemia in Paruzzaro, and then on to Invorio, which is considered the “gate to Vergante” thanks to its central position between the lakes Cusio and Verbano. After leaving the town, we follow the provincial road that leads to the upper Vergante area and on dirt roads through dense vegetation we reach Monte Barro, where we can admire the ancient medieval village and small church dedicated to Santa Maria Annunziata (St. Mary of the Annunciation).

From here, we return by the same road and then go north, on a path with slight rises and drops on the east side of Mount Motto Alto. After this part, the trail turns into a mule path that descends towards the end of the river Agogna and reaches Ameno.

After crossing the bridge that connects Ameno to its hamlets beyond the Agogna River, the road continues to the small valley of the Membra Creek. We keep to the right bank of the Agogna until we reach the Special Natural Reserve of Monte Mesma, where the path becomes wilder, in close contact with the vegetation. Once on the provincial road from Bolzano Novarese, we continue along the devotional path that rises up toward the top of the hill, where there are many chapels. A series of turns brings the pilgrims to the tops of Monte Mesma, where we reach the convent and church, both seventeenth century architecture, run by Franciscan Friars.

From Monte Mesma, the path descends along the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) that leads up to the provincial road of Bolzano Novarese and Miasino: after a short stretch of this road, we enter the path that leads to Lortallo, a hamlet in the Ameno municipality, and continues on to the meet the road that runs from Gozzano to Miasino.

We continue along the “pedestrian street of Prisciola”, to reach Legro, a hamlet in the Municipality of Orta. Its impressive frescoed houses have caused it to become one of “Italy’s painted villages“.

After leaving this lovely village, the journey leads to Orta on a pedestrian path that passes underneath the railway. Upon arrival in the suggestive town of Orta, we go towards the Sacro Monte devotional complex dedicated to the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

The journey descends on a beautiful paved road towards Piazza Motta, from which boats are available to reach San Giulio Island and the Benedictine abbey Mater Ecclesiae. The final leg of this journey takes place on the western shore of the Lago d’Orta, leading up to the village of Pella.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Arona
Chiesa dei SS Martiri (Chiesa di San Graziano)
Collegiata della Natività di Maria Vergine
Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto (Chiesa di Santa Marta)
Colosso di San Carlo
Parco dei Lagoni di Mercurago
Civico Museo Archeologico
Civico Museo Mineralogico
Rocca borromea
Piazza del Popolo

Invorio
Torre viscontea
Parrocchiale di San Giacomo (Inv. sup)
Parrocchiale di San Pietro e Paolo

Lortallo (frazione di Ameno)
Torre medievale

Orta
Borgo
Sacro Monte
Palazzo della Comunità (o Broletto)
Chiesa Parrocchiale dell’Assunta
Villa Bossi
Villa Crespi
Isola San Giulio
Legro (fraz. Orta)
Borgo

Pella
Masso Coppellato
Torre Medioevale
Chiesa di San Defendente
Chiesa di San Filiberto
Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista
Chiesa Parrocchiale di Sant’Albino
Oratorio di San Giulio

TECHNICAL NOTES
LEGS: the entire distance is recommended in 1 leg, (22 km)
DIFFERENCE IN ELEVATION: lowest altitude of the itinerary, 200 m a.s.l.; highest, 470 m a.s.l. See the map.
DURATION: from 3 to 6 hours for each leg
TYPE OF PATH: Excursion – MAINLY DIRT ROADS

FACILITIES
STRUTTURE RICETTIVE

FOR MORE DETAILS
http://www.statuasancarlo.it
www.lagodorta.net
http://www.orta.net/sacromonte/
http://www.sacromonte-orta.com