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Charming mule track from Cannobio to Carmine Superiore and Cannero
Charming mule track from Cannobio to Carmine Superiore and Cannero
Excursion on foot and by boat
Excursion on foot and by boat
Medium light hike
Medium light hike
2.75 hours
A total of about 9 km and 400-500 meters altitude difference. Suitable for children from 7. Best season: April - June and September - October.
Start in Cannobio
Start in Cannobio
Cannobio, the Italian neighbouring town of Brissago, is the largest town on the northern Italian coast of Lake Maggiore. Today it is the starting point for a beautiful, medium-light day hike to the venerable old town of Cannero.
From the Lungolago and the Piazza of Cannobio, where the scheduled boat also moors, we first walk along the lake towards the south, until we reach the end of the lake promenade, passing beautiful villas decorated with flowers and the Plasterstrasse up the slope. Soon we cross the main road and go uphill, where a sign with the inscription "Cannero" confirms our direction. There are also some parking places.
The small street called Via Casali Amore leads slightly uphill with a wonderful view of Cannobio, the old town and the piazza with its many cafes and restaurants. Behind it the Swiss basin of Lago Maggiore with Brissago, Ronco and Ascona, and the impressive peaks of the Swiss Alps.
After about half an hour in the clearing of Solivo, the little road leads into a wide, paved mule track, which will lead us to Cannero with only a few interruptions.
There is also a signpost here. In alternating vegetation, sometimes denser, sometimes more open, again and again with a view to the blue water of the lake, we continue our way past hidden villas and dilapidated stone houses.
Southern thicket alternates with neatly maintained garden beds.
Southern thicket alternates with neatly maintained garden beds.
After about 1 hour we reach Carmine Superiore, a compact 13th century car-free settlement built on a mighty rocky promontory. It is very well preserved in its entirety and invites you to take a break in the churchyard of the church of San Gottardo. Note the well-preserved frescoes inside (visible through a window) and on the southern façade. Picnics and meals are not allowed - please stick to them so as not to disturb the venerable atmosphere.
carmine superiore
carmine superiore
Flower path high above the Lago Maggiore
Flower path high above the Lago Maggiore
From Carmine Superiore it is only 50 minutes to the coastal town of Cannero. The diverting path with changing panoramic views of the lake passes beautiful gardens with azaleas, ancient rhododendron trees and carefully maintained vegetable gardens of rock-built stone houses.
Castelli di Cannero
Castelli di Cannero: Monte Cristo Prison Islands?
Castelli di Cannero: Monte Cristo Prison Islands?
Soon we spot two small islands with rocky castle ruins, the Castelli di Cannero, which stimulate the imagination with their rocky grey shape. Were they a former prison or a place of exile? In reality, the islands have been inhabited since the 12th century, sometimes by tyrannical feudal families, sometimes as a fortress against the Swiss who had annexed Ticino in the 16th century. The islands, which meanwhile belong to Cannobio, are not accessible at present.
More lovely than the grey stone islands is the view of the splendid towers of the sumptuous villas on the nearby lakeshore of Cannero.
Ein Pfad führt uns nach der Ueberquerung der Hauptstrasse direkt an den malerischen alten Fischerhafen des Städtchens und hinunter an die Seepromenade mit ihren Ristorante, Hotels und der Schiffsstation.
Cannero - distinguished residence of the Milan noble families
Cannero - distinguished residence of the Milan noble families
fishing harbour of Cannero
Short cruise on Lake Maggiore
Short cruise on Lake Maggiore
From Cannero we take the boat back to Cannobio after a invigorating meal or a refreshing drink. The boat usually takes a triangular course with a stop in Luino on the opposite side of the lake. That should be right for us: In this way we have more time to relax during the boat trip. The price is indeed a bargain: Approx. EUR 4 / person, however, in vain one looks for on-board catering.
Hikers and day tourists board the scheduled boat in Cannobio.
View towards the Swiss lake basin of Lago Maggiore.
After about 50 minutes drive we reach Cannobio and happily return to Brissago.
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