Imagine walking the entire perimeter of Lake Maggiore, crossing ancient villages, lush woods and going gently on the slopes that overlook the blue waters. It is no longer only an idea but a concrete reality thanks to the new journey of Lake Maggiore, an ambitious project that has requested two years of work from the tracemical association.
A path that breathes with the territory
We deliberately chose not to always follow the coast line, explains Elia Origoni, a medium mountain companion and a tracemical member.
The route often develops halfway up, giving breathtaking views and allowing to avoid the asphalt and the excessive heat of the summer months. But above all, this choice allows us to cross small inhabited centers where the path can really become an opportunity for territorial regeneration.
In fact, this is not a simple tourist itinerary, but a project that aims to revitalize local communities through conscious, slow and respectful tourism of the environment. The walkers will have the opportunity to discover artisan productions, gastronomic specialties and cultural traditions that would otherwise risk remaining outside the conventional tourist circuits.
The Hermitage of Santa Caterina
The recent presentation of the journey at the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso was not accidental. This architectural jewel set in the rock overlooking the lake has become one of the symbols of a new way of understanding cultural tourism.
“The hermitage perfectly represents the philosophy that we would like to promote”, underlines Elena Castiglioni of Archaeologists, the social enterprise that has managed the site since July 2023.
“It is a place where landscape beauty merges with history and spirituality, inviting visitors to slow down and deepen the visit experience”.
With over 100,000 annual visitors, the Hermitage of Santa Caterina is one of the most visited cultural places in the area, but with a peculiarity: “We are open 365 days a year and completely accessible also to people with motor disabilities, thanks to the elevator dug in the rock. We want the hermitage to become more and more a gateway to the entire territory, a starting point to explore the natural and cultural riches of the lake”.
Inauguration in spring: 11 days of guided path
To celebrate the birth of the new itinerary, Tracemine and archaeologists They organized a special event: from April 24 to May 4, 2025, enthusiasts will be able to participate in the first guided stages of the journey of Lake Maggiore.
It will be a unique opportunity to experience the experience of the journey together with its creators,
Castiglioni explains. “The excursions will be suitable for all those who have a minimum of training and the habit of walking. Spring, with its mild temperatures and nature in awakening, is the ideal time to undertake this journey.
For those who want to enroll in walking days, it is possible to do it through the sites
www.tracciaminima.it or www.camminilagomaggiore.it. For the hermitage of S. Caterina www.eremonantacaterina.it
A model of territorial development
The path of Lake Maggiore is part of an increasingly widespread trend that sees not only a recreational activity on the way, but a real tool for sustainable territorial development.
With the creation of this 240 kilometer ring, Lake Maggiore is preparing to welcome a new type of travelers: people looking for an authentic experience, willing to take the time necessary to discover the thousand facets of a territory full of history, culture and natural beauty.
