Discover Brissago-Valtravaglia: Nature, Churches and Trails

Brissago-Valtravaglia offers you various points of interest for a trip to Italy: waterfalls and wooded valleys, churches featuring art and a long history, trails leading to engraved stones, and a place where you can visit animals.

Water, Forest and Wide Views

The Cascata di Roggiano consists of two waterfalls, each only a few metres high. It is located in the Roggiano district, can be visited, and is one of the FAI’s “Luoghi del cuore”. This landscape site therefore combines a direct impression of water with a special form of cultural appreciation.

Below the Cascata di Roggiano, the stream continues over further small cascades and flows beneath an ancient Roman bridge. The Chiesa della Madonna di Loreto, on the other hand, is located in a cool, wooded valley below the Roggiano district. Both destinations draw attention to the quieter sides of the area, shaped by water and forest.

A quiet footpath lined with trees leads to the Chiesa di San Giorgio Martire. From there, you can enjoy views of the valley below and the northern basin of Lake Maggiore.

Churches and Traces of the Past

The Chiesa di San Giorgio Martire stands in an isolated location above the town of Brissago. It contains a fresco from 1522 attributed to Guglielmo Jotti, depicting the Crucifixion. The combination of its secluded location and the fresco gives this church a distinctive appeal for visitors who wish to combine landscape and sacred art.

The Chiesa di San Donnino in Roggiano is dated to the 12th to 13th century. The municipality of Brissago-Valtravaglia is also home to a stone with cross-shaped engravings.

Trails with Historical Connections

The Trekking degli Insubri leads to engraved stones that were revered by Celtic peoples. The Sentiero della Pace – Linea Cadorna is a five-kilometre circular trail leading to the Monte Pian Nave observatory. These two trails appeal to different interests: here, the focus is on engraved evidence in the landscape; there, on a clearly defined circular route to the Monte Pian Nave observatory.

Planning a Visit with Children

At the Rifugio Animali Felici in Brissago Valtravaglia, you can experience direct contact with the animals living there and approach them if the animals allow it. The visit is suitable for children, but the path is not accessible to prams. Visitors are asked to notify the Rifugio a few days in advance of their visit. Families can therefore specifically include this place in their daily plans and take the question of pram accessibility into account beforehand.

Waterfall, valley and views offer a different way of experiencing Brissago-Valtravaglia than churches, engraved stones or the circular route to the observatory.

More Destinations

Gornate Olona, Brusimpiano, Cadegliano-Viconago, Castelveccana, Agra, Biandronno, Gerenzano, Brezzo Di Bedero

To the overview of higher-level destinations: Varese.