Luino on Lake Maggiore: Churches, Lakeside and Hiking Trails

Luino on Lake Maggiore combines lakeside scenery, local history and paths through forests and valleys. Between Parco a Lago, historic churches, Porto Vecchio and local market stalls, you will find various points of interest for planning your trip. Those looking for a hotel in Luino can also choose how to explore the town based on their cultural interests, walks, hikes or bike rides.

Culture between the lakeside and local history

Following its restoration in 2019, Palazzo Verbania houses a repository for the archives of Vittorio Sereni and Piero Chiara belonging to the Municipality of Luino. On the lakeside, the Chiesa e convento del Carmine was founded in 1477 by the lay Carmelite Jacopo da Luino. The church has a carved red sandstone portal. Every year in July, the statue of Madonna del Carmine is carried through Luino in a procession.

The Chiesa di San Pietro is Luino’s oldest church. Its Romanesque bell tower is dated to the period between 1050 and 1075. Inside, there is a 16th-century fresco cycle featuring an Adoration of the Magi and two saints speaking to each other. Construction work on the Oratorio dei ss. Giuseppe e Dionigi was completed in 1666; its tall pronaos was a symbol of the town for a long time.

Parco a Lago and the accessible lakeside promenade

Parco a Lago is a public green garden on the shore of Lake Maggiore. A continuous pedestrian promenade connects various areas of the lakeside zone. Luino’s lakeside promenade is free to access and barrier-free. Parco a Lago also includes a children’s play area with shock-absorbing flooring. This gives the lakeside a practical role for walks and for stays where accessible paths or a play area are important.

Hiking between Porto Vecchio and Colmegna

The Sentiero Belvedere begins on Via Cavallotti, opposite Porto Vecchio, which is dominated by Luino’s landmark, the Madonnina. The path then leads into the old quarter and through the forest to the village of Gaggio, before descending through the Colmegnino Valley to Colmegna.

The Luino section of the Sentiero Italia CAI leads from the pier through the old town and the Carnella area to Colmegna. It then continues through the lakeside forest to Maccagno.

Cycling with varying levels of difficulty

Luino’s forests and valleys offer mountain biking routes with varying levels of difficulty. The area is also suitable for road cycling and off-road riding. Due to the numerous changes in elevation, less experienced cyclists are advised to use an e-bike. When planning a bike tour, you can therefore choose between roads, off-road terrain and mountain biking routes with varying levels of difficulty.

Market and local producers

At the Luino market, outside Palazzo Verbania, there is a dedicated area with stalls run by small local producers. This market area complements the cultural and scenic impressions with a tangible connection to regional everyday life and local products.

Discover more places

For further trip planning, you can also explore Capolago, Sesto Calende, Bregano, Ternate, Cantello, Maccagno, Arcisate and Rasa Di Varese.

For the higher-level travel overview: Varese.