Carmine: Lake Views, Frescoes and Hiking Trails

Between Rocky Outcrop and Lake Maggiore

Carmine Superiore is situated on a rocky outcrop above the western shore of Lake Maggiore. From there, panoramic views extend across the lake and the Lombard mountains. The village’s cultural character is immediately evident at San Gottardo.

San Gottardo and Its Frescoes

The Church of San Gottardo in Carmine Superiore is a Romanesque church from the 14th century and was completed in 1401. It consists of two sections at different levels, connected by several steps. The architecture is therefore as much a part of the impression as the church’s artworks.

The frescoes of San Gottardo include a blessing Christ in a mandorla with the symbols of the Evangelists, as well as depictions of the stories of Saint Gottardo and Saint Bartholomew. A mandorla is an almond-shaped frame; here, it surrounds the blessing Christ. Restoration work on the church in 1932–1933 and from 1997 to 2002 helped restore its fresco cycles.

The feast of Saint Gottardo is celebrated in Carmine Superiore on the first Sunday in May.

Walking to Carmine Superiore

From Carmine Inferiore, Carmine Superiore can only be reached on foot via a route of approximately 15 minutes. Longer hiking trails also lead there from Cannero or Cannobio, including the Via delle Genti. If time is limited, the approximately 15-minute route from Carmine Inferiore is the shorter access; longer hiking trails lead to Carmine Superiore from Cannero or Cannobio.

Percorso n° 2 begins at State Road 34 near Carmine Inferiore, at an elevation of approximately 205 m, at a staircase near the first bend south of the roadman’s house in the Carmine Inferiore district. On Percorso n° 2, State Road 34, the staircase and the first bend provide specific orientation points for the trailhead.

Sentiero 5 leads from Cannobio via the Via delle Genti to Carmine Superiore and then continues to Cannero with its castles. On the forest section towards Cannero, you can look down from the trail onto the ruins of the Castles of Malaga.

Regional Landscape and Destinations

The area around Carmine includes the Falconeria Locarno zoo, the summit of Poncione di Breno, the summit of Pòla, Monte Zeda and the summit of Pizzo Marona. In the wider regional area are Palazzo Flaim, Villa San Remigio and Villa Baumann.

Choosing Accommodation to Match Your Plans

When choosing a hotel in Carmine, the geographical distribution of the destinations is relevant to your planning. Carmine Superiore is associated with the church, frescoes and trails, while the mountains, zoo and palaces are connected with the surrounding area or the wider regional area.

Other places: Vignone, Miazzina, Traffiume, Cambiasca, Cresseglio, Ghiffa, Aurano, Cavaglio-Spoccia

To the main travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.