Discover Brovello-Carpugnino: Forests, Historic Centers and Views of Lake Maggiore

Forest trails, historic centers and views

Brovello-Carpugnino combines trails through chestnut and beech forests with churches, historic centers and views of Lake Maggiore. This creates a destination whose individual places reveal different facets: Brovello and Carpugnino represent forest trails, Stropino its lanes and views of the lake, and Graglia its churches, trails and local history.

Hiking and cycling between Brovello and Carpugnino

From the last houses in the upper part of Brovello, a trail leads through chestnut and beech forests to the alpine pastures of Brovello. These alpine pastures are connected to one another and to the surrounding villages by numerous trails that can be used for hiking and cycling in every season.

The trails through the shady forests of Carpugnino are suitable for walks. The A26 motorway has an exit at Carpugnino; from there, the most important destinations on Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and Lake Mergozzo, as well as the villages and mountains of Ossola, can be reached.

From Stropino, trails take you to the lakeside area in about 30 minutes on foot, with views of Lake Maggiore and its Borromean Islands along the way. From Stropino's main square, you can reach the Golf Des Iles Borromées golf course on foot or by mountain bike and continue to the summit of Motta Rossa. The summit of Motta Rossa is also known as Monte Ber; from there, it offers views of Lake Maggiore.

The first section of Itinerary IV09 passes through the center of Brovello, crosses a characteristic stone bridge and reaches the Romanesque church of San Pietro.

Churches and traces of history

The churchyard of the Chiesa Romanica di San Donato is surrounded by chapels from a Way of the Cross dating back to 1780. Perraccino from Novara decorated them with frescoes in 1792; they were restored in 2000.

Archaeological remains of the Castellaccio are located on Scarlasc Hill. They include a surrounding wall of the border fortification with an entrance threshold and the foundations of other buildings.

A forested trail from the center of Graglia passes the church of SS. Pietro e Paolo and continues toward Nocco. Along this trail, there are impressive views of the Vergante and Lake Maggiore. The Chiesa dei SS. Antonio e Giuseppe stands in the old center of Graglia. It was built after the villages of Comnago, Nocco and Brovello gradually separated from the mother church of SS. Pietro e Paolo. In Graglia Piana, the church of SS. Pietro e Paolo is set amid chestnut and beech forests. The annual feast of Sant'Antonio Abate in Graglia takes place on January 17 and includes an auction of offerings after the liturgy.

Along the Grisana stream, which separated the areas of Carpugnino and Graglia, there were several mills where rye, millet and corn were ground into flour. In the Sacche area along the Grisana stream, one of these mills was converted in 1829 into a workshop with a hammer mill for ironworking. The “Ponte romano” on the road to Brovello was once a mandatory crossing for the transport of goods and passenger traffic.

In the historic center of Stropino, there are winding lanes with houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, entrances and arcaded porticoes. Older houses with medieval features, votive chapels and frescoes with sacred depictions add to this historic center. Carpugnino is also known for the “Lusciat,” who worked as itinerant umbrella makers.

Golf with expansive views

Golf Des Iles Borromées is open year-round. From there, you can enjoy views of the mountains of Simplon and Val Grande. On clear days, the view extends as far as the Milan skyline and encompasses the four pre-Alpine lakes: Lake Maggiore, Lake Varese, Monate and Comabbio.

More destinations

Varzo, Bracchio, Bognanco, Cicogna, Carmine, Cresseglio, Piedilago, Cannero Riviera

To the overview of the broader destination: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.