Cesara at Lake Orta: History, Trails and Views

Cesara is located on the western heights of the Lake Orta basin. The town is dominated by Monte Pizzo and combines its distinctive landscape setting with historical connections. In and around Cesara, you will therefore find various starting points for an individually planned trip: trails and viewpoints meet ecclesiastical tradition and a scientific instrument in an outdoor setting.

Landscape and views at Lake Orta

The Grand Tour del Lago d'Orta offers a short detour to the scenic Croce di Egro. From there, the view extends across Lake Orta from Omegna to the southern part of the lake basin. The Grand Tour del Lago d'Orta also follows trails on Monte Camosino. For your planning, this results in a clear focus on landscape experiences and views, without presupposing a specific itinerary.

Trails through beech and chestnut forests

Pizzo di Cesara and Croce di Nonio are located on the western side of Lake Orta and can be reached via well-marked trails through beech and chestnut forests. The Pizzo di Cesara–Croce di Nonio loop route descends to Cesara along a steep ridge path. When driving to this loop route, the parking lot near the parish church in Cesara is used. For route planning, the steep descent to Cesara should be planned as a separate section, in addition to the marked trails through both types of forest.

When planning the hike between Pizzo di Cesara and Croce di Nonio, the marked forest trails and the steep ridge path should be considered as different sections of the route.

Cesara between feudal history and veneration

The name Cesara is first documented in a document from 1204. Cesara's history follows the fortunes of the fief of the island of San Giulio. In the early Middle Ages, it was under Lombard rule, was transferred by Emperor Otto to the Bishop of Novara in the 10th century, and remained with the Bishop of Novara until 1767.

The mortal remains of Apro are kept in the parish church of Cesara. They continue to be the subject of veneration by the faithful of the local community. This specific religious connection adds a form of local tradition that continues to this day to the historical dimension of the town.

The sundial in Grassona

In Grassona, a freely accessible armillary-sphere sundial stands outdoors in a park beside the municipal road running through the town, opposite Piazza San Pietro. It was designed as a scientific and educational instrument to illustrate the apparent movements of the sun, the Earth's rotation, and the celestial sphere. Its location opposite Piazza San Pietro also makes this specific reference point easy to incorporate into orientation on site.

Further places for your trip planning

Druogno, Cambiasca, Miazzina, Traffiume, Premeno, Someraro, Villadossola and Formazza

For the higher-level travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.