Quarna Sopra between mountain views and village history

Quarna Sopra combines distinctive mountain landscapes with a deeply preserved history. At 1,424 metres, Monte Mazzoccone is the highest point in Quarna Sopra. From its summit, panoramic views stretch across Lake Orta. Monte Castellaccio also offers views of Lake Orta and Mottarone.

Mountain views, trails and historic alpine pastures

The trails around Quarna Sopra lead to viewpoints overlooking Lake Orta and to former alpine pastures. The Anello di Quarna circular trail reaches Quarna Sopra at an altitude of 860 metres and passes the Oratorio della Madonna del Pero. Another hiking route, „Castellaccio (Monte) e Monte Ciar da Cireggio“, first reaches the outskirts of Quarna Sopra and then continues to Monte Castellaccio.

From Alpe Campello and Ciar, views extend across Valstrona to the distinctive Monte Massone. For cyclists, the C08 Gravellona Toce–Quarne route is relevant: it runs along the hairpin bends leading to Quarna Sotto and Quarna Sopra. Quarna Sotto and Quarna Sopra therefore lie along the same series of hairpin bends for cyclists.

Churches and art in the village

The Church of Santo Stefano was built in the second half of the 16th century as an extension of an existing church. It houses an organ created in 1727 as one of Giuseppe Serassi’s first works. The church is freely accessible during services. The organ was created only after the church was extended.

The Oratorio della Madonna del Pero was built in 1598 and dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The Oratorio di San Rocco was built between the 13th and 14th centuries as Quarna Sopra’s first church and was used mainly as a baptistery. It is located in the old town centre, which was the community’s civic, economic and religious centre until the 18th century. As Quarna Sopra’s first church, San Rocco predates the extension of Santo Stefano.

More recent art is also part of the village’s character: since 2018, the Festival del Muro Dipinto has added 24 works to Quarna Sopra, including murals and mosaics. These works complement the older religious buildings with a modern, publicly visible form of artistic expression. The religious buildings and the 24 festival works therefore date from different periods.

Festivals and local orientation

The Feast of Madonna del Pero traditionally takes place on the last Sunday in August. The annual Feast of Madonna della Neve at Fontegno is celebrated on the first Sunday in August. Ferragosto quarnese takes place in August, alternating with Quarna Sotto.

Alpe Campello is also known simply as Campello and is Quarna Sopra’s sports grounds. Alpe Campello includes a children’s playground.

Discover more destinations

Piedilago, Barbè Superiore, Macugnaga, Cissano, Cannobio, Cadarese, Quarna Sotto, Viganella

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