ALPE QUAGGIONE TREKKING
Trekking Around Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore: Discovering Alpe Quaggione
Alpe Quaggione
Today’s walk takes us to Alpe Quaggione (1142 m), one of the magical places of my childhood.
This is where I learned to eat snow mixed with cocoa powder, where I got stung by nettles, rolled down grassy hills and used wild sage leaves to clean my teeth…
Hiking information
Walking time: from about 1 hour to 2 hours depending on your pace and stops
Difficulty: EASY
Terrain: asphalt road, dirt path and grassy trails
Suitable for children
Not suitable for strollers
We are in Valle Strona, in the municipality of Germagno, only about 15 minutes by car from the area of Omegna and Lake Orta.
For experienced hikers, it is also possible to reach Alpe Quaggione on foot from the valley below, following a steep trail through woods, meadows and mountain pastures. Walking time: at least two hours uphill.
How to Reach Alpe Quaggione
Let’s not overdo it and reach it by car!
Drive up towards the center of Casale Corte Cerro and, once you reach the church, turn left. Pass through the small village of Montebuglio and continue towards Gattugno. From there, climb up to Alpe Colla.
The road winds through narrow mountain hairpin bends surrounded by forest. If you are not comfortable driving on mountain roads, you can also reach Alpe Quaggione from Omegna through Valle Strona following signs for Germagno.
After passing Alpe Colla, you will arrive at Alpe Cardello, where I highly recommend a short stop to visit the charming little church.
A few minutes later you will reach the parking area of Alpe Quaggione. Leave your car there and begin your walk through this fascinating alpine pasture village, inhabited only during summer months.
The Circular Church and Picnic Area
One of the first interesting places you will see is the unusual circular church dedicated to Madonna della Neve (Our Lady of the Snow).
It was designed and built in 1970 by artist Franco Ferraris.
Next to the church you will find the “Al Valarel” picnic area, created by the local association “Amici dell’Alpe Quaggione”, which has been working for decades to preserve and promote this beautiful mountain area.
There are picnic tables and barbecue spaces available if you would like to enjoy lunch outdoors.
A Place Rich in History
Alpe Quaggione is also deeply connected to local history.
After the Battle of Megolo during World War II, partisan Bruno Rutto gathered around forty men here to continue the resistance against Nazi-fascist forces.
This became the “First Patrioti Filippo Beltrami Group”, whose symbol was the green scarf traditionally worn by Alpine soldiers.
Walking Up to Monte Zuccaro
Continue your walk with the church behind you, following the paved road that soon splits into two directions. Either path is fine, as both form a circular route leading back to the same point.
From the top of the alpine pasture you can continue up to Monte Zuccaro (1338 m), where a small chapel overlooks spectacular views of Valle Strona, Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore.
As children, we used to call it “Sugar Mountain” (“Monte Zucchero”), even though we never understood why — especially since there was obviously no sugar to be found anywhere!
If you are lucky, you may also see paragliders taking off from the mountain. With favorable weather conditions, many fly from Alpe Quaggione all the way down to Gravellona Toce.
Useful Information
There are no bars or restaurants directly at Alpe Quaggione.
However, at nearby Alpe Colla you will find a lovely mountain restaurant and pizzeria run by Nicoletta and Michele, perfect for coffee, snacks, lunch or pizza.
You can also visit the Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Germagno, where monks produce and sell honey, jams, preserves, herbal creams and traditional liqueurs.
Picnic… Even in the Evening!
If you would like to organize a picnic, you can stop at “Non Solo Pane Market” in Casale Corte Cerro (near the church), where they can also prepare sandwiches for you.
Another option is “La Bottega di Sara” in Germagno.
During hot summer evenings, a sunset picnic at Alpe Quaggione is something special. The air is always cooler up there and the atmosphere is incredibly peaceful. We often do it ourselves — it’s wonderfully relaxing.
Enjoy this beautiful hike around Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore: a simple and regenerating walk among alpine meadows, old stone huts, grazing cows, flowers and breathtaking lake views.
Trekking on the Lakes: Alpe Quaggione
Alpe Quaggione (1, 142 m) is one of those magical places from my childhood — where I learned to eat snow with cocoa, got stung by nettles, rolled down grassy slopes, and even used wild sage to clean my teeth…
Duration: depends on your pace and how many stops you make. Consider between 1 and 2 hours.
Difficulty: EASY
Terrain: paved road, dirt paths, grass
Suitable for children. NOT suitable for strollers.
We are in the Strona Valley, in the municipality of Germagno, just a 15-minute drive from B&B Tra i Laghi. If you prefer, you can also reach it on foot with an uphill hike through woods, meadows, and alpine pastures — allow at least a couple of hours.
How to get to Alpe Quaggione
Let’s not overdo it — go by car!
Head towards the center of Casale Corte Cerro and, once you reach the church, turn left. Pass through the hamlet of Montebuglio and reach the village of Gattugno. From there, continue up to Alpe Colla. The road winds through narrow hairpin bends in the forest.
If you’re not comfortable driving on mountain roads, you can also reach Alpe Quaggione from Omegna, following the road towards the Strona Valley, direction Germagno.
After Alpe Colla, you’ll find Alpe Cardello — I recommend a stop here to visit its charming little church.
Shortly after, you’ll reach the parking area at Alpe Quaggione. Leave your car and start your walk to explore this fascinating alpine area, inhabited only during summer.
What you’ll see
The first highlight is the unique circular chapel dedicated to Madonna della Neve, designed and built in 1970 by the painter and sculptor Franco Ferraris.
Nearby, you’ll find the picnic area “Al Valarel, ” created by the Friends of Alpe Quaggione — a local association that has been preserving and promoting this area for decades. If you’re prepared, you can even enjoy a barbecue here.
A bit of history
This place also holds historical significance. It was here that partisan Bruno Rutto gathered around forty men to continue the resistance against Nazi-fascists after the battle of Megolo. This marked the birth of the “First Patriotic Group Filippo Beltrami, ” whose symbol was the green scarf of the Alpine troops.
Up to Monte “Zucchero”
Continue your walk: with the chapel behind you, follow the paved road that soon splits left and right. It doesn’t matter which direction you take — you’ll complete a loop and return to the same point.
At the top, you can reach Monte Zuccaro (1, 338 m), where a small chapel offers breathtaking views over the Strona Valley and both Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore.
Fun fact: as children, we used to call it “Monte Zucchero” (Sugar Mountain) … even though there was no sugar in sight!
If you’re lucky, you might also see paragliders taking off — many enthusiasts fly from here all the way down to Gravellona Toce.
Useful info
There are no bars or restaurants at Alpe Quaggione.
However, at Alpe Colla you’ll find a lovely restaurant-pizzeria run by Nicoletta and Michele — perfect for a coffee break, a snack, or even a pizza.
You can also visit the Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Germagno, where you can buy honey, jams, spreads, liqueurs, and other products made following traditional monastic recipes.
Picnic… even in the evening!
If you’d like to bring your own lunch, you can stop at “Non Solo Pane Market” in Casale (near the church), where they can also prepare sandwiches for you.
Alternatively, there’s the “Bottega di Sara” in Germagno.
Too hot during the day? Go for an evening picnic! Up at Quaggione, the air is always fresh — we do it often, and it’s incredibly relaxing.
Enjoy this lakeside trekking experience: a peaceful and refreshing walk among meadows, old mountain huts, grazing cows, flowers, and stunning views over our beautiful lakes. 🌿