Verbania is a nature paradise with a millenary culture, breathtaking views and trails that can be walked even in late autumn making it a perfect destination for lovers of open-air excursions. On the western shores of Lake Maggiore, nestled in a romantic hilly landscape, tVerbania is an ideal choice for travellers who enjoy the outdoors, whether at a leisurely pace or taking on more challenging routes.
The Fondo Toce Nature Reserve
The Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore in the municipality of Verbania is home to the Fondo Toce Special Nature Reserve, which was established in 1990. The exceptional biodiversity of the area is evidenced by the numerous species of amphibians, reptiles, mammals and insects that reside here. The ecosystem also hosts lake fish and birds as well as more than 240 species of flora, and the path through the reserve can be walked in about an hour.
The Verbania Memorial and Peace Park
The Memorial and Peace Park is of great historical interest. Standing on the site where in 1944 the Nazis shot 43 partisans, it includes a monumental area with a tall cross and a long wall engraved with the names of 1,200 partisans. An olive tree symbolizing peace, planted in 2000 by the then Israeli Ambassador, stands near the monumental wall.
Home to the author of Heidi
For those who wish to venture out on hilly trails Verbano has paths leading to Monterosso, making it possible to combine walking with places of historical and environmental interest. One of the routes to the hamlet of Cavandone starts from Suna, a picturesque village on the lake shore with lively murals. The famous Swiss writer Johanna Spyri, author of Heidi, who set two of her novels here, used to stay in Suna, and in these two novels she celebrated the beauty and uniqueness of Verbano’s landscapes.
