Holidays in Stresa

On an Inghams walking holiday, you have the freedom to explore the area at your own pace. Make each day a new adventure, with as much or as little walking as you like.

Why we love walking in Stresa

Who knew that Lake Maggiore had so many fantastic opportunities for walking. Come to Stresa and experience it in a new way, discover quaint villages and trails filled with history and culture. Walking around Mount Mottarone gives you a completely different perspective of the surrounding area and it's easy to stumble across hidden gems when out exploring.

Guided walks

Don't forget, you have the option to join two included Inghams guided walks per week, with a local, professional guide. Get to know our favourite walking trails with insider knowledge and the company of other guests. Pre-booking is essential - check out the Guided Walks section below for more information.

Ferries

The hydro-foil ferries in Lake Maggiore are extremely useful and more eco-friendly than your average ferry! They're perfect for hopping over to the Borromean islands for a day trip. From Stresa you can nip over to Isola Bella in about 10 minutes! Check out those sparkling waters as you drift along the lake. Many of our hotels are close to ferry landing points, so you won't have far to go.

Buses & trains

Stresa's bus network is really useful for exploring towns like Baveno which takes around eight minutes on the bus. You can usually buy tickets in a nearby tabaccheria or on the bus itself. You can also get the train to nearby towns such as Belgirate, with its little Romanesque church of St Mary dating back to the 11th Century. This journey only takes about 12 minutes direct.

Walking

If you'd rather walk, it doesn't take long to walk along the lakeside to picture perfect towns such as Feriolo with its little beaches and quaint harbours. This walk takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and passes through Baveno.

Inghams Guided Walks are included on your holiday to Stresa

We’ve included one full-day and one half-day walk per week in Stresa, just for Inghams guests. Join a small group and be led by a professional walking guide on some of their favourite trails. It’s a great way to get to know the area.

The full-day walk will run every Tuesday and the half-day walk will run every Friday from the 13th May-26th Sep 2025. You can add the walks onto your holiday at the time of booking, through My Booking or by calling us on 01483 319 652.

Please note that due to the hotel's location just outside the centre of Stresa, guests staying in the Villa e Palazzo Aminta may need to hire a taxi to reach the walk meeting points, costing approx. €10-15 each way (payable locally).

For a break down of how we grade our guided walks head over to our walking grades page. Routes may vary from week to week but as a guide you can see some of our planned routes below:

Lake Mergozzo

Lake Mergozzo is a hidden lake in the Ossola Valley. From Mergozzo train station, you'll head to this quiet lakeside village. You'll then walk along the Sentiero Azzurro (the Blue Path), stopping in the medieval village of Montorgano and take in the marvellous views over Lake Maggiore. We guarantee they'll will remain etched in your memory!

• Grade: Easy-Moderate (a decent fitness level is required)
• Distance: 5km
• Duration: Half day (walking time approx. 2 hours)
• Ascent/Descent: 150m
• Terrain: Asphalt, dirt tracks, natural trails
• Useful information: The walk is reached by train and/or bus, you will take the train from Stresa to Mergozzo on the way to the walk, and back from Verbania-Pallanza to Stresa. There is a local cost for the train which is approx. €2.20 each way. 

Summer 2025- This walk will run on Fridays: 16th, 30th May, 13th, 27th Jun, 11th, 25th Jul, 8th, 22nd Aug, 5th, 19th Sep

Medieval village of Cavandone

The walk begins in the colourful village of Suna where the path will take you to the medieval village of Cavandone. Along the walk you'll pass a chestnut wood, a medieval tower and of course wonderful views of Lake Maggiore - make sure to pack you camera! Once at Cavandone there's so much history and culture to enjoy including; a 400 year old yew tree, ceramic pottery and a well preserved stone village. The walk ends in Suna, where you can wander along the lakeside promenade.

• Grade: Easy-Moderate (a decent fitness level is required)
• Distance: 8km
• Duration: Full day (walking time approx. 4 hours)
• Ascent/Descent: 260m
• Terrain: Asphalt, dirt tracks, natural trails
• Useful information: The walk is reached by bus, from Stresa to Verbania-Suna and the return is by bus from Verbania-Pallanza. There is a local cost for the bus which is approx. €8.20 return. You'll have the opportunity to stop for lunch in Verbania-Pallanza towards the end of the walk (payable locally).

Summer 2025- This walk will run on Tuesdays: 20th May, 3rd, 17th Jun, 1st, 15th, 29th Jul, 12th, 26th Aug, 9th, 23rd Sep

The Chestnut Route

Staring at Belgirate you'll walk up to the beautiful Romanesque church of Santa Maria, where you can enjoy some fantastic lake views. Continuing uphill to the chestnut forest you'll get a feel for rural life in the terraced fields and mountain huts. You'll get even more fantastic views as you pass by the village of Passera and the gardens of Villa Pallavicino, which are a real highlight. 

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging (a good fitness level is required)
• Distance: 8km
• Duration: Half day (walking time approx. 3hrs 30 mins)
• Ascent/Descent: 335m
• Terrain: Asphalt, dirt tracks, natural trails
• Useful information: The walk is reached by bus, from Stresa to Belgirate. There is a local cost for the bus which is approx. €3.20 one way.

Summer 2025- This walk will run on Fridays: 23rd May, 6th, 20th Jun, 4th, 18th Jul, 1st, 15th, 29th Aug, 12th, 26th Sep

Domodossola and the Sacred Mount

The walk starts at Domodossola, which is the main town of the Ossola Valley with its quintessential market place, stone houses and a rustic centre. A real highlight of this walk is visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Sacred Mount of Domodossola. On the descent towards Domodossala you'll have the opportunity to visit the town with its arcades, cafés and different shops selling typical products from the region. 

• Grade: Moderate-Challenging (a good fitness level is required)
• Distance: 8km
• Duration: Full day (walking time approx. 3hrs 30 mins)
• Ascent/Descent: 340m
• Terrain: Asphalt, dirt tracks, natural trails
• Useful information: The walk is reached by train and/or bus, from Stresa to Domodossola. There is a local cost for the train and bus. The train costs approx. €9.60 for a return ticket. You'll stop off along the walk to have your lunch in the open air. Make sure you come prepared with a packed lunch and snacks.

Summer 2025- This walk will run on Tuesdays: 13th, 27th May, 10th, 24th Jun, 8th, 22nd Jul, 5th, 19th Aug, 2nd, 16th Sep

For every walk you will need: suitable walking shoes with good grip, appropriate clothing, sun cream, insect repellent, sun glasses, rain jacket, rucksack, at least a litre of water, a snack and cash for restaurants/transport. You may find walking poles useful.

Early booking is strongly recommended as spaces are limited. All walks are subject to availability of local guides, weather conditions and maximum numbers. Planned routes are subject to change. Any distances and ascents/descents stated are approximate. Full details of the walks with the meeting points and routes will be provided to you on arrival. In some instances there may be a small charge for local transport that is payable locally. In resorts where the walks run over more than two days, the day of the walk will be allocated to you by your Rep in your welcome meeting. Where we cannot confirm your preferred option in resort, we will endeavour to offer an alternative subject to the above conditions.

Please ensure you are comfortable with the grade of walk, planned distance covered and terrain before booking. The decision of the guide on the suitability of the walk for you is final and no compensation will be paid where the guide believes, in their professional opinion, that it is not suitable. Please ensure you are well-equipped for the walk have suitable clothing and footwear. Walks are not recommended for guests under 12 years. Any guests under 18 years will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Il Sentiero Azzurro

Walk up to the Romanesque stone church of St Giovanni in the field - worth having a look to see if it's open. Once you get to the Belvedere viewing point you'll get some incredible views of Lake Maggiore, The Borromean Gulf and the mouth of the River Toce, so it's worth taking a minute and soaking it all in. The trail is signposted for some of the way as the Sentiero Azzurro and if you follow it after the viewpoint, you'll come to a lakeside path with sections shaded by trees. Make sure you take some time to visit the archaeological museum along the lakeside path, and take a moment to sit in one of the relaxing lakeside cafe's for a coffee or a spritz!

• Useful Information: To start the walk you can hop on a train or ferry to Verbania/Pallanza from Stresa and then you'll walk to Mergozzo town via Montorfano. Don't forget to validate your ticket on the platform before hopping on the train!

Villa Lesa - Monte Alle Croci - Belgirate

Starting in the relaxed town of Lesa this walk gives you a diverse range of things to see along the way. Stroll through the ancient villages of the Upper Vergante, stumble across farmhouses and churches and head into the foothills around Lake Maggiore, passing the Erno stream as well as historic villages, villas and gardens on the way. The walk is about 11.5km long and has about 480 metres of ascent, so requires a very good fitness level. The walk ends in Belgirate, where you can grab a train directly back to Stresa, this is about 12 minutes direct.

• Useful Information: Hop on the train from Stresa to Lesa where the walk starts, the journey only takes about 11 minutes direct. 

Recommended equipment

Suitable walking shoes with good grip, appropriate clothing, rain jacket, sun cream, insect repellent, sun glasses, rucksack, at least a litre of water, a re-usable water bottle, a snack and cash. You may find walking poles useful.

Walking maps

If you're looking for a paper map to help you get to know the area even better, we'd recommend the Globalmap - Carta Escursionistica - Mottarone - Lago d'Orta - Lago Maggiore (1:25 000).

Walking guidelines

The mountains and lakes are a natural paradise, with lots to explore and discover. To help them stay that way, and remain enjoyable and safe places for everyone, we recommend following our little list of do's and don'ts:

• Plan your route well and don't overestimate yourself
• Check the weather forecast
• Tell someone where you're planning to walk and what time you're expecting to be back
• Take all the recommended equipment
• Make a note of emergency numbers:
  • Italian Emergency Services: 112
• Don't leave the marked trails without a guide
• Let nature stay wild by not picking flowers (it's illegal in some places) or getting close to/making contact with wild animals
• Always leave gates as you found them and don't climb over fences
• Leave no trace

Check out our Responsible Walking insider guide if you want more tips for your summer walking holiday.

Flights to Milan are available from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh

Transfer times: 

• Milan airport: approx. 1 hour by coach

Private transfers are available on request, for a supplement.

We offer holidays by train to Stresa, which depart on a Wednesday and Friday. The journey takes around 12 hours. 

Please note, from June 2025 the train will run from London St Pancras to Domodossola. From Domodossola you will travel to your hotel by taxi. On return, you will travel from your hotel by taxi to Domodossola, and then take the train back to London St Pancras. 

Provisional outbound timings are: