Walkers Diary
A Walking Holiday on Lake Maggiore: Our private group – The Senior Walkers’ Week in Stresa
In September 2026, a private group of 18 senior walkers joined us for a week-long Lake Maggiore tour, based in the elegant lakeside town of Stresa. Over eight days they completed three guided walks, hopped between the Borromean Islands and met more peacocks than they could count. They ate a lot of gelato, too.
The group kept a detailed diary and photo journal of the trip. Here is their week, in their words and pictures.
Day 1: Arriving in Stresa
After an early start from Bristol, the group landed at Milan Malpensa mid-morning and was in Stresa by lunchtime. Their hotel sat just a couple of minutes from the water, and some rooms had views straight across the lake.
That evening our rep, Luca, held a welcome meeting to run through the walks and suggest ideas for the free days. Dinner followed in the hotel's conservatory, where the whole group dined together every night. The day ended the way most days would: with a short stroll down to the lakeside before bed.
Day 2: Walk 1 – Suna to Cavandone
The first guided walk began with local guide Walter, who gave an introduction to the area before the group took the public bus to Suna, near Verbania. From the lakeside, the route climbed through narrow lanes and onto rough tracks.
The path wound through woodland, past La Torraccia, a medieval signal tower, and over a small wooden footbridge ("one at a time, and watch out for the trolls").
The snack stop at the chapel of Madonna del Buon Rimedio came with a view over Lake Maggiore.
The group also picked up a companion: a friendly ginger cat that followed them for a couple of hundred yards.
More climbing led to Cavandone. On the way, the walkers passed an ancient yew tree beside the Chiesa della Natività di Maria Vergine and spotted snow on a distant peak. The view from the top was one of the best of the week.
After exploring the village, with its ocarina shop and some unusually fluffy chickens, the group came down to Suna. They had just missed a ferry, so they waited for the next one in a bar. It was, they agreed, "a much better idea". The ferry back to Stresa called at Baveno, Isola Superiore and Isola Bella, which made a scenic end to the day.
Walk stats: 6.2 miles (10 km), with around 310 m (1,020 ft) of ascent and descent.
Day 3: Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella
On the first free day, the whole group had the same idea: visit the islands. Small public boats (€10 each at the time) shuttled them between Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella. By the end of the day, the crew recognised them.
Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Island)
Isola Superiore is better known as Isola dei Pescatori, or Fishermen's Island. The group spent three relaxed hours there. They wandered the narrow lanes hung with fishing nets, visited the church of San Vittore and had lunch on a tiny beach.
The Baroque gardens rise in terraces above the lake, filled with statues, clipped hedges and views in every direction. The walkers rounded off the visit with an obligatory ice cream before the ferry home.
Day 4: Walk 2 – Belgirate to Stresa
The second guided walk started in Belgirate, a lakeside village a short bus ride south of Stresa. Locals there are nicknamed "Sciatt", or toads, and a toad sculpture marks the start of the walk.
The route climbed steeply past the frescoed Chiesa Vecchia di Santa Maria. It continued on rocky, pebbly tracks up to the Chiesa di San Paolo, about 275 m above the start. Some sections called for careful footwork.
From there, forest paths led down through the hamlets of Falchetti, Brisino and Passera. A small chapel on the edge of Stresa gave one more sweeping view of the lake.
The walk finished, fittingly, outside a popular gelato shop in the centre of Stresa. Afterwards, half the group cooled off in the pool at the Regina Palace Hotel, which guests were able to use as part of the hotel package.
Walk stats: 5.2 miles (8.4 km), with around 350 m (1,150 ft) of ascent and descent.
Day 5: Isola Madre's Gardens and Peacocks
On the next free day, the main ferry took the group to Isola Madre, the largest of the Borromean Islands. The 35-minute crossing calls at Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Baveno on the way. At the time of the visit, the ferry cost €9.60 and entry to the palace and gardens cost €21, with a discount for over-65s.
Isola Madre is famous for its free-roaming birds, and they did not disappoint. Silver Pheasants strutted along the paths.
The island's Palazzo Borromeo is smaller than Isola Bella's. Its highlight is a collection of antique puppet theatres.
Outside, the group met a pair of white peacocks. At lunch, a blue peacock joined them on the wall and ate from their hands. The walkers also saw Europe's largest Kashmir cypress, which was blown down by a tornado in 2006 and saved by a major engineering effort.
Day 6: Stresa Market and Parco Villa Pallavicino
Friday is market day in Stresa. The group spent the morning browsing the stalls, which are full of leather goods and clothing.
In the afternoon, the walkers visited Parco Villa Pallavicino, about a 15-minute walk from the town centre (€17 per person at the time). Here, gardens and parkland are home to llamas, alpacas, goats, zebras, flamingos and many bird species. Most of the animals were happy to wander among the visitors.
Day 7: Walk 3 – Verbania Pallanza to Mergozzo
The final walk started with a short train ride from Stresa. Leaving the station, the group passed granite quarries before climbing a very steep road to Montorfano, whose name means "orphan mountain". In the village they visited the Romanesque Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, which has baptismal remains dating back to the 5th century.
A rough track led on to a viewpoint over Lake Maggiore, which made a good spot for a 20-minute rest.
The descent followed the Sentiero Azzurro, an old mule track with glimpses of Lago di Mergozzo through the trees. It is mostly rocky and pebbly underfoot, with a few tricky stretches.
Mergozzo is a pretty village on its own small lake. The group celebrated the last walk with beer, chips and pizza by the water before taking the train back to Stresa.
Walk stats: 5¼ miles (8.5 km), with around 250 m of ascent and descent.
The farewell dinner ended in style. The lights went down and the waiters carried out a flaming "Norwegian omelette" for dessert.
Day 8: Heading Home
An early taxi took the group to Malpensa, with packed breakfasts from the hotel, and they were home in Bristol by early afternoon. In their own words: "It was a fabulous week. The walks were tricky at times but worth the effort. The islands, the lake and the views were spectacular."
Is a Lake Maggiore Walking Holiday Right for You?
How hard are the walks? Each walk was 5 to 6½ miles with 250–350 m of ascent. Expect steep lanes and rocky, uneven tracks, so a reasonable level of fitness and good walking boots are essential.
What is there to do on free days? Stresa makes a great base for exploring. Ferries and small boats connect it to Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori. There is also a Friday market and Parco Villa Pallavicino within walking distance.
When is the best time to go? Our group travelled in late September. The weather was warm and mostly sunny, and the gardens were still in full colour.
Can private groups book? Yes. This trip was arranged for a private walking club, with guided walks, a local rep and dinners together each evening.
Part of a walking group? Let’s get you all away together.
Group holidays at group prices, with everything arranged for you. Pick from our many destinations, and our group coordinator will put together a quote for you. Get in touch today.
Head to our private groups page, or call us on 01858 896111.
Plan Your Own Lake Maggiore Walking Holiday
Would you like to walk the hills above Lake Maggiore, explore the Borromean Islands and end each day with dinner by the lake? Explore our Lake Maggiore walking holiday or get in touch to arrange a trip for your own walking group.
A big thank you to our senior walkers for sharing their diary and photos.
What our walkers say
From the moment we arrived at the hotel and were greeted by Manuel (with a cheery smile, a sheet of information, a map of the area and general info ) I felt at ease.
Manuel accompanied us on our walks and the visit to Granada and the Alhambra Palace (amazing)! He was available each evening for questions or any problems .
I know he wanted to ensure we all had the best experience.
The walks were varied and interesting. Our guide, Sergio was first class - very sociable, knowledgeable about the area and kept an eye on each one of us, helping where needed.
The hotel was very comfortable and food excellent with plenty of variety. The staff were pleasant and helpful.
With such a packed itinerary (3 walks plus the optional one plus the Alhambra visit) we only had the one day off and would have appreciated staying another 2 days just to chill out and enjoy the hotel and surrounding area.
Maybe an 8or 9 night stay could be a future option?
Next adventure already booked.
