Set on the western shore of Lake Maggiore and framed by romantic hills, Verbania stretches all the way to Monte Rosso, just beyond the Borromean Gulf. This town offers a truly diverse array of landscapes and natural settings, making it an ideal destination for travelers who love the outdoors—whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a more challenging hike.
Along the Piedmontese shore of Lake Maggiore, the town of Verbania is home to the fascinating Fondo Toce Special Nature Reserve, established in 1990. The reed beds here represent one of the last surviving wetland areas in the eastern region. This part of Piedmont boasts exceptional biodiversity, as seen in the many species of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and insects living here—from pond turtles to green frogs, lizards, foxes, and weasels, to name just a few. The ecosystem also provides a habitat for numerous lake fish, birdlife, and more than 240 plant species. Visitors can explore the most scenic corners and spot various inhabitants of the reserve along a flat trail, easily walked in about an hour.
Starting from the Reserve, you can continue on foot or by bike to reach the Memorial and Peace Park, a site of great historical and scenic value. It stands on the site where, in 1944, the Nazis executed 43 partisans. The 16,000m2 on which the park sits pay tribute to their memory. Dedicated to the Italian Resistance, the park includes a monumental area dominated by a towering cross—the ultimate symbol of sacrifice—overlooking a long wall engraved with the names of 1,200 partisans. You’ll also find the Georgian Partisans Monument (a copper sculpture donated by Soviet partisans from Georgia), the Ex-Internees Monument (honoring Italian soldiers held in internment), the Monument to Women (paying tribute to women’s role in the Resistance), and a Holocaust remembrance memorial for the Jewish people. In 2000, Israel’s then ambassador planted an olive tree near the monument wall—a living symbol of peace still present today.
If you’re looking for hill trails, the Verbano area offers several, including those leading up to Monterosso, combining outdoor activities with nature and local history. One of the suggested routes to Cavandone—a hamlet of Verbania perched on Monterosso—begins in Suna, a picturesque lakeside village recently brightened by colorful murals. Following signs from the center of Suna, you’ll soon find a panoramic path that runs alongside interesting landmarks such as the Antica Torraccia and the tiny Church of Buon Rimedio—with its stunning viewpoint over the Borromean Gulf—before reaching Cavandone itself. This small medieval village, with its distinctive stone farmhouses, inspired the famous Swiss writer Johanna Spyri, author of “Heidi”: she set two of her novels here. Spyri often spent long stays in Suna and celebrated the beauty and uniqueness of Verbano’s landscapes in her works.
