Alpe San Michele
The Alpe San Michele, even though its summit is only at a height of just over eight hundred metres, is without doubt one of the finest viewpoints in the Lake Maggiore area. It is located in a key geographical position, at the junction between Valcuvia and Valtravaglia.
In years gone by, San Michele was an Alpine pasture area, and it was part of the municipal district of Musadino con Ligurno, where Alpine huts, pastures and summer meadows were interspersed amongst dense chestnut forests.
Today, this beautiful area is part of the municipality of Porto Valtravaglia, and it offers an ideal starting-point for walks up to Monte Colonna or for other hikes.
Various routes can be taken, from Muceno or from Arcumeggia, along the Via Verde Varesina (Varese green way) route, or taking a circular route that brings you to Monte Colonna, a walk of about four hours, in a setting offering superb views over Lake Maggiore.
The path climbs up in beech forests to over 1,200 metres altitude, with a panorama that is, to say the least, breathtaking, ranging from the flat plains near Varese and towards the north of Milan, to the valleys of the northern lake area, punctuated by tiny subalpine villages set amongst the forests and lake.
In years gone by, San Michele was an Alpine pasture area, and it was part of the municipal district of Musadino con Ligurno, where Alpine huts, pastures and summer meadows were interspersed amongst dense chestnut forests.
Today, this beautiful area is part of the municipality of Porto Valtravaglia, and it offers an ideal starting-point for walks up to Monte Colonna or for other hikes.
Various routes can be taken, from Muceno or from Arcumeggia, along the Via Verde Varesina (Varese green way) route, or taking a circular route that brings you to Monte Colonna, a walk of about four hours, in a setting offering superb views over Lake Maggiore.
The path climbs up in beech forests to over 1,200 metres altitude, with a panorama that is, to say the least, breathtaking, ranging from the flat plains near Varese and towards the north of Milan, to the valleys of the northern lake area, punctuated by tiny subalpine villages set amongst the forests and lake.
