ALBERGO DEL SOLE - BREZZO DI BEDERO

ALBERGO DEL SOLE - BREZZO DI BEDERO

19km - 1,5 hours - medium difficulty

A panoramic route offering the best views over the lake and mountains, in a leisurely cycle along the Via Mediavalle.

A panoramic route leading from the Albergo del Sole in Porto Valtravaglia, facing the Lake Maggiore, offering the best views over the lake and mountains, in a leisurely cycle along the Via Mediavalle,  a secondary street connecting many of the interesting villages of the Val Travaglia district in a soft and easy route.

Our departure is a lovely promenade, shaded by wide trees, inviting us to enjoy the tranquility of the area and the love for the environment displayed by local residents. We keep the lake to our right and take the SP69 main road in the direction of Laveno (which we will not actually reach). There may be quite a lot of traffic in this section, especially during summer weekends.

A soft but steady climb directs us out of the village and towards the hills beyond. After a few curves we can leave the main road to take the Via Mediavalle street leading to Germignaga, which will lead us through many of the most picturesque hamlets in the valley. And here they are, one after the other: Sarigo, Ligurno, Muceno, Musadino... ancient buildings, Romanesque bell-towers peaking over elaborate rooftops, stone balconies, arches, shrines... each village is a place of its own, celebrating and renewing its distinctive traditions during the yearly village festival.

About 7 or 8 kilometers after our departure, we begin to notice the profiles of the fortress of Brezzo di Bedero and of the ancient Collegiate church of San Vittore, one of the most beautiful Romanesque edifices in the Province. Once we have reached Brezzo di Bedero, the waters of the lake open in a wide, impressive view: from the Belvedere we can make out most of the Verbano province, encircled by the white-capped peaks of the Alps.
A quick climb (we will certainly come to appreciate our pedal-assisted bikes during this tour) leads us away from the busy main road. After a few hundred meters we will be rewarded with the fabulous view of the Collegiate church of San Vittore, elegantly poised above a green plain, mostly isolated from nearby buildings.

Having visited the Church, we take the street behind it and are granted the respite of a short downhill track. Here we can gain some insight on the rural origins of Bedero: in comparison to the more lake-oriented Brezzo here there are tiny alleys, finely restored private courtyards and other architectural elements pertaining to the Lombard tradition. Returning to the main road in the vicinity of the Belvedere, we must tackle the short climb once more to gain the prize of a quick descent towards Germignaga, to be taken with great care. In the village, we can decide to take a short break in the new town center square.

From here on, we will make our way back to the Albergo del Sole along the easy, panoramic SP69 road, sometimes directly on the lakeside, breathing in its damp, watery smells. This part of the route may be quite trafficked, the main danger being the daredevil motorcyclists who favor this road in summer weekends.