GUIDDY EXPERIENCE
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Lake Orta: from Buccione Tower to Monte Mesma, the loop of viewpoints

Orta San Giulio, Novara · Piemonte•1 day · Tuesday•Hiking · 576 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
EASY
Where?
Novara, Piemonte
On your own?
No problem
Points
+13
Lake Orta: from Buccione Tower to Monte Mesma, the loop of viewpoints
Community photos
See all photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Guiddy Experience
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Buccione and Monte Mesma on Lake Orta

Lake Orta in November is the right lake: no crowds, low morning mists that open over the island of San Giulio, and two viewpoints nobody knows. The medieval Buccione Tower and the convent on Monte Mesma, above Ameno, look at the lake from two different sides.

Group chat a couple of days before
Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

We start from Orta San Giulio and climb through the woods to the Buccione Tower, the lookout that warned the lake of attacks. We continue on trails and mule tracks to Ameno, a village of villas and gardens, and on to Monte Mesma, with its Franciscan convent and views over the lake and Monte Rosa.

Packed lunch at the Mesma or a trattoria in Ameno, then down to Orta with time for the village and, light permitting, the Sacro Monte.

From 25 October the Sacro Monte chapels close at 4 pm: visit at the end of the walk. Paid parking in Orta: car pooling recommended.

Orta San Giulio is an hour and ten from Milan: A26 to Arona or Borgomanero, then the lake road. Paid parking at the village entrance. By train, Orta-Miasino is on the Novara–Domodossola line. Car pooling in the Telegram group.

GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens a couple of days before: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before
For the selected date: by 4 December, 23:59. You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+13 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
Included in the price.
Dog friendly
Your dog can come: add them when you book.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
EASY
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
350 m D+ · 11 km · 4 h
Exposure and exposed sections
NONE
No exposed sections reported on the route.
VERTIGO RISK
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 4 h and 350 m of ascent ahead, an easy pace, suitable for beginners
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Gloves, a beanie, warm layers, a thermos and microspikes if there's ice. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Licensed hiking guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy points for the loyalty programme
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Travel to Orta San Giulio
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Elevation gain
350 m
Max altitude
576 m
Distance
11 km
Duration
4 h
Map
Tuesday
8 Dec
11 km · D+ 350 m · 4 h
Meeting point 9:30approximate
Meeting at Orta, Orta San Giulio, provincia di Novara, Italia. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
HOW TO GET THERE
A
09:30MEETING
Meeting at Orta
We meet the Guidders at the Orta car park and take the trail towards Buccione.
B
10:30VIEWPOINT
Buccione Tower
The medieval tower on the hill: first view over the lake and the island.
C
11:45VILLAGE
Ameno
We cross the village of villas and gardens. Anyone keen has lunch here at a trattoria.
D
12:30CHURCH
The Monte Mesma convent
The Franciscan convent and the viewpoint over the lake and Monte Rosa. Packed lunch.
E
14:30RETURN
Back to Orta
We drop to the village and finish with a stroll through Orta's lanes.

How do you get to Orta San Giulio? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
for the selected date
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Backpack
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Waterproof shell
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED

Guiddy Experience

Tuesday 8 December
GuiddyExcursion
Hikes picked for you

Guides and coordinators we pick for you.

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
—
no reviews yet
Itinerary—
Organisation—
Overall experience—
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Paths, mule tracks or wide trails requiring little physical preparation. You need to be fit enough to walk for 4 h with 350 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 3 days before (for this date: 4 December, 23:59)
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Ibex
Still have questions? Ask Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this outing is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Hi, I'm Ibex. Ask me anything about this outing: level, what to bring, meeting point, car pooling, payment.
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice. Prefer WhatsApp?
Lake Orta: from Buccione Tower to Monte Mesma, the loop of viewpoints

Lake Orta: from Buccione Tower to Monte Mesma, the loop of viewpoints

Orta San Giulio, (NO) · Piemonte
1 day · Hiking · 576 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
350 m
Max altitude
576 m
Distance
11 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
4 h
Guiddy points
+13
7 photos
+3 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Buccione and Monte Mesma on Lake Orta

Lake Orta in November is the right lake: no crowds, low morning mists that open over the island of San Giulio, and two viewpoints nobody knows. The medieval Buccione Tower and the convent on Monte Mesma, above Ameno, look at the lake from two different sides.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

We start from Orta San Giulio and climb through the woods to the Buccione Tower, the lookout that warned the lake of attacks. We continue on trails and mule tracks to Ameno, a village of villas and gardens, and on to Monte Mesma, with its Franciscan convent and views over the lake and Monte Rosa.

Packed lunch at the Mesma or a trattoria in Ameno, then down to Orta with time for the village and, light permitting, the Sacro Monte.

From 25 October the Sacro Monte chapels close at 4 pm: visit at the end of the walk. Paid parking in Orta: car pooling recommended.

Orta San Giulio is an hour and ten from Milan: A26 to Arona or Borgomanero, then the lake road. Paid parking at the village entrance. By train, Orta-Miasino is on the Novara–Domodossola line. Car pooling in the Telegram group.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
EASY
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
350 m D+ · 11 km · 4 h
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 4 h and 350 m of ascent ahead, an easy pace, suitable for beginners
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Gloves, a beanie, warm layers, a thermos and microspikes if there's ice. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Licensed hiking guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy points for the loyalty programme
NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Travel to Orta San Giulio

Itinerary

Tuesday · approximate times
Map
Explore the map
5 stops
Meeting point 9:30Meeting at Orta
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
A
09:30MEETING
Meeting at Orta
We meet the Guidders at the Orta car park and take the trail towards Buccione.
B
10:30VIEWPOINT
Buccione Tower
The medieval tower on the hill: first view over the lake and the island.
C
11:45VILLAGE
Ameno
We cross the village of villas and gardens. Anyone keen has lunch here at a trattoria.
D
12:30CHURCH
The Monte Mesma convent
The Franciscan convent and the viewpoint over the lake and Monte Rosa. Packed lunch.
E
14:30RETURN
Back to Orta
We drop to the village and finish with a stroll through Orta's lanes.

How do you get to Orta San Giulio? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
for this date
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike.
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Backpack
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Waterproof shell
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED

Guiddy Experience

Tuesday 8 December
GuiddyExcursion
Hikes picked for you

Guides and coordinators we pick for you.

Reviews

— · none yet
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
Only from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Paths, mule tracks or wide trails requiring little physical preparation. You need to be fit enough to walk for 4 h with 350 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Tue 8 Dec
€24.90
per person
✓ GROUP CONFIRMED
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed