GUIDDY EXPERIENCE
iWhat does it mean?

The three Paione lakes in Val Bognanco: steps of water below Pizzo del Paione

San Bernardo di Bognanco, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola · Piemonte•1 day•Hiking · 2,270 m
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piemonte
On your own?
No problem
Points
+18
The three Paione lakes in Val Bognanco: steps of water below Pizzo del Paione
Community photos
See all photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Guiddy Experience
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Paione lakes

Three lakes stacked like steps: Lower, Middle and Upper. Val Bognanco is the quietest valley in Ossola and the Paione lakes are its signature walk, the one people repeat every autumn once they have done it.

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

The experience

We start from San Bernardo, at the end of the road, and climb a well-marked trail through larches and rhododendrons. The first lake comes after a good hour and a half; from there we climb step by step to the Upper Lake at 2,270 m, with Pizzo del Paione behind it.

Lunch on the rocks by the upper lake, then back down the same trail, unhurried.

Above 2,000 m the season ends early: the guide confirms the week before and with snow we pick a lower destination. Packed lunch, there are no huts on the route.

San Bernardo di Bognanco is an hour and forty-five from Milan: A26 and expressway to Domodossola, then the Val Bognanco road to its end. Free parking where the road ends. Car pooling in the outing's 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
You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+18 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.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
800 m D+ · 10 km · 5h30
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 5h30 and 800 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Certified Guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch or lunch at the hut
✕Parking
✕Travel to San Bernardo di Bognanco
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

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

Elevation gain
800 m
Max altitude
2,270 m
Distance
10 km
Duration
5h30
Map
Day
10 km · D+ 800 m · 5h30
Meeting point 8:45approximate
Meeting at San Bernardo, Oratorio di San Bernardo, provincia di Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, 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
08:45MEETING
Meeting at San Bernardo
We meet the Guidders where the Val Bognanco road ends. Boots laced and up we go.
B
10:30LAKE
The first lake
The Lower Lake appears suddenly in a bowl of larches. First break and first photos.
C
11:45LAKE
The Upper Lake
Step by step we reach the top lake, the largest, below Pizzo del Paione. Lunch on the rocks.
D
15:00RETURN
Back to San Bernardo
We return along the same trail and finish at the cars in the early afternoon.

How do you get to San Bernardo di Bognanco? 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
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
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Warm gloves
RECOMMENDED
Warm hat
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED

Guiddy Experience

GuiddyExcursion
Hikes picked for you

Guides and coordinators we pick for you.

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
4.8
5 reviews
Itinerary4.8
Organisation4.8
Overall experience4.8
Riccardo S.
Outing on 4 October 2026
Your guide
L
Lenka K.
Outing on 4 October 2026

Una bellissima scoperta di un posto nuovo. Il panorama e i laghi spettacolari con una giornata di sole☀️ in un ottima compagnia. Grazie Guiddy🫶🏻

Your guide
Alessandro R.
Outing on 4 October 2026

Ieri abbiamo fatto il trekking al Lago dei Paione, in Piemonte, ed è stata davvero una bellissima esperienza. Un complimento particolare a Davide, che ancora una volta si è dimostrato una guida eccezionale: un super organizzatore, capace di tenere il gruppo unito, molto empatico e sempre attento alle esigenze di tutti. Ascolta, si prende cura delle persone e riesce a farti sentire seguito, protetto e al sicuro durante tutto il percorso. E poi ci sono quelle piccole attenzioni che fanno davvero la differenza: si carica lo zaino con tutto il necessario per prepararci il caffè, porta dolci e riesce sempre a regalarci qualche momento di vera coccola. ☕🥰 Ma il complimento va anche a tutta l'organizzazione e a tutte le guide, perché si vede la passione e l'attenzione che mettete in quello che fate. Grazie davvero per la bellissima giornata. Riuscite sempre a organizzare tutto al meglio ed è sempre un piacere vivere nuove esperienze e fare trekking con voi. Alla prossima! 🥾🏔️❤️

Your guide
GIULIO D.
Outing on 4 October 2026
Your guide
Katia S.
Outing on 4 October 2026
Your guide

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 5h30 with 800 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
✓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?
The three Paione lakes in Val Bognanco: steps of water below Pizzo del Paione

The three Paione lakes in Val Bognanco: steps of water below Pizzo del Paione

San Bernardo di Bognanco, Oratorio di San Bernardo (VB) · Piemonte
1 day · Hiking · 2,270 m
Elevation gain
800 m
Max altitude
2,270 m
Distance
10 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
5h30
Guiddy points
+18
6 photos
+2 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Paione lakes

Three lakes stacked like steps: Lower, Middle and Upper. Val Bognanco is the quietest valley in Ossola and the Paione lakes are its signature walk, the one people repeat every autumn once they have done it.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

We start from San Bernardo, at the end of the road, and climb a well-marked trail through larches and rhododendrons. The first lake comes after a good hour and a half; from there we climb step by step to the Upper Lake at 2,270 m, with Pizzo del Paione behind it.

Lunch on the rocks by the upper lake, then back down the same trail, unhurried.

Above 2,000 m the season ends early: the guide confirms the week before and with snow we pick a lower destination. Packed lunch, there are no huts on the route.

San Bernardo di Bognanco is an hour and forty-five from Milan: A26 and expressway to Domodossola, then the Val Bognanco road to its end. Free parking where the road ends. Car pooling in the outing's Telegram group.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
800 m D+ · 10 km · 5h30
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 5h30 and 800 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Certified Guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch or lunch at the hut
✕Parking
✕Travel to San Bernardo di Bognanco

Itinerary

Day · approximate times
Map
Explore the map
4 stops
Meeting point 8:45Meeting at San Bernardo
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
A
08:45MEETING
Meeting at San Bernardo
We meet the Guidders where the Val Bognanco road ends. Boots laced and up we go.
B
10:30LAKE
The first lake
The Lower Lake appears suddenly in a bowl of larches. First break and first photos.
C
11:45LAKE
The Upper Lake
Step by step we reach the top lake, the largest, below Pizzo del Paione. Lunch on the rocks.
D
15:00RETURN
Back to San Bernardo
We return along the same trail and finish at the cars in the early afternoon.

How do you get to San Bernardo di Bognanco? By carpooling.

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

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
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
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Warm gloves
RECOMMENDED
Warm hat
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED

Guiddy Experience

GuiddyExcursion
Hikes picked for you

Guides and coordinators we pick for you.

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
4.8
5 reviews
Itinerary4.8
Organisation4.8
Overall experience4.8
Riccardo S.
Outing on 4 October 2026
Your guide
L
Lenka K.
Outing on 4 October 2026

Una bellissima scoperta di un posto nuovo. Il panorama e i laghi spettacolari con una giornata di sole☀️ in un ottima compagnia. Grazie Guiddy🫶🏻

Your guide
Alessandro R.
Outing on 4 October 2026

Ieri abbiamo fatto il trekking al Lago dei Paione, in Piemonte, ed è stata davvero una bellissima esperienza. Un complimento particolare a Davide, che ancora una volta si è dimostrato una guida eccezionale: un super organizzatore, capace di tenere il gruppo unito, molto empatico e sempre attento alle esigenze di tutti. Ascolta, si prende cura delle persone e riesce a farti sentire seguito, protetto e al sicuro durante tutto il percorso. E poi ci sono quelle piccole attenzioni che fanno davvero la differenza: si carica lo zaino con tutto il necessario per prepararci il caffè, porta dolci e riesce sempre a regalarci qualche momento di vera coccola. ☕🥰 Ma il complimento va anche a tutta l'organizzazione e a tutte le guide, perché si vede la passione e l'attenzione che mettete in quello che fate. Grazie davvero per la bellissima giornata. Riuscite sempre a organizzare tutto al meglio ed è sempre un piacere vivere nuove esperienze e fare trekking con voi. Alla prossima! 🥾🏔️❤️

Your guide
GIULIO D.
Outing on 4 October 2026
Your guide
Katia S.
Outing on 4 October 2026
Your guide

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 5h30 with 800 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?
⌄
No date
€24.90
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed