PROPOSED BY THE GUIDE
iWhat does it mean?

Mercurago Lakes & San Carlone Trek: A scenic hike overlooking Lake Maggiore.

Arona, Novara · Piemonte•1 day•Hiking · 320 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
EASY PLUS
Where?
Novara, Piemonte
On your own?
No problem
Points
+11
Mercurago Lakes & San Carlone Trek: A scenic hike overlooking Lake Maggiore.
Community photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

The Mercurago lakes and San Carlone

There are places where time truly slows down, and the Guidders know this well. This trek in the Parco Naturale dei Lagoni di Mercurago is one of them: an experience that combines nature, history, and views of Lake Maggiore in a surprising way.

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

The experience

We will walk through silent woods and ancient peat bogs, crossing a UNESCO site where traces of ancient prehistoric pile dwellings are still visible. Here, archaeology is not confined to a museum: it is alive, immersed in the landscape.

Then the rhythm changes: we ascend towards the hill of Arona to encounter the majestic Statue of Saint Charles Borromeo, the famous “San Carlone”. A bronze giant 35 meters high that dominates the lake and offers one of the most iconic views in Northern Italy.

A perfect excursion for those looking for an easy but content-rich trek: nature, history, lake, and views that remain etched in your memory.

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.
+11 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
EASY PLUS
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
150 m D+ · 18 km · 7 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 7 h and 150 m of ascent ahead, if you go on a long walk now and then, you'll be fine
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket. 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
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Travel to Arona
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

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

Elevation gain
150 m
Max altitude
320 m
Distance
18 km
Duration
7 h
Day
18 km · D+ 150 m · 7 h
Map
The stops · 18 km
Meeting point 9:30approximate
Largo Duca D'Aosta 4, 28041 Arona 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
09:30MEETING
Arona (NO) Train Station
Arona (NO) Stazione ferroviaria, ritrovo e partenza escursione
11:00VIEWPOINT
"Natural Park"
Parco Regionale Naturale dei Lagoni
12:30VIEWPOINT
Lagone
Lake and peat bogs of the natural park
13:00CHURCH
San Carlo Borromeo
Nature Trail through the Woods to the Colossus of Saint Charles Borromeo
16:00VIEWPOINT
Lakeside Trail
Lungo lago Arona
16:30RETURN
Arona Train Station (NO)
End of Hike: Arona Train Station (Novara)

How do you get to Arona? 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
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Windproof
REQUIRED
Visor hat
REQUIRED
Sunscreen
REQUIRED
Sunglasses
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Mineral salts and supplements
RECOMMENDED
Moisturizing cream
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Gianpaolo
Gianpaolo
· 35 outings
We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Gianpaolo, an environmental hiking guide and tour leader: from Brianza originally, but long since at home in the province of Parma. My real home, though, is whatever trail I'm walking. I carry the mountains in my heart and a passion for long-distance routes in my backpack, and I don't have a favourite place: lacing up my boots and setting off is enough. What I enjoy most is sharing kilometres and feelings with whoever is walking beside me, because every outing is a journey and every group a new story to live step by step. The backpack is always ready. 🎒 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

Italiano
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

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 7 h with 150 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? Message 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.
Message Ibex on WhatsApp
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice.
Mercurago Lakes & San Carlone Trek: A scenic hike overlooking Lake Maggiore.

Mercurago Lakes & San Carlone Trek: A scenic hike overlooking Lake Maggiore.

Arona, (NO) · Piemonte
1 day · Hiking · 320 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
150 m
Max altitude
320 m
Distance
18 km
Duration
7 h
Guiddy points
+11
5 photos
+1 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

The Mercurago lakes and San Carlone

There are places where time truly slows down, and the Guidders know this well. This trek in the Parco Naturale dei Lagoni di Mercurago is one of them: an experience that combines nature, history, and views of Lake Maggiore in a surprising way.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

We will walk through silent woods and ancient peat bogs, crossing a UNESCO site where traces of ancient prehistoric pile dwellings are still visible. Here, archaeology is not confined to a museum: it is alive, immersed in the landscape.

Then the rhythm changes: we ascend towards the hill of Arona to encounter the majestic Statue of Saint Charles Borromeo, the famous “San Carlone”. A bronze giant 35 meters high that dominates the lake and offers one of the most iconic views in Northern Italy.

A perfect excursion for those looking for an easy but content-rich trek: nature, history, lake, and views that remain etched in your memory.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
EASY PLUS
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
150 m D+ · 18 km · 7 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 7 h and 150 m of ascent ahead, if you go on a long walk now and then, you'll be fine
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Certified Guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
NOT INCLUDED
✕Travel to Arona

Itinerary

Day · approximate times
Map
Stops · 18 km
Meeting point 9:30Arona
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
09:30MEETING
Arona (NO) Train Station
Arona (NO) Stazione ferroviaria, ritrovo e partenza escursione
11:00VIEWPOINT
"Natural Park"
Parco Regionale Naturale dei Lagoni
12:30VIEWPOINT
Lagone
Lake and peat bogs of the natural park
13:00CHURCH
San Carlo Borromeo
Nature Trail through the Woods to the Colossus of Saint Charles Borromeo
16:00VIEWPOINT
Lakeside Trail
Lungo lago Arona
16:30RETURN
Arona Train Station (NO)
End of Hike: Arona Train Station (Novara)

How do you get to Arona? 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
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Windproof
REQUIRED
Visor hat
REQUIRED
Sunscreen
REQUIRED
Sunglasses
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Mineral salts and supplements
RECOMMENDED
Moisturizing cream
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Gianpaolo
Gianpaolo
35 outings with Guiddy
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Gianpaolo, an environmental hiking guide and tour leader: from Brianza originally, but long since at home in the province of Parma. My real home, though, is whatever trail I'm walking. I carry the mountains in my heart and a passion for long-distance routes in my backpack, and I don't have a favourite place: lacing up my boots and setting off is enough. What I enjoy most is sharing kilometres and feelings with whoever is walking beside me, because every outing is a journey and every group a new story to live step by step. The backpack is always ready. 🎒 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

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 7 h with 150 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?
⌄
Ibex
Still unsure? Message Ibex on WhatsApp →
No date
€25
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed