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Valganna in autumn: from the Badia di Ganna to Monte Martica, among lakes, mines and beech woods

Badia di San Gemolo, Varese · Lombardia•1 day · Saturday•Hiking · 1,032 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
Varese, Lombardia
On your own?
No problem
Points
+16
Valganna in autumn: from the Badia di Ganna to Monte Martica, among lakes, mines and beech woods
Community photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Guiddy Experience
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Monte Martica: golden Valganna

A Romanesque abbey at the foot of the valley, a little lake reflecting golden woods in November and a summit with First World War forts: Valganna in autumn is the closest surprise to Milan.

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

The experience

We set off with the Guidders from the Badia di San Gemolo in Ganna and walk along Lago di Ganna, a nature reserve among reeds and beeches. We climb into the Valvassera, past the old mines, then through the woods to the summit of Monte Martica, where we stop for lunch with the Varese lakes below. We return past the forts of the Cadorna Line and down through the beech wood to the abbey.

The Cadorna Line runs over Martica: fortifications built during the First World War to defend the Swiss border. The forts are still there, among the trees.

Anyone who walks regularly: the climb to Martica has a few steep bends, but nothing difficult.

Come and discover Valganna with the Guidders: history, water and golden leaves in the same day.

Ganna is just over an hour from Milan: motorway to Varese, then the Valganna road to the Badia di San Gemolo. 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
For the selected date: by 10 November, 23:59. You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+16 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+
600 m D+ · 11 km · 4h30
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 4h30 and 600 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Warm layers, a windproof jacket, 1.5 litres of water and a headlamp: the days are getting shorter, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Travel to Badia di San Gemolo
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

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

Elevation gain
600 m
Max altitude
1,032 m
Distance
11 km
Duration
4h30
Saturday
14 Nov
11 km · D+ 600 m · 4h30
Map
The stops · 11 km
Meeting point 9:30approximate
Meeting at the Badia di Ganna, Badia di San Gemolo, provincia di Varese, 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
Meeting at the Badia di Ganna
We meet the Guidders in front of the Badia di San Gemolo, in Ganna.
09:50LAKE
Lago di Ganna
The nature reserve among reeds and beeches, with the leaves mirrored in the water.
10:30VIEWPOINT
The Valvassera mines
We climb the valley past the old tunnels.
12:00SUMMIT
The summit of Martica
Packed lunch at the top, with the Varese lakes below us.
13:00VIEWPOINT
The Cadorna Line forts
The First World War fortifications, hidden in the woods.
14:45RETURN
Back to the abbey
We descend through the beeches to the abbey and say goodbye to the Guidders.

How do you get to Badia di San Gemolo? 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
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Warm gloves
RECOMMENDED
Warm hat
RECOMMENDED
Thermal shirt
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Camera
RECOMMENDED

Guiddy Experience

Saturday 14 November
GuiddyExperience
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?
⌄
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 4h30 with 600 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: 10 November, 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? 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.
Valganna in autumn: from the Badia di Ganna to Monte Martica, among lakes, mines and beech woods

Valganna in autumn: from the Badia di Ganna to Monte Martica, among lakes, mines and beech woods

Badia di San Gemolo, (VA) · Lombardia
1 day · Hiking · 1,032 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
600 m
Max altitude
1,032 m
Distance
11 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
4h30
Guiddy points
+16
5 photos
+1 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Monte Martica: golden Valganna

A Romanesque abbey at the foot of the valley, a little lake reflecting golden woods in November and a summit with First World War forts: Valganna in autumn is the closest surprise to Milan.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

We set off with the Guidders from the Badia di San Gemolo in Ganna and walk along Lago di Ganna, a nature reserve among reeds and beeches. We climb into the Valvassera, past the old mines, then through the woods to the summit of Monte Martica, where we stop for lunch with the Varese lakes below. We return past the forts of the Cadorna Line and down through the beech wood to the abbey.

The Cadorna Line runs over Martica: fortifications built during the First World War to defend the Swiss border. The forts are still there, among the trees.

Anyone who walks regularly: the climb to Martica has a few steep bends, but nothing difficult.

Come and discover Valganna with the Guidders: history, water and golden leaves in the same day.

Ganna is just over an hour from Milan: motorway to Varese, then the Valganna road to the Badia di San Gemolo. Car pooling in the outing's Telegram group.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
600 m D+ · 11 km · 4h30
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 4h30 and 600 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Warm layers, a windproof jacket, 1.5 litres of water and a headlamp: the days are getting shorter, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy accident insurance
NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Travel to Badia di San Gemolo

Itinerary

Saturday · approximate times
Map
Stops · 11 km
Meeting point 9:30Meeting at the Badia di Ganna
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
09:30MEETING
Meeting at the Badia di Ganna
We meet the Guidders in front of the Badia di San Gemolo, in Ganna.
09:50LAKE
Lago di Ganna
The nature reserve among reeds and beeches, with the leaves mirrored in the water.
10:30VIEWPOINT
The Valvassera mines
We climb the valley past the old tunnels.
12:00SUMMIT
The summit of Martica
Packed lunch at the top, with the Varese lakes below us.
13:00VIEWPOINT
The Cadorna Line forts
The First World War fortifications, hidden in the woods.
14:45RETURN
Back to the abbey
We descend through the beeches to the abbey and say goodbye to the Guidders.

How do you get to Badia di San Gemolo? 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
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Warm gloves
RECOMMENDED
Warm hat
RECOMMENDED
Thermal shirt
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Camera
RECOMMENDED

Guiddy Experience

Saturday 14 November
GuiddyExperience
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?
⌄
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 4h30 with 600 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 →
Sat 14 Nov
€24.90
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed