There is a thread that flows and connects everything, an element that designs the landscape and sets the pace for every new discovery: it’s water, the protagonist of an itinerary that crosses Upper Piedmont among nature, history, contemplation, and adventure. From the shores of the lakes to the banks of the rivers, from cycle paths immersed in greenery to rushing rapids, water tells the story of a surprising territory, to be experienced by following its course.
Shores, Rapids, and Reflections: The Water that Reveals the Territory
Where the Ticino River exits Lake Maggiore, in the Castelletto Ticino area, begins a cycle route that crosses the province of Novara from north to south. Sixty-three kilometers of dirt roads, bridges, and countryside, along a route closed to traffic (except for some brief stretches) and perfect for letting yourself be carried along by the flow of the water. You pass through small towns and lush forests, encountering Pombia—where the Church of San Vincenzo in Castro is located, an example of Romanesque architecture of such great historical and artistic interest that it has been recognized as a national monument—Marano Ticino, Oleggio with the Romanesque Church of San Michele, Bellinzago Novarese, where it’s worth stopping at the Mulino Vecchio (Old Mill), now the Regional Center for Environmental Education, or Cameri, with Villa Picchetta, headquarters of the Management Authority for the Protected Areas of Ticino and Lake Maggiore. The road then slides down to Galliate with the Visconti-Sforza Castle, Romentino, Trecate, and finally Cerano. This route is also a total immersion in a natural setting, among canals, poplar groves, and peaceful atmospheres.
From water that relaxes and accompanies, to water that stirs and surprises: in Valsesia, in fact, water is the protagonist of breathtaking experiences. Here you can choose between rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and hydrospeed, following the course of the rapids nestled among the valleys. The territory, shaped by the Sesia River and its tributaries, is a paradise for lovers of river sports, with equipped routes and glimpses of extraordinary beauty that are revealed between one wave and the next.
In the Biella area too, it’s adrenaline that dominates. Lake Viverone is the realm of the most challenging water sports, from wakeboarding to SUP and water skiing. And then there are boats, pedal boats, canoes, motorboats, hiking, horseback riding, cycling, quad biking, and go-karts: a range of activities designed for every type of traveler, enriched by a vast choice of restaurants and accommodation facilities, making Viverone an ideal destination for athletes, families, and lovers of relaxation. And that’s not all: on the shores of the lake, within a sports center, there is also an area dedicated to mini-golf, perfect for having fun and getting comfortable with your swing.
In the Vercelli area, water marks the landscape with its slow and silent rhythm. It is here that the Po River crosses a territory of great naturalistic value, protected by the Piedmont Po River Natural Park. Among the municipalities in the area, you’ll find alternating rice fields, woods, spring sources, and reserves perfect for birdwatching, such as the Isola Santa Maria Reserve and the San Genuario Marsh. This stretch of the park preserves important biodiversity and also tells a centuries-old history, evidenced by villages such as Crescentino, a stop along the Via Francigena and home to the medieval tower that houses the largest bell in the Vercelli area, or Fontanetto Po, birthplace of the violinist Viotti and site of the ancient water-powered mill and rice mill. Not far away, Trino holds treasures such as the Abbey of Lucedio and the Bosco delle Sorti della Partecipanza, a rare example of a lowland forest that has survived over time, while Palazzolo Vercellese surprises with its calanchi (badlands): spectacular walls shaped by water, perfect for exploring by bike.
And in the famous lakes of Upper Piedmont, water reveals another precious facet. Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, and Lake Mergozzo are three pearls that reflect a layered beauty, made up of history, sport, and nature, whose waters invite exploration by canoe and kayak.
On Lake Maggiore, the Tramontana and Inverna winds blow all year round, making it the ideal place for regattas and sailing, celebrated every June by the Verbania Vela Festival. But it is also a destination of great charm for those seeking moments of relaxation surrounded by the beauty of historic palaces and the greenery of lush gardens that dot the lake’s coastline and the magnificent islands of the Borromeo Gulf.
The “water routes” also reach the rivers and Alpine lakes nestled among the Ossola mountains, where you can enjoy the beauty of these bodies of water along regenerating trekking routes.
Water as a Guide, Wonder as a Destination
Upper Piedmont, seen from the water, is a constantly moving mosaic, where every piece holds a story ready to be revealed. Whether you are riding a bicycle or paddling a canoe, navigating rushing rapids or quiet nature reserves, wonder is always there, within sight, ready to slip through your hands.
For more information on the project “Vivi Alto Piemonte – A Mosaic of Wonders” and future initiatives,