Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, situated in the province of Varese, encompasses the eponymous Campo dei Fiori Massif, a prominent component of the Varese Prealps mountain range, making it a designated protected natural area.
The Forte di Orino, situated in the heart of the park, is an extraordinary panoramic viewpoint offering stunning vistas of Lake Varese, Lake Monate, Lake Maggiore, the Valcuvia, Valganna, and, on the clearest days, the majestic Monte Rosa Massif. Beyond its scenic beauty, it also holds historical significance as part of the Cadorna Line, a defensive system from World War I.
During this excursion, I first enjoyed a bike ascent (using a Gravel model) and then continued with a light hike along the trail leading to the Forte di Orino.
Ascending Campo dei Fiori
The ascent from the parking area to the summit is quite manageable and popular among cyclists. For those like me who aren’t accustomed to tackling significant inclines on a bicycle, it can be quite challenging. However, despite the climb and some sections with a noticeable gradient, it’s certainly not an overly demanding climb. Plus, there’s always the downhill return, which is consistently quite relaxing.
Hike to Forte di Orino
The walk to Forte di Orino is accessible to anyone, essentially a family-friendly trail. Despite its lack of difficulty and minimal elevation change, the arrival with its incredible view is truly noteworthy and makes the excursion wonderful.
Some pics
