Untouched nature, rare treasures, and hidden beauties await you!

Located in Dormelletto in the province of Novara, the Natural Park of Lagoni di Mercurago was established in 1980 through a public initiative, with the aim of protecting a natural area consisting of woods, reserved pastures, and trails offering a wonderful view of Lake Maggiore. The territory is managed together with the Fondotoce and Dormelletto Reeds Reserves and the Parks Authority of Lake Maggiore.

You can visit this destination in any season, as it offers different beauties: lush vegetation in summer, autumn colors and harvests, and ice suitable for skating on the Lagone in winter.

To make the most of this natural beauty, you can follow specific marked thematic trails:

The Red Trail allows you to explore the woods, where, if lucky, you might encounter squirrels, hares, rodents, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. It features heathlands, birches, pines, and chestnut trees.

The Blue Trail highlights the wetlands that represent the park’s natural beauty, where various aquatic animals and amphibians can be found. It consists of large marshy areas formed by the melting of a glacier about 10,000 years ago!

The Purple Trail is dedicated to archaeology, offering an interesting itinerary that includes the discovery of two necropolises: one dating back to the Golasecca culture (6th-5th century BC) with 10 stone cist tombs, and the other from the Roman era, featuring 10 tombs made using different materials and techniques.

Finally, the Orange Trail focuses on productive activities that are essential for the park’s life, including the breeding of racehorses, an important tradition of the 20th century, as well as small-scale equine and bovine farming and agricultural activities.

Lake Viverone

The lake holds historical importance due to findings of stilt-house settlements, organized into villages along its shores.

But that’s not all! For sports and mountain biking enthusiasts, there are specific trails to enjoy the experience in close contact with nature and fresh air. For history lovers, trails have been created to connect the protected area with the surrounding municipalities.

The second UNESCO World Heritage Site is the fascinating Lake Viverone, of glacial origin, the third-largest lake in Piedmont after Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, located between the provinces of Biella and Turin.

Rich in forests, it is ideal for birdwatchers and offers trails lasting 30-40 minutes, where you can also stop for a break or a picnic.