Quarna Sopra: Mountain Views, Churches and Trails

Mountain Views and Trails

When considering Quarna Sopra as a travel destination, the highlights range from mountain views to the local history of sacred sites and specific routes. At 1,424 metres, Monte Mazzoccone is the highest point in Quarna Sopra and offers panoramic views of Lake Orta from the summit. Monte Castellaccio offers views of Lake Orta and Mottarone. The trails from Quarna Sopra lead to viewpoints over Lake Orta and to former alpine pastures. For your itinerary, the landscape-related highlights can be treated as separate focal points in a day plan.

Churches and Historic Village Centre

The Church of Santo Stefano was built in the second half of the 16th century as an extension of an existing church. The Church of Santo Stefano is freely accessible during services. It houses an organ created in 1727 as one of Giuseppe Serassi’s first works. The Oratorio di San Rocco was built between the 13th and 14th centuries as the first church of Quarna Sopra and was used primarily as a baptistery church. The Oratorio di San Rocco is located in the old village centre of Quarna Sopra, which was the civic, economic and religious centre of the community until the 18th century. Santo Stefano and San Rocco represent different historical phases of construction and use.

Festivals and Wall Art

The Oratorio della Madonna del Pero was built in 1598 and dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The Madonna del Pero festival traditionally takes place on the last Sunday in August. The annual Madonna della Neve festival at Fontegno takes place on the first Sunday in August. Ferragosto quarnese takes place in August, alternating with Quarna Sotto. Since 2018, the Festival del Muro Dipinto has equipped Quarna Sopra with 24 works: murals and mosaics. The cultural events differ in format: two Sunday festivals, an alternating August event and a festival featuring murals and mosaics.

Alpe Campello

Alpe Campello, also known as Campello, is considered Quarna Sopra’s sports area. Alpe Campello includes a children’s playground.

Routes Around Quarna Sopra

The C08 Gravellona Toce–Quarne cycle route runs along the hairpin bends leading to Quarna Sotto and Quarna Sopra. The “Castellaccio (Monte) e Monte Ciar da Cireggio” hiking route first reaches the first houses of Quarna Sopra and then continues to Monte Castellaccio. The Anello di Quarna circular route reaches Quarna Sopra at an altitude of 860 metres and passes the Oratorio della Madonna del Pero. These three routes are clearly distinguishable by type: cycle route, hiking route and circular route.

Other destinations: Valstrona, Oggebbio, Gignese, Cannero Riviera, Arizzano, Cesara, Villadossola, Miazzina

To the higher-level travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.