Lagoni di Mercurago is a verdant oasis encompassing a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extensive woodland interspersed with meadows and small lakes. 

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Just a kilometre from Arona, the nature reserve is a popular green lung for local people, so much so that it can get a little crowded on weekends with mountain bikers, horse riders, runners and walkers all jostling for space.

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To get away from the crowds, venture off the main dirt track where you'll find a dense network of tranquil paths and tracks weaving their way amongst the trees, mostly on flattish terrain.

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In additions to locals walking off their Sunday roast, The Lagoni di Mercurago should also appeal to bird-lovers and archaeologists. The former because the nature reserve boasts some magnificent wetlands: plenty of boggy marshland and a couple of lakes (Lagoni means big lakes in Italian), the larger one of which used to be popular with skaters in winter.

 

Prehistoric pile-dwellings

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Archeologically, the area is of great interest as Italy’s first prehistoric pile-dwellings and a pirogue were discovered here in the 19th century. For this reason, together with many other sites throughout the Alps, the Lagoni di Mercurago site was awarded World Heritage Status.

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Mercurago is also the site of a Roman necropolis. Dotted around the park, you will find many useful visitor information panels providing information on the area’s archaeological and natural attractions. Not every World Heritage Site is as exciting as the next though and apart from a dense canopy of trees, there’s not that much to see (all artefacts discovered are housed in museums either in Arona or Turin) so if you’re really time-strapped, it might be better to give this site a miss and find something truly special.

One final word of warning: During the summer months, mosquitoes can be a problem at any time of day.