Monte Faiè from Bracchio: the balcony between Lake Maggiore, Mergozzo and Monte Rosa

Faiè is the panoramic summit of the lower Verbano: from the top you count Lake Maggiore, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Orta and, behind, the Monte Rosa wall. An hour and twenty from Milan, it is the closest autumn walk with a view like this.

The route

We start from Bracchio, a hamlet of Mergozzo, and climb through beech and chestnut woods to Alpe Vercio and its hermitage. From there the trail keeps climbing steadily to the cross on Monte Faiè, 1,352 m.

Lunch on the summit, lake below and Alps ahead. Down the same side, with afternoon light on the Verbano.

Who it's for

• anyone who wants a huge view close to home
• fit walkers: a thousand metres of climbing is a serious day
• anyone after beech colours in October and November

Good to know

No hut open on the route: packed lunch. The trail stays in the woods until the last three hundred metres, so it is cool even in early autumn.

Getting there

Bracchio is an hour and twenty from Milan: A26 to Gravellona Toce, then Mergozzo and the hamlet of Bracchio. Free parking in the village. By train, Mergozzo is on the Domodossola line. Car pooling in the outing's Telegram group.