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The Lago Maggiore area takes in a huge variety of landscapes, starting from the endlessly flat Po Valley paddy fields and soaring up to the summit of Europe's second highest mountain, at 4634 metres higher.

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There is therefore an enormous variety in the types of nature reserves, encompassing wetlands, religious sites, high peaks and Italy’s largest wilderness area, Val Grande.

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Some of these reserves are suitable for the car-bound but to get the most out of them, you usually need to change into your walking gear.  The Alpe Veglia and Alpe Devero nature reserve, for example, comprises two stunningly picturesque, feature stunning car-free mountain villages.

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Magnificent natural features that you’ll be able to admire in the nature reserves include glaciers, waterfalls, wetlands, gorges and of course countless small lakes.

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Glaciers

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Though the glaciers are shrinking, the area between Lago Maggiore and the Swiss border still offers great opportunities for getting up close.

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The remaining glaciers are clustered primarily in two areas: one on the slopes of Monte Rosa, Europe's second highest mountain above Macugnaga, easy to visit by chairlift, and another area further north, in a sliver of territory between Formazza and the Swiss border.

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Waterfalls

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A trip to the beautiful Walser village of Formazza can also be combined with a visit to Cascata del Toce (Toce waterfall), which with a leap of 143 metres, is touted as Europe’s highest waterfall.

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Gorges

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Given the number of mountain streams flowing down from high peaks towards Lago Maggiore, there are ravines and gorges aplenty but the most impressive are grouped together in an area south of Formazza, the triangle of Italian territory poking up into Switzerland.

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Take a glance at a map of the local area and you can sense the fear that certain natural features such as ravines and gorges must once have exercised over the impressionable local populace.

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References to witches, devils, giant’s cauldrons and other mythical figures abound whilst one of the most commonly used Italian words for gorge is aptly “orrido”. 

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This is a land steeped in magic, mystery  and mythology, where one’s imagination can run wild. Even nowadays, on a gloomy winter’s day descending into the eerie Orridi di Uriezzo network of ravines can be a chilling experience.

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Wetlands

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With so many lowland lakes in the Lago Maggiore area it is no surprise that marshland and reed beds also abound; many are nature reserves complete with wetland trails, informative signage and bird hides.

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Peaceful and serene in winter, in summer you can expect a cacophonous welcome with an entrancing chorus of warbling, croaking, rustling and shrieking sounds emitted by the often invisible birdlife.

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Lakes

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If you like to get off the beaten track, you'll find plenty of smaller pristine lakes, each with its own distinctive characteristics and each one appealing to different users so you can choose which one suits your particular needs.

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There are several which are perfect for swimming, where the water is so clean it is almost drinkable; others are great for boating whilst a couple looped by cycle tracks (Lago di Varese e Lago di Comabbio) make ideal destinations for an active workout.