Monteviasco: a tourist attraction near to Lake Maggiore

A tiny village with no paved roads, no traffic lights, no cars, You can only get Monteviasco on foot (staircase of 1,400 steps) or by cable car.
Monteviasco is perched on a hillside and appears like a remnant from an ancient civilization where the time has stopped. We are in Veddasca Valley overlooking the town of Luino, just a few dozen kilometers in a crow fly from Lake Maggiore and close to the border with Switzerland. It is a frazione (hamlet) within the municipality of Curiglia con Monteviasco.

Monteviasco is a lovely village in which the tradition overtakes modernity. In the past, the only way to access the hilltop village was to climb the long staircase of 1,400 steps.The trail is 1.4 km long, gradient 30%, elevation gain 410 metres.

The only concession to the modernity is a cable car from the valley floor to the village. You can also get here along the mule trails from Switzerland (from Monte Lema and from Monte Tamaro).

The characteristic architecture of the old town centre, which dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, consists of stone houses, wooden balconies and roofs in traditional flagstone. Even the original stone paving has remained intact for about 200 years. For those who get here on foot, climbing up the steep mountain trail, or by cable car, flying over the trees inside a cabin, Monteviasco remains a precious and picturesque tourist place to visit.

Today, the village of Monteviasco is home to only about a dozen residents. It is characterized by dry-stone buildings topped with distinctive "broad-brimmed" roofs. The village layout features a network of narrow, paved alleys that wind through covered passages and small squares, all centered around the prominent Church of Saints Martin and Barnabas. Its traditional architecture is defined by stone dwellings, charming wooden balconies, and classic piode (stone slab) roofs.

One of the village’s most captivating features is its network of narrow streets. Masterfully crafted by local artisans using expertly set stone, these alleys create an almost fairytale atmosphere. This timeless charm draws daily visitors who come to photograph a scene that feels like a modern-day nativity set.

Evidence of human history in this area dates back to prehistory, with ancient rock carvings still visible today in the surrounding hamlets. Archaeological interest in the region remains high, with recent discoveries even unearthing finds from the Bronze Age. However, the most famous local lore tells a darker tale: a legend of four bandits who hid away in these hills, bringing with them young girls they had abducted from a nearby village.

To help you make the most of your stay in Italian-Swiss Lake District we have put together a guide, packed full of information about all the tourist attractions around.

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