Lake Orta is a little corner of paradise just a few kilometres from the world-famous Lake Maggiore. Gentle slopes divide the two bodies of water and reach their highest point on Mount Mottarone, at an altitude of 1,419 metres (4,656 ft). Lake Orta is of glacial origin and lies entirely in Piedmont; it’s easily recognised by its iconic island – San Giulio.

The Blue Ring is an itinerary of about 40 kilometres (25 mi) divided into three stages – suitable for anyone who wants to discover the beauty of these places at a leisurely pace. The best time to set out is from spring to autumn. In summer, I recommend taking advantage of the cooler hours, because it gets very hot.

As you walk along the shores of the lake, savour traditional local dishes and soak up the atmosphere of the small stone villages, which have seen the passage of many famous artists over the centuries.

The route starts and ends at the Sacro Monte of Orta San Giulio, a place of great religious and artistic significance. The protagonist, however, will always be the lake with its many facets, the different shades of the water and the mountains reflected in it.

You can get to Orta San Giulio by train, getting off at the Orta-Miasino stop which is connected by direct trains to Novara station. Novara, in turn, can be reached from both Turin and Milan. Timetables and connections can be found on the Trenitalia website.

I recommend booking accommodation well in advance, because Lake Orta is a popular holiday and weekend destination. There are also a few campsites at all three arrival points. In case there’s sparse availability, you can choose a single base and reach the starting point of the stage by boat every morning. You can find more information on the boat service at: navigazionelagodorta.it.