Vira Gambarogno-Monti di Gerra-Vira Gambarogno

The tour starts in Vira Gambarogno and follows a minor road up to Gerra Gambarogno, passing several hilltop villages en route. You get fantastic views of the lake all the way. This is a good winegrowing region, as the slopes of Monte Gambarogno are sun-drenched in summer. More than 950 different species of camellias and 450 different magnolias grow in the Botanical Garden, between Piazzogna and Vairano. On reaching Gerra, a short but steep climb leads to Monti di Gerra, a pretty hamlet immersed in nature. You can either return to Vira the same way or descend to the lake at Gerra and then back along the main road to Vira. There is a public lido – Shaka Beach – in Vira, perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.