Cavallirio: Churches, Chapels and Nature Trails

Cavallirio combines historic churches and chapels with trails through Parco del Fenera and Riserva Naturale delle Baragge. If you are looking for a hotel in Cavallirio, it helps to prioritise the interests that matter for your stay: would you mainly like to learn about the town’s history, hike, or explore by bicycle? There are specific options for all three, which you can weigh differently when planning your trip.

Hiking, Cycling and Landscape

In Cavallirio and its surrounding area, you can hike on foot, by bicycle or on horseback along trails in Parco del Fenera and Riserva Naturale delle Baragge. Parco del Fenera also has alternative nature trails that are suitable for both mountain bikes and regular bicycles. You can plan your activities around your preferred way of getting around and, when cycling, distinguish between the types of bicycle specifically mentioned.

A walk through the Baraggia can begin on the strada vicinale di San Germano in the settlement of the same name. It leads through the Bonda di San Germano hollow and on to open areas with purple moor grass and heather. This creates a sequence from the starting point in San Germano, through the hollow, to the open areas. With a little luck, you may spot hares, pheasants, larks and thrushes there; traces of roe deer and wild boar may also be found. Possible wildlife sightings and animal tracks are two distinct aspects of this landscape.

Cavallirio is one of the municipalities in the 3,378-hectare Parco Naturale del Monte Fenera. Another specific reference point for hikers is the third stage of the Cammino delle Colline Novaresi: the route reaches the remains of the Torre di Cavallirio, descends to the Casotti delle vigne and then continues into the centre of Cavallirio. The sequence links distinctive landmarks with the town centre without equating the individual sections. Short detours and trail conditions may change, so check the latest route information before setting out.

Churches, Chapels and Local History

Paintings by Andrea Miglio from 1846–1847 in the Chiesa Parrocchiale preserve the memory of a specific period of artistic activity. Two side marble altars date from 1778 and are attributed to the sculptor Giudice. The dates place these furnishings in chronological order: the altars are older than the paintings. Outside the church, the Ossario contains notable 18th-century frescoes.

Other buildings also reflect different periods. The Oratorio dell'Assunta was completed in 1616 and has a marble altar dating from 1753. The antica casa parrocchiale in the Suloro district dates from the 16th century; its sundials were made in the 17th century. In these examples, the construction period and later furnishings belong to different periods.

The Oratorio di San Rocco dates from 1770. It was built as a votive offering after an epidemic, at the initiative of Don Giovanni Ranzini, and is now privately owned. The chapels of the Tre Madonnine were built in the mid-19th century; the artists who painted them are unknown. These chapels are also privately owned. The remains of the Torre di Cavallirio stand at 469 metres above sea level and are also a waypoint on the third stage of the Cammino delle Colline Novaresi.

Another part of the town’s history is the Barbaglia company in Cavallirio. Its tradition dates back to 1946, when Mario Barbaglia founded the company. This business history adds to the area’s historic connections with churches, chapels and tower remains.

Discover more destinations: Comignago, Gargallo, Miasino, Fara Novarese, Cureggio, Bogogno, Galliate, Vaprio D'agogna.

For the broader travel overview: Novara.