Ghirla | Scenic Pre-Alpine Village on a Fairytale Lake

Ghirla is a very attractive destination, a small village neighbourhood of the municipality of Valganna, located in a wild, beautiful valley with the fascinating city Varese situated at only 14,0 kilometres of distance, 71,6 kilometres from Milan with the relevant International Malpensa Airport just 53,8 kilometres away.

This scenic Pre-Alpine village is located on the shores of a scenic fairytale Lake in a stupendous hilly territory at the foothills of the Alps, a land which immediately attracts every visitor for its natural beauty greatly highlighted by picturesque landscapes and scattered appealing hamlets perched on sinuous crests part of a frame more than captivating.

You can start the visit to admire that local jewel called Lago di Ghirla a tiny lake which is a basin of glacier origin situated at 415,0 metres of altitude formed by the torrent Margorabbia which has its source in the local hills starting its descent at 630,0 metres of altitude.

That stream has some small tributaries such as the Boggione,Lisacora, Rancina,Grantorella and Chiesone embracing during its course also the river Tresa and ending in the Lake Maggiore.

That tiny Italian lake only covers a very small surface of 0,28 square kilometres but despite its reduced size it shows a very inspiring image surrounded by a fabulous natural frame consisting in green forests of pines and oaks.

The level of the waters increased in the late 19th century when in the local area was built a dam collecting the water of all those mentioned streams, operations which also were linked to an establishment of a power plant.

Lake Ghirla is 14.0-15.0 metres deep, the local temperature in summer is warm but ventilated at evening and night, in spring season is approximately 20o -21o with autumns pretty mild until October and cold winters especially in December and January.

The visit of the lake and its surroundings is great during all year. A special highlight of that captivating marvel is the formation of beautiful reflections generated by the sun rays falling on it with lights and reflections absolutely magnificent in every season, the shades of the hills and the sun lights form a great mix of colours particularly loved by photographers and tourism photo reporters with the impressive view of sunsets absolutely magic.

Spring season is particularly suggested for the spectacular tonalities formed by the green of the forests and that unmistakable dark blue of the waters but also autumns is pretty loved for the changes of the colours of the leaves of some trees next to the evergreen pines and the sun rays coming with another intensity.

Also in a day when the sun is a bit shy crossing with a timid ray a cloud and illuminating specific corners creating very suggestive images the image of that tiny diamond is highly suggestive.

Winter is also superb when it is surrounded by snow snow and that fabulous small basin is often frozen and that kind of image is extremely fascinating.

Aboout historic Incoming Tourism, the major flows started at the beginning of the 20th century when that lake started to be a destination for people coming from Varese and in a short time also from visitors from Milan searching to escape from the stressful urban life and looking for an enjoyable corner of peace finding in Ghirla thanks to its uncontaminated nature and fantastic landscapes highlighted by cool temperatures in summer a special heaven.

There was in that period a small train station connecting Varese at the foot of the Sacro Monte that charming mount characterised by its beauty and historic path packed by Chapels listed in the UNESCO sites to that place and in those years was developed a former camping which some years later became a very relevant source offering opportunities of pleasant stays in a fairytale environment.

That water basin was also site in contemporary times a site of rowing, kayak competitions and training, activities which were later moved to the new complex arouse on the shore of Lake Varese much bigger and closer to the city.?

Worth a special mention about other sports that in the early 20th century in winter season when Lake Ghirla was frozen it? was used in some occasions as ice rink and it boasts a record dating back 1914 was the track for the first Italian Championship of Ice Skating speed while in more recent times some people spend their pleasant times playing amateur Ice Hockey matches.

Fishing with license is another activity,? the visitor fond about that can find some kinds of fish such as perch, pike,bleak, and some big trout, all pretty commons species in the Lombard, Piedmont and Swiss lakes which meet their natural habitat considering the temperatures of those fresh waters ideal for their survival and reproduction.

Another brilliant opportunity is that to spend active tourism enjoying Horse riding thanks tothe presence horse stable organising lessons and excursions along beautiful trails in the nearest forest admiring the wild nature of Valganna which in a far comparison could be considered as a? little Italian Far West.

Relaxation, holidays, a camping, a park and a restaurant are a good combinations which make that place a great oasis of peace surrounded by many beautiful things and certainly offering a lot to do for the joy of many visitors.

Ghirla also has historic attractions as its Church, the Chiesa di San Cristoforo erected in 1897 ?on a large rectangular plan faithful in its architectural canons to the most refined baroque style in vogue in that period. Its large facade is characterized by marked lines and decorations in the lower section, rather sober in the upper part with the presence of a large pediment established under a red double-pitched roof.

The Maglio di Ghirla is another local icon consisting in an old trip hammer dated the 18th century used to manufacture iron. In the past it was considered one of the best of the entire Italian Peninsula with a consolidation of a notable reputation for the advanced system and in terms of production and despite nowadays it is not working due to the ceased activity it was restored not a long time ago and preserved as a local patrimony heritage site.

It is very easy to reach that small paradise. From Milan, taking the Motorway A8 in direction Varese, you have to take the exit indicating that city. Once you are there it is enough to take the SS233, National Road following the indications Valganna. If you are in the Capital of Lombardy you will take approximately one hour driving and 30/35 minutes from Malpensa Airport.

Visiting Ghirla is a splendid experience, nature, the view of the magnificent Alps, a tiny, scenic lake, art, history, peace and tranqullity, a perfect mix to enjoy a great day of tourism.

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Link : https://www.vareselandoftourism.com/code/16863/Lake-Ghirla