There’s a moment, in the morning, when you step out of the Guest House with your backpack and think: “Which way do I go?” If you’re in Miasino, the answer is simpler than it seems. Just pick a color.
Pale Blue, Turquoise, indigo, blue. Four Rings. One name: the Quadrifoglio of Ameno.
What is the Quadrifoglio of Ameno (and why everyone’s talking about it)
The Quadrifoglio Trails are a network of four loop routes winding around Ameno, a small Piedmont village just steps from Lake Orta. Altogether, they cover 33.6 km, with a total elevation gain of 1,215 meters. They were designed by expert walker Riccardo Carnovalini and are 90% rideable by mountain bike and on horseback.
These aren’t just any trails. Each loop has a clear identity: there’s the meditative one, the historical-artistic one, the one for those who really want to sweat, and the one that takes you straight to a Fellini mural. Each starts from Ameno (Piazza Marconi) or Vacciago, and is marked with white and red signs and arrows.
The good news if you’re staying at Seme di Faggio: Miasino is inside the Quadrifoglio, not outside. Step out the gate and you’re already on the trail. No car, no transfers. Just comfortable shoes and the urge to explore.
The four rings: pick your color
🔵 Pale Blue Ring — Art, history, and a convent with a view
7.5 km | about 3 hours | easy
The most accessible of the group, perfect to start. It begins in Ameno or Vacciago, passes through the Calderara Foundation (contemporary art in a medieval village, yes really), climbs to the Monte Mesma Convent with views over the lake and Monte Rosa, and crosses the Roman bridge of Membra. Thousand-year history, zero strain. → [Read the full post on the Pale Blue Ring]
🩵 Turquoise Ring — The walk you don’t expect
6.2 km | about 2 hours | very easy | 95% rideable by MTB
The calmest loop, ideal if you want to walk without overthinking it. It crosses the neo-Gothic park of Palazzo Tornielli, descends toward the Agogna plain among old mills and farmhouses, and returns to Ameno along the old Santa Caterina mule track. It also passes through Pisogno, a hamlet of Miasino — so yes, you basically cross it from home. → [Read the full post on the The Turquoise Ring]
🟣 Indigo Ring — For those who want to earn the view
11.6 km | about 4h30 | challenging | elevation gain 545 m
This is the one that makes you feel alive. It climbs up to 791 meters, the highest point of the entire Quadrifoglio, through the Oltreagogna area and hamlets like Cassano — a true panoramic balcony. In the first kilometers, you’ll find the WWF Educational Trail with over 15 panels on flora, fauna, and climate change. At Alpe Cascinone, three centuries-old beech trees are waiting. They ask for nothing, just that you look at them. → [Read the full post on the Indigo Ring]
💙 Blue Ring — Art, lake, and a village that feels like a movie
9 km | medium
The most scenic. It descends to Legro, a hamlet of Orta known as the “painted village” for its movie-themed murals — from Fellini to Gigi Proietti, all on walls. Then it reaches Orta San Giulio and climbs back toward Miasino, where San Rocco Church and Villa Nigra await. Deer included, not guaranteed but common. → [Read the full post on the Blue Ring]
From Miasino to the Quadrifoglio: stepping out the gate is already a start
Seme di Faggio isn’t just where you sleep before walking. It’s the natural starting point for two of the four Rings. The Turquoise Ring passes through Pisogno, just a few minutes on foot. The Blue Ring climbs right back toward Miasino, with Villa Nigra and San Rocco as final stops.
It means you can plan your stay like a small tour: one loop a day, a solid breakfast, back by dinner time. No transfers, no complicated logistics. The territory does the work for you.
And if you want to do all four? With four days, you can take it easy, no rush, stopping at every WWF panel and every mural in Legro. Actually, that’s exactly how it should be done.
Practical information
- Main starting point: Piazza Marconi, Ameno (NO)
- Signage: white and red arrows and markers with the name/color of each Ring
- Mountain bike: 90% rideable (Turquoise Ring 95%)
- Horses: allowed on the same routes
- Family-friendly: Pale Blue and Turquoise yes; Indigo only for trained teens
- Total duration (all four): about 14 hours overall, spread over multiple days
Still deciding whether to come? You already know where to stay. → [Check out the rooms at Seme di Faggio]
Frequently asked questions about the Quadrifoglio Trails
What are the Quadrifoglio Trails of Ameno? They are a network of four loop routes around the village of Ameno, in the province of Novara, near Lake Orta. The routes are called Pale Blue, Turquoise, Indigo, and Blue Ring, for a total of 33.6 km and 1,215 meters of elevation gain. They were designed by walker Riccardo Carnovalini and created to promote sustainable tourism in the Cusio area.
Where do the Quadrifoglio Trails start? The main starting point is Piazza Marconi in Ameno (NO). Some Rings, like the Pale Blue, can also start from the hamlet of Vacciago. Those staying in Miasino can directly access the Turquoise and Blue Rings without needing a car.
Are the Quadrifoglio Trails suitable for families with children? The Pale Blue Ring (7.5 km, easy) and the Turquoise Ring (6.2 km, very easy) are suitable for children with a basic level of fitness. The Indigo Ring, at 11.6 km with 545 meters of elevation gain, is the most demanding and not recommended for small children. The Blue Ring (9 km) is of medium difficulty.
Can the trails be done by mountain bike? Yes. 90% of the routes are rideable by mountain bike, with the Turquoise Ring reaching 95%. The trails are also accessible on horseback along the same sections.
How long does it take to complete all four Quadrifoglio Rings? The total walking time is about 14 hours, divided as follows: Pale Blue ~3h, Turquoise ~2h, Indigo ~4h30, Blue ~3–4h. Those staying in the area can plan one loop per day, with a long weekend or short week based in Miasino or Ameno.
Is there signage along the Quadrifoglio Trails? Yes. All routes are marked with white and red arrows and trail markers showing the name or color of the corresponding loop. A guide isn’t necessary, but a paper or digital map is always recommended for the more remote sections of the Indigo Ring.
