First things first: strategic breakfast
The golden rule of every wise hiker? Don’t fall for a breakfast buffet before a 9 km walk. At B&B Seme di Faggio, I learned to stop before the point of no return: a coffee, a slice of homemade cake (small, I swear), and off we go—ready to tackle the Blue Ring of Ameno. Today’s menu includes trails, art, murals, churches, and an uphill climb that will make you reconsider every past decision regarding food portions.
The itinerary (or at least what I remember)
We start in Piazza Marconi, right in front of Ameno’s Town Hall, with the classic existential question: “Did I lock the car?” After overcoming this dilemma, we set off towards Vacciago, sharing the path with the Pale Blue Ring (so it doesn’t feel left out). First stop: Sant’Antonio Abate Church, offering a breathtaking view of Lake Orta—and a great excuse to pause and catch your breath while pretending to admire the scenery.
From there, we descend to Legro, a seemingly typical Piedmontese village until you realize all its houses are covered in movie-themed murals. It’s like Cannes Film Festival—minus the red carpet and with more pigeons. Between a Fellini quote and a Gigi Proietti tribute, we arrive at Piazza della Fontana, a perfect Wes Anderson set (but with more humidity).
[If you don’t know Wes Anderson, you can try to get to know him by clicking here]
We continue to Orta San Giulio, a village that looks like a watercolor dream. We could visit Villa Crespi, but here’s the dilemma: do the tour, or survive the rest of the hike? After an internal debate, we march on.
[If you’re curious and want a sneak peek of Orta San Giulio, check out the magic of this place here!]
The climb towards Miasino is when your knees start billing you for past misdeeds. To distract ourselves, we pause at San Rocco Church and then in front of Villa Nigra, a historic residence that now hosts exhibitions and events—including the Miasino Classic Jazz Festival. Unfortunately, there’s no free buffet, so we move on.
The final stretch winds through forests and trails, featuring a National Geographic moment: three deer suddenly appear as if they were staged for a documentary. After 9 km, we’re back in Ameno, satisfied, amazed, and fully aware that tomorrow’s only planned walk will be from the couch to the fridge.
Post-trek reflections
The Blue Ring is a journey through nature, art, and uphill battles that test your physical and mental endurance. It’s an experience that blends stunning landscapes, fascinating history, and a never-ending search for a bench. A path that invites you to slow down, breathe, and remember that life isn’t just stress and notifications—it’s also trails and frescoed churches waiting to be discovered.
Back to Seme di Faggio
Returning to B&B Seme di Faggio, the promise remains: to repeat the experience, maybe with another trail from Ameno’s Quadrifoglio. If you want to explore these paths (or test your lung capacity), book your stay at Seme di Faggio. The breakfast cake alone is worth the trip.
