A couple of hundred yards from the start of the No. 3 trail is the village of Santa Maria del Monte, where we can visit the famous Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin and the neighbouring Convent of the Romite Ambrosiane Nuns (a secluded order of Ambrosian nuns), which were both built in the fifteenth century. Next to the sanctuary and convent are the Baroffio-Dell’Aglio Museum and the Pogliaghi Museum, which are packed with art, history and archaeological finds, and the Ceppo spring, which is a natural monument.

The village of Orino is set in the green countryside of Valcuvia on the north-west slopes of Mount Campo dei Fiori at 442 metres. With panoramic views, this peaceful village is far from the busy roads along the valley floor, yet is quick and easy to reach from main roads and from neighbouring villages.

The No. 1 trail starts in Prima Cappella, which can be easily found by heading north out of the city centre through Sant’Ambrogio Olona and following the road upwards until you reach a large car park in Piazzale Montanari. From Piazzale Montanari follow Via Guido da Velate uphill until the junction between Via Prima Cappella and Via del Santuario, where we find the first signpost for the trail.