Orrido di Sant'Anna: The Gorge near Cannobio

Name: Lakeview Camping Resort Cannobio
Price range: $$

Emerald water, an old stone bridge, and a grotto overlooking the gorge – the coolest spot during a Cannobio summer

Orrido di Sant'Anna (Cannobio/IT)

When it gets really hot on Lake Maggiore in the height of summer, many locals have only one destination in mind: the Orrido di Sant’Anna, the Sant’Anna gorge. Just about three kilometers from the center of Cannobio, the Cannobino River has carved a ravine up to 25 meters deep into the rock. Below, the water is emerald green and crystal clear; above, a small Baroque church and an ancient stone bridge sit enthroned. There is also a grotto where you can enjoy excellent food with a view of the gorge. For us, the Orrido is one of the most beautiful places around Cannobio, and it’s practically on our doorstep.

Orrido di Sant’Anna at a Glance

Location: Traffiume district, at the entrance to the Valle Cannobina, approx. 3 km from the center of Cannobio
From Lakeview: approx. 1 hour 15 minutes on foot, approx. 15 minutes by bike, approx. 5 minutes by car
Highlights: Gorge up to 25 m deep, Ponte dell’Agostana, Sant’Anna Church, swimming spots
Admission: none
Dining: Grotto Sant’Anna with a terrace over the gorge, closed Mondays (as of 2026)
Parking: Limited in summer; alternative parking in Traffiume with a 10-minute walk
Time required: 1 hour to half a day
Suitable for: Families, hikers, photographers, and anyone who finds it too hot at the lake
Combo tip: Cannobio old town, Valle Cannobina, Ponte Ballerino

A Gorge of Emerald Water

Over thousands of years, the Cannobino has worked its way through the gneiss. The result is smooth-polished rock walls, small basins, and deep pools where the water shimmers green, turquoise, or almost black depending on the light. The best view of the gorge is from the old bridge: below you, the river squeezes through the rocks, and beyond that, the water opens up into a small lake. The water is so clear that you’ll even see divers here.

Sant’Anna Church and the Old Bridge

The gorge takes its name from the Sant’Anna church, which stands right on the edge of the cliff. It was built in the 17th century, commissioned by local families who had made their fortune in Rome. Inside, the high altar with twisted black marble columns and paintings from the life of Saint Anne are particularly striking. The choir is formed by a frescoed chapel of the Madonna of Loreto, which is likely older than the church itself.

Next to the church, the Ponte dell’Agostana spans the gorge—a narrow stone bridge that can only be crossed on foot. Many call it the “Roman bridge,” though most sources consider it medieval. A little further along, the modern road bridge crosses the valley. A short path leads down to the water from the terrace in front of the church.

Cooling Off When the Lake Gets Too Warm

In July and August, Lake Maggiore reaches temperatures where a dip in the lake hardly feels refreshing for some. That’s when the Orrido is exactly the right place. The Cannobino comes from the mountains of the Valle Cannobina and remains significantly colder than the lake, even in midsummer. Even the path down to the water is noticeably cooler in the shade of the rocks and trees.

Below the gorge, the river forms a small lake with a pebble beach where many families and locals swim on hot days. The water usually barely gets warmer than 10 to 15 degrees, so the first plunge is a real cold shock. After that, every heatwave feels easier to handle. If you don’t want to swim, you can sit on a warm rock with your feet in the water. Important: The rocks are smooth and slippery, the water is very deep in some places, and the river can swell quickly after thunderstorms in the mountains. Do not jump from rocks or bridges and do not leave children unattended in the water. You can find current values for the lake on our Cannobio water temperature page.

Grotto Sant’Anna: Dining Above the Gorge

A grotto was originally a rock cellar where wine and cheese were kept cool, and later became a simple restaurant in the shade. Grotto Sant’Anna follows this tradition and yet is much more: they have been cooking here since 1988 with a great love for regional cuisine. The panoramic terrace is located directly above the gorge; you sit at granite tables outdoors and hear the river below you. On hot summer evenings, it is pleasantly fresh up here while the air stands still down at the lake.

The cuisine is Italian and Mediterranean, with fresh regional ingredients and a modern touch. The menu (as of 2026) includes, for example, Piedmontese Fassona beef tartare with summer truffles, Ravioli del Plin with butter from the Ossola Valley and sage, potato gnocchi with char and lemon from Cannero, or grilled whitefish from Lake Maggiore. This is accompanied by a fine selection of Italian wines. This isn’t just a quick snack after swimming, but a meal you should take your time to enjoy.

According to its own website, the grotto is open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM and in the evening from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM; it is closed on Mondays (as of 2026). Outside the peak season, it’s best to call ahead. Space on the terrace is limited, so it’s better to reserve in advance in summer at +39 0323 70682. Our tip: swim in the morning, have lunch at the grotto, and then head back to the lake in the shade.

With Children at the Gorge

For children, the Orrido is a little adventure: throwing stones into the water, watching small fish, walking across the old bridge, and looking down into the green depths from above. The path to the water is short but stony; a stroller cannot get down there. With small children, it’s best to stay in the shallow area on the pebble shore and keep them in sight at all times. You can find more ideas on our Lake Maggiore with children page.

Arrival and Parking

By car, you can reach the Orrido from Lakeview in about 5 minutes: in Cannobio, follow the road towards Valle Cannobina and turn right into Via Sant’Anna towards Traffiume. If you continue straight, you will enter the Cannobino Valley. Parking is often not easy in summer. In that case, use a parking lot in the Traffiume district; from there, it’s about a 10-minute walk. By bike, you’ll need about 15 minutes from Lakeview and save yourself the search for a parking space.

On foot, you’ll be on the road for about 1 hour 15 minutes from Lakeview, and the path is already part of the excursion. Right by us, behind house no. 14, the old donkey path begins, which you follow all the way to Cannobio. There, continue on the sidewalk until you reach the Cannobino River and then walk upstream for about 3 to 4 kilometers along the bank to the gorge. The path along the river is easy and partly shaded. If you want to walk more, you can combine it from Cannobio with the circular route over the Ponte Ballerino suspension bridge, totaling about 8 kilometers and about 2 hours of pure walking time.

Good to know

The Orrido is beautiful in every season. In spring, the Cannobino carries a lot of water after the snow melts; in autumn, the chestnut forests around the gorge glow. However, swimming is primarily for the hot weeks in summer. After heavy rain, the water becomes murky and torrential; then it’s better to stay on the bridge and enjoy the view from above. Please take your trash back with you: locals and guests share the small swimming spots, and everyone is happy when they stay clean.

Combining your trip

The Orrido can be easily combined with other destinations. Back in Cannobio, stroll through the Cannobio old town and along the lakeside promenade; on Sundays, the weekly market is worth a visit. If you want to go deeper into the valley, you can discover old stone villages, hiking trails, and more river swimming spots in the Valle Cannobina. And if you prefer water slides to mountain streams, the Acqualand Cannobio at the Lido is the place to be.

Our Conclusion

The Orrido di Sant’Anna is a small trip with a big impact: a short drive, no entrance fee, cool water, and a grotto where you’ll want to linger. Especially in midsummer, the gorge is the best addition to a day at the beach. More information is available on the official tourism portal Il Lago Maggiore.

You can stay with us in a mobile home on Lake Maggiore, in a holiday apartment in Cannobio, or on a pitch on Lake Maggiore.

Insider tips from locals

To make your trip extra special:

Come in the morning on hot days. Then it’s still quiet at the gorge, and the light falls beautifully into the water.
Bring water shoes. The stones on the shore are slippery, and the water is cold enough that you won’t want to hesitate for long.
Reserve a table on the terrace at Grotto Sant’Anna, especially on weekends.
Go on foot once: via the donkey path behind house no. 14 to Cannobio and then along the Cannobino. The Ponte Ballerino suspension bridge is easy to include.