The village of Velate is a very old hamlet, or castlery, that was part of the city of Varese. Velate is in a quiet, peaceful setting far from the busy streets of the city centre and other main roads. The oldest part in the centre of the village features old houses dating back to the fifteenth century, impressive residential villas and a mediaeval parish church dedicated to St. Stephen. Velate is probably best known for its famous tower which was built at the beginning of the millennium and is set back from the village.

Rasa is a hamlet on the edge of the city of Varese and can be easily found by following the SP 62 (provincial road) to Brinzio. The heart of this quiet, picturesque village on the western slopes of Mount Chiusarella is very old with the ancient Church of San Gottardo and the parish church of Santa Maria degli Angeli that are well worth a visit, as is the “Stagno della Tagliata”, a pond recognised locally as a natural monument.

The No. 7 trail starts at the former funicular railway station. To reach the station first pass the barrier on the internal lane that leads to the forecourt of the Grand Hotel.. Together with the former Panoramico restaurant, the station is part of a group of Art Nouveau buildings that made up the Campo dei Fiori Grand Hotel complex. Nearby, in the park opposite the Grand Hotel, we find the Marelli Grotto, a karstic cave that is one of the most significant of the many found on Mount Campo dei Fiori.