Trekking with wonderful views over the Monte Rosa
From Frazione Ronco take the path 208 direction Colle Mud. Follow the path few metres and turn in to the path n.209. First you meet the small hamlet called Wittwosma, than a large forest and at the end you are in the wide plain of the Alpe Campo.
Alpe Campo is the balcony on Mont Rosa par excellence. From this mountain pasture you can savour the splendid view of the entire massive that mirrors in a poetic lake near the homes. The impressive Mont Tagliaferro, in competition with Alagna and Rima, dominates the beautiful plateau with its Northern crest, with the open, panoramic trail that leads to the summit of the mountain. The small group of stone houses, leaning onto the spacious flat meadows, are protected by the little chapel dedicated to St.Uberto, patron of the hunters. On 3rd November, feast day of the saint, there is a big party and all the hunting rifles and dogs are blessed. The chapel door is a piece of history. It is in fact the door of the first Capanna Margherita inaugurated in 1893.The curious events of this mountain pasture is closely linked to the goodwill and passion of Gilberto Negri, who since the early 90's has brought back new life to this area, restoring an ancient mountain hut to turn it into a social venue of the CAI branch in Alagna. Today it is a small refuge looked after by Gilberto himself.
An easy but long trail that connects Alagna and Macugnaga
Trail n°7 for the Turlo pass starts from the GTA (Grande Traversata of the Alps ) and the TMR (Tour of Mont Rosa) and is a particularly suggestive historical itinerary. It's a fundamental connection to the Anzasca valley which in the past was a particularly intense location of passage for the commercial exchange of goods and also for the flow of migrants. In the 14th century Walser colonies from Macugnaga founded the first settlements in the territory of Alagna. Testimony of the important role in the economy of the valley's neighbour of this hill is the place name that identifies it: Turlo pass in the Walser language (Ds' turlji) means “ little door”.
The trail was transformed in a mule-track in the 30's by the alpinists allowing the transportation of small artillery to the area. The territory crossed by trail n°7 is found inside the Alta Valsesia Natural Park and is the ideal place to observe the local fauna. In spring it is quite easy to meet herds of Ibex in the pastures which substitute Larch woodlands above 1900 mt and in the pastures of Mittlentail e Faller. In spring the little amphitheatre at the end of the Wasserwiss valley known as Grafenboden or “ noble meadow” is covered by gentianella and high altitude forget-me-nots
A trail along the valley conducting to the hightest peaks of Monte Rosa
The path n. 205 D starts from Bonda Hamlet closed to the Alagna lift and reach Dosso and Piane hamlet and, then, Grande Halte shelter.Then continues to the middle station of Piana Lunga and passing near the big boulder called Devol's stone. The path come out by the Vigevano mountain hut and the hill and in 5 minutes you can reach Col d'Olen. From there following the path n.6 you can descend the valley to Gressoney. Behind the Vigevano hut starts a trail that in 15 minutes leads the Horn of Chamois, m. 3026, considered one of the points of the best view of Monte Rosa.
Along the route after about an hour's walk, you'll arrive at the hamlet Wittine, with its intact Walser mountain huts and further along, Alpe Sewij and ample plains where the refuge, Grande Halte is comfortably set.
Olen Valley is one of the largest and most famous in the Alagna territory, both for the ski lifts and for being the theatre of Alpine history on Mont Rosa in the 19th century. It is a valley of glacial origin with the typical U shape that declines from soft pastures at 2000 m to a more rocky, austere environment as you increase in height. Closer to the hill (Colle) where the vegetation is less dense and the environment appears rather lunar, it is frequently possible to encounter herds of chamois and ibex that practically ignore the presence of man.
Easy trekking for families with children
To reach Alpe Pile and Pastore Mountain hut follow the route n 206 beginning after the Church of Sant Antonio, 4 km after Alagna Natural Park direction.
The path winds along a flat tract by the river, then few metres before the Alpe Stiga it starts a long series of steps, leading up to the Rifugio Pastore. This is located in a large basin with green meadows called Alpe Pile (mt 1575.), where it is possible to enjoy a wonderful view of south face of Monte Rosa.
It's possible to reach the Alpe Pile in about 15 minutes walk, following the path starting from Acqua Bianca square mt.1497 where you can arrive with the Natural Park shuttle.
This is the ideal route for families who want to spend an enjoyable day in contact with nature without hiking up difficult trails with small children. The plains of Alpe Pile is home to refuge “G.Pastore”, that has rooms, a bar, restaurant and bathrooms. Around the refuge are numerous, interesting geological formations and glacial erosion phenomenon like the stacked rocks and the “the Giants' Potholes”. The latter always attracts the children's attention not only because of their shape, but also for the many tadpole-filled ponds on the inside. The spacious meadow opposite the refuge is the ideal place to play, have picnics and to relax. Mont Rosa's impending, majestic wall, provides a backdrop to the splendid plateau on clear days.
A climb on well market path but steep and with many stairs
The path n. 208 stars from San Nicolao hamlet for the first few meters along the right bank of the Mud river, In about 1,30/2 h reachs the Mud houses. The trail then climbs to the refuge Ferioli in approximately 1 h and from there in 15 minutes to the pass. From here a long but very varius descent, leading to different pastures to the village of Rima, in about 1,30/2 h.
The Mud valley, open in the lower valleys of Alagna and Riva, but wedged between the mountains Tagliaferro and Corno Mud, unites Rima San Giuseppe and Alagna . From trail n°8, which at this point overlaps the GTA's (Gran Traversata of the Alps) itinerary and the Great Walser Trail that connects the European colonies , is a steep, rather austere valley, but with a rich history, set between the mountains. The first part of the valley winds between larches and alders. On its path are beautiful stone steps which lead out onto the grassy alpen plateaus of Mud at a height of 1890 m where flocks of sheep graze during late spring while waiting to be moved to higher pastures. Alpe Mud still has beautifully preserved mountain huts built in stone with one side leaning entirely against the mountain and in winter avalanches slide off them without causing any damages. Refuge Ferioli is in the proximity of the Mud pass, with its beautiful terraces stretching towards the valley. Close to it is a poetic little terrace, like an eagle's nest, with views of Mont Rosa.
The Route From Alagna you can reach the hamlet Ronco where its possible to cross the torrent Mud. Trail n.8 leads to Colle Mud passing by the Alps Z'Isahus, lower Mud, Venghi and upper Mud.
Alternative routes and connections From the hill, trail n.96 leads to Rima.
Start point: Ca d’Janzo 1354 m
Drop: 834 m
Trekking time: 3,30 h
Difficulty: mediumWith children: no
Where to eat: Rifugio Valle Vogna
Route number: n° 201/205 (ex 1/5)
By bike: noA long trek for experienced hikers
Leaving your car at the hamlet San Antonio, follow the path up to Ponte Napoleonico (1 hour). Continue the trail and cross another bridge over the river Maccagno. Follow trail no. 5 along the valley that leads to your destination in about 2 hours. From here in 45 minutes you can reach the Passo del Maccagno, a connection with the Gressoney valley, the Valley Sorba of Rassa.
This popular and historic mountain pasture at 2188 m. spreads over a grassy plain refined by two surrounding lakes, making it one of the most enjoyable destinations in the Valley Vogna. Here a fountain provides fresh water at a constant temperature of 3 ° C. The name Maccagno is closely linked to the production of a delicious cheese that bears the same name.
A trail in the wonderful nature of Carestia Abbot valley
The Rissuolo valley and the tour to refuge Carestia is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful climbs in the upper Sesia Valley. The trail runs along the wild Vogna Valley, where the river of the same name has carved a deep sinuous groove over the centuries, and is wedged between the rocks forming vertiginous canyons and open poetic spaces surrounded by intact Walser hamlets.
An antique atmosphere surrounds everything, and the past resurfaces with discretion and mingles with the present rural economy made up of cultivated fields and small farms .
With a comfortable start, the path rises steeply but its well marked up to Alpe Pile, where there is a refuge. It is a balcony over the valley, where the view stretches out from refuge Sottile till Alpe Maccagno, to Riva with a spectacular view of the tortuous unraveling basin of theVogna river .
A night at Carestia is a must: to enjoy the view at sunset, anxiously waiting for the dawn, to treat yourself the next day with the chance to climb up to the White and Black lakes, and the wonderful Corno Bianca, a popular destination over the past two centuries.
Lake Bianco is a poetic alpine lake surrounded by mossy meadows and towering peaks, where mind and heart find space for a childlike serenity. But the real surprise is the Black lake: huge and enclosed between overhanging rocks and opens unexpectedly and surprising like a Norwegian fjord; dark perhaps, but so wild and majestic, with none to equal it in the Sesia Valley and well worth the visit.
The ascent to Corno Bianco in the silence of a rarefied moraine environment leads to the spectacle of Monte Rosa, the Valley of Otro and Alagna, along a path that blends the charm of the ancient glories of the past and the anxiety of climbing a famous peak.
The Vogna valley and its banks, the Corno Bianco, the small valleys that bloom in its folds propose a different show, unknown to Valsesian trail hikers cannot be missed among destinations for those who are curious about this corner of the earth.
The right walk with the family, partly steep, but well-marked and with a wonderful goal!
From Alagna reach Riva Valdobbia and than drive to Cà di Janzo, pass Ca’ Piacentino, Ca’ Morca and Ca’ Verno and reach S.Antonio. Here starts the path to frazione Peccia (1 hour) first, Alpe Montata than and at the end your goal: (1 hour). From Alpe Larecchio in 1 hour 30 minutes you can reach the Ospizio Sottile on the border between Vogna and Aosta Valleys (m 2480)
Alpe Larecchio (trail no. 1) is a beautiful plateau crossed by a meandering stream that flows into a little lake surrounded by sparse larch trees. It is reached by going up Valley Vogna along the dirt road that leads from Sant’ Antonio to Piane and then continuing in the direction of Ospizio Sottile. Dominated by Corno Bianco in the north, the pasture is populated by scattered Walser huts, some of which are famous and excellent rural tourisms today. It can be reached in about 1:45 minutes, but the climb, partly challenging in the second half, is worth the effort for the harmony and softness of the landscape.
Continuing in the direction of the Valdobbia pass in about an hour you can reach the Ospizio Sottile,
Colle di Valdobbia has, for centuries, been a crossing place for people from Valsesia to Gressoney, Swizerland and France.
In the 16th century people returning from Valsesia built a small hut to guarantee a safe return and future resting point.
Later, in 1823, this small hut was built into todays Ospizio Sottile refuge by Nicolao Sottile, a priest.
The building has since been fully refurbished with the support of local associations, Riva Valdobbia village and Alpine troops from Valsesia and the Piemont region.
Easy path leading in the hert of the Vogna valley
From Alagna reach by car Riva Valdobbia and than Cà di Janzo. Enter the small group of houses and find the path n. 10 and reach Selveglio (30 min). Follows the path passing trough the hamlets of Oro, Cà Vescovo and Rabernardo. Avoid the path descending to S. Antonio, go up to Cambiaveto hamlet and continue to Peccia (45 min). Back to Cà di Janzo following the dirt road for Sant’Antonio, Cà Verno, Cà Morca, Cà Piacentino. (45 min).
Vogna valley, a fluvial valley, particularly wild, narrow and wedged between the mountains is crossed by the ancient road that has connected Riva Valdobbia with Gressoney and France for centuries, and transit point for many emigrants who for centuries have crossed Colle Valdobbia in search of fortune. A friendly territory with a wild nature, where the inhabitants harmoniously blend in with the natural elements. The valley is scattered with splendid villages and their characteristic Walser architecture and many little oratories of considerable, historic-cultural importance. The oratory of San Grato of Peccia is quite significant, because of the list of signatures of Napoleonic soldiers who passed through the valley. The first documents relating to urban settlement in Valle Vogna dates back to 1325, specifically to Peccia, the first colonized nucleus coming from Verdobi (Gressoney Saint Jean), locality from where the colonization of Vogna valley started.
During the following decades the built-up areas increased with the addition of Walser colonies from Valle Anzasca (Macugnaga), who were the first inhabitants of Alagna. The gentle almost level start of this route until the hamlet of Peccia, makes way for a rather demanding ascent after the bridge called Napoleon. It was built by Napoleon's soldiers commanded by General Lecchi (an army of 2561 men), passing through the valley in May 1800. The demanding, but easy ascent, leads to the plains of Alpe Larecchio. In the past this plain was a large glacial lake and today it is a poetic mirror of water surrounded by meadows and larch woodlands. A little further is a small farm resort with the same name, the feather in the cap of welcome in Valle Vogna.
The Route From Riva Valdobbia at the entrance of the town, following the road that rises to the right in front of the cemetery, you will reach the hamlet Cà di Janzo (1354 m),which is also the entrance to Val Vogna. Here you have to leave your car, because you need a permit from the municipality to continue driving further than this point. You will reach the locality of S.Antonio (1381 m) with its beautiful church and the GTA trail signs. From here the dirt road that runs alongside the torrent Vogna, marked by trail n°1 starts, that covers Val Vogna.
The trek connecting valleys of Otro and Olen
From the Church in Piazza degli Alberghi, take the first, steep carriage road on the left, up to the village of Piane. That is the start of the path marked by the trail sign no. 205.
Passing trough a wonderful broad-leaved forest, you reach the beautiful village of Wittine firsi and under the open sky the Alpe Seiwji. Walking along path no. 205, it takes approx. 20 min to get to Pianalunga, the arrival of the cable way from Alagna; follows the path in Col d'Olen directon. When the road start to be quite steep, pay attenation to the crossroads and take path 205b to get to Passo Foric. After a well-deserved break in an enchanting environment, the descent finally begins along path no. 203b leading to Otro. The very first village you run into is the mountain pasture of Pianmisura, then Frazione Weng, whose house roofs can be seen just below the path; Scarpia, Dorf and Follu. Now close to the returning path, from Follu you can enjoy the view of Ciucche and Feglierec; another 1-hour walk will take you back to Alagna.
The Foric Pass at 2,432 m, gets its name from the stream that descends towards the Pianmisura Alps ( Small and Large ). From here you can enjoy a splendid view over Val d'Olen, the massif of Monte Rosa and a section of the Valle d' Otro. Not far away, about 15 min, there is a plateau with Alpe Zube at 2515m. Continuing to hike just a little higher, you reach the Zube Pass at 2874 m, which takes you to the Gressoney valley and offers a majestic view of the Alps of Valle d'Aosta .
Beautiful trekking beacuse of the destination, the view and the flora!
The path for the Tailli lakes (3,5 h) follows the tril to Otro Valley in the first part. After 30 minutes walk, arrived at a clear fork in the path near a beautiful stone fountain, take the path that leads to Alpe Gender. At the first Houses of Gender, the trail becomes steep and sometimes exposed and salt to the hut Alpe Tailli, beyond which it becomes more easy and takes about 40 minutes to the lakes.
The large vast glacial lakes of Tailli at 2755 m is one of the most mystical places of the Val d'Otro. Well beyond the limit of vegetation, it is a succession of meadows and rocks, small ravines and soft valleys that surround two high altitude lakes often iced over which reflect the surrounding peaks. Buttercups, gentianellas, anemones and saltwort grow as far as the eye can see between the sparse grasses and mosses where it is not unusual to see ibex and chamois.
The climb to the Tailli lakes (3.5 hours) follows the initial part of trail no.3. Hiking for about half an hour, after a clear fork in the path near a clearing with benches enclosed by a wooden railing, you take trail no.3 towards Gender. At the height of the first house in Gender the trail becomes steeper and at times exposed and then climbs up to the refuge Alpe Tailli, beyond which it becomes easier and takes around 40 minutes to reach the lakes.
The outpost for the climb to the Corno Bianco
From Alagna follow the path to Otro and reach alpe Pian Misura (2 h) After the last houses of the small hamlet on your left side you follow direction Kultiri, a small pasture with only one house at m 2113. Few metres before the house you see, well marked, the detour for Granus and Bivacco Ravelli. In 45 minuti you reach the 2250 m of a glacial basin where path n 203D-3D goes to Granus m 2338 and Passo della Coppa m 2916 and path 203 goes to Terrafrancia lake and the Ravelli bivuac m 2504 (h 2-3.30).
From the bivouac pass the Alta Via Tullio Vidoni, path for hikers, that gives way to surround the Corno Bianco in three stages.
The Ravelli Bivouac was built on the initiative of the CAI section of Varallo , in the area called Laghetto Terrafrancia in Val d'Otro in 1964 to commemorate the figure of Don Luigi Ravelli. He was a priest, mountaineer, author of a well-known guide and Alpine historian of the Sesia Valley . Earlier the same section of CAI had already expressed the desire to build a foothold in Val d' Otro for easier access to the summit of Corno Bianco .
The Ravelli bivouac (unguarded and open all year) has 12 bunks with mattresses and blankets, gas stove , pots and a first aid cabinet. There is no wood nearby and the water is from the nearby pond.
The bivouac can be reached in about 4 hours from Alagna (trail no.3) passing through the hamlets of Otro and across the pasture Alpe Pianmisura. It is the resting point before the ascent to Corno Bianco ( 3320m ) taking the eastern ridge trail, across the Tailli hill (2719m ) and the Pioda pass towards the north ridge, then across the pass “Uomo Storto” (3014m ) and the Bocchetta of Netscio ( 3280m) and towards Punta Strailing (3115m) .
Hike at several levels: undemanding for those who want to reach the hamlet Follu, much longer for those who want to visit all the villages
From Regina Margherita square follow the via dei Walser and reach the theatre Unione Alagnese, go up the stairway that from the arcade of the theatre and continue on the paved path direction frazione Reale. After crossing the road to Fum Decco, mines (50 min) you see the beginning of the path for the Otro valley. The steps: Manganese (50 min), Frazione Follu (20 min), frazione Dorf (10 min, frazione Scarpia (10 min) frazione Pianmisura (30 min). From Pianmisura start the paths to Zube pass (2874)- 2 h, Ravelli bivouac(2504) - 1.30 h, Foric pass (2432) connecting to Olen valley -2 h.
Otro valley with its centuries-old history, intact nature and its hamlets, the unchanged testimony of the Walser habitants. These are not museum locations, but lived-in ones still alive today, where the grassy patches have returned to its former glory as vegetable gardens with its cultivation par excellence. The unchanged preserved Walser architecture aims to exhibit a past in which you can still smell the immortalized traces in the continuity of an oasis that succeeded in surpassing time. This easy trail is adapted to all and offers the possibility to contemplate one of the most poetic and naif landscapes in the whole of Valsesia.
Mention of Alpe Otro dates back to the year 1025 on Starting point: Alagna 1205 m Arrival point: Alpe Pianmisura 1782 m Difference in height: 577 m Difficulty: easy Hiking Time: about 2 hours Season: ideal route for all seasons
The trail accompanies the splendid donation and transfer documents, but the birth of the hamlets, work of the Walser coming from Gressoney, dates back to the XIV century. Today you can visit 5 small villages: Follu, Scarpia, Weng, Felljerc and Dorf, with their monolithic fountains, ovens, cowsheds, Walser homes and chapels. All elements of a self-sufficient economy that has succeeded to maintain itself through time and continuously renewing its usage. Today Otro is a holiday resort, a place where natural agriculture, sheep farming and the hunting of elements that grow and coexist in harmonious fusion is practiced. The church dedicated to the Madonna of the Snow in the hamlet Follu is particularly interesting, as is the snow fences in Scarpia that have protected the homes from heavy snowfalls and also the restored fields of Weng that mark the rhythm of the seasons.
TREKKING Until the Middle Ages the valley was known for its vast grazing land found at higher altitudes with many pastures like: Alpe Pianmisura small and large situated on the border of tall tree vegetation, Alpe Dsender amidst larch and beech woodlands, Alpe Tailli which overlooks the valley, Alpe Kultiri, Alpe Granus and Alpe Zube which rests on a carpet of grasses and mosses. The highest peak of the valley is the Corno Bianco (3320m) that has two small glaciers on its slopes: the snowfield of Puio and the Otro glacier.
