Verbano-Cusio-Ossola: Nature, Trails and Culture

In the heart of the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola lies the Val Grande National Park. Extensive forests and clear waters define the area, which is considered Italy’s largest wilderness area. Day hikes of varying lengths and levels of difficulty offer different ways to explore the landscape on foot. When planning your trip, specific route details can help you estimate how much time to allow for individual hikes.

Hikes and Alpine Landscapes

The Giro della Val Toggia is a moderately difficult high-altitude hike covering 19.5 kilometres. The route is listed as having an elevation gain of 731 metres and a total duration of 5 hours and 50 minutes. This gives you a concrete guide for planning a longer day, while hikes in the Val Grande National Park vary in length and difficulty. Before setting out, check the route conditions and whether it is suitable for the season.

In the Alpe Veglia-Devero Natural Park, alpine terrain spans 86 square kilometres and elevations from 1,600 to 3,500 metres. A route near Alpe Devero leads to the Codelago dam at 1,856 metres and continues to the turquoise Lago Devero in the nature park. The hike therefore has a clearly named destination and a specific elevation. At the same time, the protected area’s landscape spans a broad range of elevations.

Waterfall and Trails in the Formazza Valley

The Cascata del Toce is in the Frua hamlet at an elevation of 1,675 metres. Its waterfall is 143 metres high, making it one of the highest in Europe. You can view it from its base or from a wooden viewing bridge above the rocks. A route in the Formazza Valley is accessible via the international railway station in Domodossola and a bus connection to the Cascata del Toce. Check current timetables when planning your trip.

The fourth stage of the Via del Gries begins in Riale, passes the Morasco dam and the Bettelmatt Plateau, and climbs to the Gries Pass. Another historic road in the municipality of Formazza extends for 10.928 kilometres to the Swiss border and can be travelled on foot or by mountain bike. These routes describe different ways through the landscape: the Via del Gries stage has a named sequence of stops, while the historic road has a specified length and border connection.

The Formazza Valley also has more than 30 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, spread across the San Michele and Riale loops. Snow conditions and trail operations vary by season. This is an important difference to bear in mind for a winter stay: cross-country skiing depends on snow conditions, while the hiking trails are described by their routes and elevation details.

Sacri Monti and Local Culture

Work on the Sacro Monte di Domodossola began in 1656 to depict the Passion and death of Christ with life-size figures. The Sacro Monte Calvario di Domodossola is designated as a special reserve. At the Sacro Monte di Ghiffa, three chapels dedicated to the Coronation, John the Baptist and Abraham form an ensemble with a sanctuary and an 18th-century arcade of the Way of the Cross. An old footpath leads there from Ronco; the walk takes about 40 minutes.

Ghiffa is also home to the Museo dell’Arte del Cappello, housed in the former Panizza hat factory. Documents, pictures, tools and machines tell the story of the factory’s industrial history. A workshop on making simple felt objects adds a hands-on experience with the material to this historical focus.

The Walser heritage of the Formazza Valley can be seen in the houses of its small hamlets, their settlement patterns, preserved traditions, crafts and typical local cuisine. Bettelmatt cheese is also closely connected to its high-altitude setting: it is made in summer exclusively at seven alpine pastures between 1,500 and 2,500 metres in the municipalities of Baceno, Formazza and Premia. The details about location, season and elevation make clear how this regional product differs from a speciality available year-round.

Gardens and Historic Squares

The Giardini Botanici di Villa Taranto cover 16 hectares. Their collection includes 20,000 botanically significant plants, more than 80,000 flowering bulbs and over 15,000 bedding plants. The gardens have been open to the public from April to October since 1952. As opening is seasonal, it is advisable to check visiting options before your trip.

On Isola Bella, the Italian-style Baroque garden combines terraces, statues, obelisks, fountains and views over Lake Maggiore. The palace has more than 20 rooms, including the Sala del Trono, the Sala delle Regine, the Sala di Napoleone and the Galleria Berthier. On Isola Madre is an eight-hectare English garden, the largest of the Borromean Islands. Plants and flowers from far-flung regions of the world grow there.

Piazza Mercato in Domodossola is another place where everyday life meets architectural history. A market is held in the square today, selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, cured meats and cheeses from Montecrestese, Malesco and the Anzasca Valley, as well as honey from the Ossola valleys, Valsesia and the Novara hills. The arcades date from the 15th century, and elegant houses from the 15th and 16th centuries line the square. A visit to the market can thus be combined with a look at the square’s distinctive layout.

Discover More Destinations

Cesara, Artò, Pollino, Madonna Del Sasso, Vignone, Gurro, Ghiffa, Someraro, Stresa, Gravellona Toce, Oggebbio, Baveno, Premeno, Mergozzo, Vogogna, Omegna, Macugnaga, San Domenico, Feriolo Di Baveno, Brovello-Carpugnino, Belgirate, Aurano, Premia, Cavaglio-Spoccia, Beé, San Bernardino Verbano, Casale Corte Cerro, Cambiasca, Bracchio, Scareno, Crodo, Bognanco, Domodossola, Gignese, Villadossola, Valstrona, Baceno, Masera, Ornavasso, Barbè Superiore, Quarna Sopra, Cursolo-Orasso, Formazza, Craveggia, Santa Maria Maggiore, Druogno, Premosello-Chiovenda, Trontano, Piedilago, Pontegrande, Crevoladossola, Malesco, Antrogna, Viganella, Cissano, Passo, Beura, Ceppo Morelli, Alpe Devero, Trasquera, Agrano, Cadarese, Cicogna, Mozzio, Cossogno, Nonio, Pallanza, Antrona Schieranco, Intra, Re, Quarna Sotto, Carmine, Miazzina, Varzo, Trarego Viggiona, Verbania, Arizzano, Cannero Riviera, Cannobio, Traffiume, Fondotoce, Gurrone, Cresseglio

To the regional travel overview: Piedmont.