Discover Cicogna

Cicogna combines hiking trails through forests with historical traces and insights into Val Grande. This offers various ways to choose it as a destination: walking trails, nature observation, and evidence of local history. The landscape and its settlements can be explored through specific routes and sites, without requiring every interest to follow the same path.

Hiking trails and scenery

The Pogallo route from Cicogna follows a paved mule track through deciduous forests of chestnut, ash, and oak. One of its striking landmarks is a bridge high above the mountain stream, crossing it opposite a waterfall. Val Pogallo also has waterfalls and pools where the green forest is reflected. The forest path, bridge, and water create distinct impressions along the route.

Another route description covers the climb to Alpe Prà and Casa dell’Alpino: it leads uphill through large chestnut trees and past the remains of old agricultural terraces. The contrast highlights the different landscapes: the Pogallo route features deciduous forest and the bridge over the mountain stream, while the climb to Alpe Prà features chestnut trees and traces of earlier cultivation.

The educational trail A story of water has ten information panels and twenty numbered trail markers identifying observation points. This makes it possible to observe nature along the trail at designated stops. Another landmark is the abandoned Alpe Leciuri at 1,311 m. From there, the view stretches to distant Pogallo, Cima della Laurasca, Monte Torrione, Zeda, Marona, Colma di Cossogno, and across to Pizzo Pernice.

History and cultural heritage

The Centro Visita di Cicogna houses a free exhibition on the natural, historical, and cultural aspects of Val Grande. The history of the Chiesa della Madonna di Caravaggio can also be traced through key dates: its construction spanned several decades, continuing into the 1720s and 1730s. The church became a parish church in 1768, and the bell tower was added in 1820.

At the entrance to Cicogna, in Al Pozzolo, the communal fountain with its livestock trough retains its original structure, with a wide stone basin and a slate roof. On Alpe Prà there is a cup-marked rock with around thirty cups, some connected by channels. The ruins of a historic alpine pasture are also preserved there. These features reflect different aspects of local history: communal use, rock carving, and earlier alpine farming.

The route from Cossogno to Cicogna follows an old medieval road that connected the two villages. Along the way, it passes Sasso delle croci, a rock bearing simple crosses and the initials of mountain residents. Pogallo was a large farmstead on the transhumance routes to the pastures of the upper valley. Together, these places show how routes and agricultural use are connected to the history of the region.

Getting there and choosing a destination

Cicogna can be reached by car via a very narrow, winding road or on foot along the mule track from Cossogno. Road conditions may change; check them before traveling. The route from Cossogno to Cicogna also offers a tangible connection to the village’s history, following the old medieval road and passing Sasso delle croci.

When looking for a hotel in Cicogna, you can choose the destination according to your travel interests. The Pogallo route from Cicogna and the educational trail A story of water offer different ways to experience the forest, water, and observation points; the church, fountain, and traces on Alpe Prà provide other historical perspectives. This lets you decide whether your trip will focus primarily on trails and scenery or also take in Cicogna’s cultural heritage.

Discover more destinations: Crodo, Brovello-Carpugnino, Premia, Cissano, Gurro, Trasquera, Baveno, Quarna Sopra.

For the broader travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.