Premosello-Chiovenda: Hiking and Heritage

Premosello-Chiovenda offers two clear focuses for planning a stay: trails through nature and landscape, and churches, traditions, and crafts. When looking for a hotel, you can plan your time around whether hiking, local history, or both will be the main focus. The trails differ in their themes and stated durations; the cultural sites add specific architectural and everyday history to your stay.

Hiking trails through nature and geology

The Bosco Tenso Nature Reserve was established on municipal land in 1990. The “Itinerario Bosco Tenso” trail connects the WWF Nature Reserve in Premosello-Chiovenda with the medieval town of Vogogna. It begins next to the municipal sports field. The natural area and the historic town lie along the same route, offering a distinct focus for anyone wishing to combine their stay with a hike.

“Vivere in salita” starts in Premosello-Chiovenda and ends in Colloro. The easy hike follows a mule track or a well-marked trail. Twelve information boards describe moments in the life of a mountain community. The stated times are about 50 minutes for the outward journey and about 30 minutes for the return; breaks are not included. So, when planning your time, count the two sections separately and allow extra time for breaks.

The Sentiero Geologico takes about one hour without breaks. Between Vogogna and Premosello-Chiovenda, it offers the opportunity to cross the continental crust, so to speak, and observe rocks formed at different depths. This gives it a different theme from “Vivere in salita,” whose information boards focus on the life of a mountain community. The stated times can also be compared: about one hour for the Sentiero Geologico and around 80 minutes for the outward and return journey on “Vivere in salita,” in both cases without breaks.

Premosello-Chiovenda is also accessible by train from Milan and Novara. As timetables can change, check current connections before travelling.

Churches and architectural history

The Parish Church of Maria Vergine Assunta, in its present form, dates from the late 16th century or the first decades of the 17th century. Its furnishings include Baroque woodwork: confessionals, a pulpit, and a sacristy cupboard. Beside the church stands the former ossuary, built in 1780. Together, the church’s construction dates, woodwork, and former ossuary offer different points of reference for exploring local architectural history.

The dates associated with the Parish Church of San Martino vescovo span a longer period: the old sacristy dates from around 1200, while the new church building was completed in 1629. The Church of San Martino in Cuzzago also houses statues from the “Compianti mutili,” attributed to Giovanni Angelo Del Maino. These details lead from a specific architectural feature through building history to an example of sacred art.

Traditions and crafts in Colloro

In Colloro, San Gottardo is celebrated every year on 4 May with a Mass and a procession through the village. The Antico Torchio di Colloro dates from the second half of the 17th century. There, grape pomace, walnuts, and rye were processed into wine, lamp fuel, and flour. The festival tradition and the press’s former use tell different stories of religious and practical village life.

On 13 May 2026, the Municipality of Premosello-Chiovenda initiated a process to manage Casa Museo Cà Vegia in Colloro, with the aim of ensuring it remains open to the public. If you are planning a visit, check its current accessibility in advance.

Discover more destinations: Cadarese, Crevoladossola, Cannero Riviera, Cossogno, Craveggia, Barbè Superiore, Alpe Devero, Cissano

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