Rimella: Walser Culture and Alpine Trails

Rimella combines a rich Walser history with an alpine landscape and trails leading to a range of destinations. Historic houses, a language tradition that has survived to this day, an anthropological museum and mountain pastures give a stay here a variety of cultural and landscape highlights. When planning your trip, you can focus on Walser history, nature or a particular hike.

Walser History, Houses and Museum

Rimella is the oldest documented Walser colony in the Valsesia. It was founded in 1255 by a small group of farmers and shepherds from the Swiss canton of Valais. Walser culture has endured in the area to this day; older residents still speak Tittschu, a language of Germanic origin. Rimella therefore brings its historic settlement and a continuing language tradition together.

The Walser houses also offer specific dates that bring this history to life: Casa Robbo in Sella dates from 1593. In Rimella, a Walser house with its Lobien (covered galleries) still intact is dated 1607. Together, these examples provide a chronological reference point for local building traditions.

The Museo Antropologico G.B. Filippa displays minerals, shells, stuffed animals, books, coins and everyday objects. Giovan Battista Filippa established the museum to introduce his fellow citizens to scientific and cultural aspects of the world. The collection brings together natural specimens and everyday objects, adding a range of themes to the picture of the village’s history.

Mountain Pastures, Nature Park and Trails

In the Rimella area, the Parco Naturale Alta Valsesia e dell'Alta Val Strona covers about 1,000 hectares on the right bank of the Landwasser stream. The area extends from an elevation of 930 metres to the 2,400-metre summit of Capezzone in the S. Anna valley. These elevation figures and the park’s extent give a specific sense of the landscape it encompasses.

Alpe La Res offers another mountain setting: this mountain pasture lies at an elevation of 1,419 metres and includes alpine huts, a fountain and a small church. The pasture, buildings and church together reflect the pastoral character of the surroundings.

The Walserweg Itinerario 4 / Rimella–Carcoforo passes the 18th-century Madonna delle Grazie church, as well as picturesque waterfalls and mountain lakes. At the same time, the route follows trails through historic villages of the ancient Walser civilisation. It thus combines natural scenery with the region’s cultural heritage.

The hike to Bocchetta di Campello starts in Rimella at an elevation of 1,176 metres and reaches the pass at 1,924 metres. The route is listed as taking 2 hours and 30 minutes, with an ascent of 748 metres. It crosses an area with historic mountain pastures and connects Rimella with the former hamlet of Campello Monti. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

There are also trails with their own routes and destinations: an old connecting path leads from Chiesa (Chiljchu) towards San Gottardo (Rund). An old paved path goes as far as the hamlet of Sella. After crossing the river, a trail leads into the Alta Valsesia Nature Park towards Roncaccio Superiore. These descriptions differ in destination and route; no specific walking times are given for these trails.

Traditions and Local Cuisine

Santa Gioconda is the main religious reference point for the community of Rimella. The feast in her honour is celebrated every year in August. Those interested in the village’s religious traditions can also visit the 18th-century Madonna delle Grazie church along the Walserweg.

At Alpe Pianello (Bìdemje), the experience includes a shepherd’s demonstration of how cow’s- or goat’s-milk toma and mascarpa are made. It also includes a visit to the cellar where the cheeses mature. At Alpe Cinenecca (Tschinenakku), visitors can taste fresh milk, cream and toma and talk with shepherds about mountain life and the pastoral way of life. The two experiences offer different highlights: cheese-making and the maturing cellar in one case, tasting and conversation in the other.

Malbumfànnu is also part of the local food culture. This recipe from Rimella combines roasted flour, white flour, eggs, butter, milk and fine salt; toma, sugar or apple can be added optionally. The ingredients distinguish the basic mixture from possible additions.

Discover more destinations: Balmuccia, Desana, Borgosesia, Gattinara, Bianzè, Ferrera, Scopello, Motta Dè Conti

For the broader travel overview: Vercelli.