The Other Mountain: Adventures and Discoveries from the Maritime Alps to the Friulian Dolomites
Upper Ossola Valley. Alpe Devero and Val Formazza: the most authentic part of the Ossola
In the northernmost corner of Piedmont, on the border with Switzerland, the Upper Ossola Valley is home to some of the best-preserved and most authentic landscapes in the entire Alpine range: Alpe Devero, in the Veglia-Devero Nature Park. At an altitude of around 1,600 metres, a vast grassy basin opens up, where cars stop at the entrance and the landscape is punctuated only by larch forests, pastures, stone huts and footpaths. From here, high-altitude hikes of all levels set off, ranging from the easy route to Lago delle Streghe and the hamlet of Crampiolo, to the mountain pastures where Bettelmatt – one of Piedmont’s most iconic cheeses – is produced, and finally the routes to Lago di Devero and the Bocchetta d’Arbola, an ancient trade pass with the Valais. Descending back down to the valley and heading north for about twenty kilometres, you reach Val Formazza, another authentic spot in the Ossola. The spectacular Toce Waterfall, with its 143-metre drop, is the gateway to a valley of Walser origin where hiking, cycling and routes such as the Laghi & Monti Bike trail take you as far as Riale and the border highlands. Those choosing these places for their summer holidays can also stop off at San Domenico di Varzo, a small village overlooking the Veglia-Devero Nature Park and an ideal starting point for excursions to Alpe Ciamporino, Lago della Strega, Rifugio Crosta and the trails of Alpe Veglia.
https://www.san-domenico.com/it
