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National park Val Grande - sheer wilderness
EASY TOURS
VG1) Pian Cavallone - great views overlooking the Lake Maggiore
1 day
April-November
One day on the hills above the blue lake. We walk on well-kept tracks through forests of birchs and firs and ascend a simple peak which offers overwhelming views up to Milan and the Apennines.
Then, on the way downhill, we pass a small hut where we can rest a while and drink some coffee.
There is also the possibility to book this tour for two days. In this case we stay for the night in the cozy hut of Curgei. At night we stroll on a hill nearby to enjoy the lights of Milan, the airport and the coast of the lake. Unique!
Start at Miazzina (Verbania). Also suitable for children.
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VG2) Bondolo
2 days
June-October
From the northern end of the park, Malesco, we walk through one of the most amazing valleys, the Valle Loana. At the end of this valley we will reach an almost unknown pass and descend through a steep channel. There we will find a small hut surrounded by a fascinating alpine landscape.
On the next day we follow a picturesque valley and pass numerous pastures still in action. Now we can decide: Malesco is only one hour away - or we climb on the near La Cima to admire the great views overlooking the Valle Vigezzo.
Start at Malesco.
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MODERATELY DIFFICULT TOURS
VG3) Piz Proman - pulpit in the sky
2 days
June-November
This is the trip to a summit with one of the most famous panoramas of the region. On top, we will have a view to nearly everywhere: Lake Maggiore, Milan, the mountains of Ticino up to Adamello and Ortles, and the mountains of Valais like Monte Rosa, Alallin, Dom, Weissmies - all over 4000 meters in height.
We start in the valley of Ossola and climb 2000 meters. On our way, we will pass an historical church and some pastures. After 1500 meters, we reach our lodging, a small hut located on on a pass, which is also the border of the national park.
While I am preparing our dinner, you can enjoy the marvelous views and the incredible sunset.
On the second day we have to get up early so that we do not miss the sunrise - it will be worth it! Then, after a small breakfast, we start to win the peak!
An old military path leads on the northern side of the ridge through wild sceneries and finally on the highest point.
On our way back to the valley we pass again the hut and enjoy a second breakfast with lots of coffee and tea! Then, we return to our starting point on the same track we used to go uphill.
Start at Premosello-Chiovenda.
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VG4) Crossing the west
3 days
May-November
Also for this route we start down dale at Premosello and climb up to the nice hut od Colma, where you can enjoy the fantastic views including Monte Rosa and the marvelous sunset.
On the second day we enter the national park and walk through the tremendous wild area of Val Grande, during which we pass fascinating valleys, torrents, abandoned pastures and dense forests. After a while, we have the opportunity to take a rest at a little house. Nearby we will find a wonderful pond with fresh water which shines blue, green and turquoise.
Then we cross to the next valley and ascend on the central ridge of the park, where we will find our next bivouac, Alpe Mottac. Incredible views overlooking the Lake Maggiore, nearly the whole gorge of Val Grande and nearly the whole western part of the national parks! And what a sunset!
Later on, we enjoy the coziness of the warm oven, on which I will prepare our dinner.
The third day will begin with a long walk on the narrow ridge, which leads us to the northern border of the park. Be prepared for very old, hardly discernible pathes, on which sometimes we also have to use our hands.
Last but not least, we descend to the picturesque village of Trontano. From there we will be brought back to our starting point by train (tickets inclusive).
Start at Premosello-Chiovenda.
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VG5) Crossing the north
4 days
May-November
My recommendation! This is probably the best and most varied tour of the national park. We visit comfortable huts as well as spartan shelters, well kept tracks as well as narrow paths, dense forests as well as rocky summits with unforgettable views.
On ouf first day we walk through tremendous beech forests, pass the picturesque mountain village Finero and enjoy the long and silent valley of Prebusa. At the end of this valley we will find a nice little hut with open fire and wooden bedroom, where we will stay for the first night. Enjoy the candle light dinner - I will serve spaghetti boiled over the fire.
The following second day is the most spectacular one for sure! After a steep ascent we enter the heart of the national park - from there on, there will be only silence... At first, we climb on an extraordinary summit - an absolute highlight! Views overlooking the Lake Maggiore and the whole eastern part of the park are not the only thing... also the majestic Monte Rosa is greeting us from afar!
Then let´s say hello to the wilderness! In midsummer, a turquoise pond invites us to have a bath. Afterwards, a narrow path leads us down the valley till we reach the central river. Then, after we have passed a shaky suspension bridge, we reach our next camp, the installation of In la Piana.
Look forward to have a nourishing dinner in front of the warm wood-burning stove!
On the next day the tracks are considerable worse than on the day before - a terrific challenge for everyone who is looking for complete wilderness!
We climb up to a nice hut which offers marvelous views overlooking nearly the whole park, including the gorge and the Lake Maggiore. Then we walk on on a narrow ridge till we reach the western border of the area.
After we have passed a last summit high above the valley of Ossola we descend to one of the most terrific huts: Pozzolo. Seems to be the house of Heidi...
On the last day we follow a path which keeps its height till we have reached the northernmost ridge of the area. Finally, we descend to Trontano, where we board a regional train to get back to our starting point.
Start at Malesco.
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DIFFICULT TOURS
VG6) The classical crossing
2 days
May-November
Usually this route has not to be classified as difficult. But to do the distance within two days is not the easiest thing! If you are not so trained, we can make it also within three or even four days. Then this tour may be classified as "moderately difficult".
We start our hike at Premosello, from where we climb no less than 1500 meters up to the southern entrance to the park. On the pass we have the chance to rest a while at a nice little hut.
Next we enter the national park and walk through the tremendous wild area of Val Grande, during which we pass fascinating valleys, torrents, abandoned pastures and dense forests. After a while, we have the opportunity to take a rest at a little house. Nearby we will find a wonderful pond with fresh water which shines blue, green and turquoise.
Shortly before the end of the day we have to cross into the next valley, where we will find our shelter for the night, In la Piana.
Just relax and enjoy the nourishing dinner in front of the warm wood-burning stove!
On the second day we enter the wild and narrow gorge of the upper Val Grande. A hardly descernible path leads us through dense beech forests and over roaring torrents.
After another break at a hut in complete solitariness we leave the national park and descend into the Val Vigezzo, another impressive part of this region.
We pass some pastures still ran and a newly renovated chapel. At the end of our trip, a regional train will bring us back to our starting point.
Start at Premosello-Chiovenda.
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VG7) Strette del Casè
2 days
June-October
Famous hike on a narrow ridge in the eastern part of the national park. Only for those who do have a very good head for heights! Rewarding for the exertion: unforgettable views...
We start early in the morning on an easy, but nevertheless fascinating path which leads through the deep gorge of Pogallo. After a while the valley becomes more open, but the track keeps small and wild. We have to cross some torrents and finally reach the tiny hut of Pian di Boit, where we can rest for a while.
After the break the steepness begins. First we have to cross a dense beech forest, then for the first time we can enjoy the beautiful views on Monte Zeda and Val Pogallo.
We will have reached the famous path "Sentiero Bovè" a few steps later. From now on, the track keeps staying on the ridge - sometimes it is necessary to use our hands. The most dangerous parts are defused by chains.
Soon we will arrive at the next highlight, the top of Monte Marsicce. This will be the highest point of our exhausting day, the rest is an easy-to-do walk downhill to our little shelter for the night, a rustic hut with open fire.
The next day starts with easy tracks, too. But the views are nevertheless great! We cross a slope below the main ridge and climb again on a marvelous peak.
Then everything will change. The marked path ends at the famous hut of Bocchetta di Campo, the oldest bivouac of the national park, and we have to follow a very narrow track through breathtaking landscapes of steep rocks and boulders. Don´t do this without a guide!
After many curves through walls and steep slopes we leave the course and head to the gentle ridge of Belmello.
The rest will be without any problems. Let´s enjoy the fantastic view overlooking the Lake Maggiore and stroll downhill to our starting point again.
Start at Cicogna.
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VG8) In the middle of the wilderness
4 days
June-November
From the scenic valley of Vigezzo we walk on well kept pathes through thin forests and follow some beautiful torrents. After a while, we ascend to the border of the national park from where the tracks will be noticeable more narrow. There, in the midst of the silence and solitariness of Val Grande, we will find our first shelter. With a little luck we will meet an hermit living in the park...
On our second day - without any doubt the most exhausting but also the most exciting day of our trip - we leave the official trail and proceed into the unspoiled nature. The path leading through Val Biordo has been given up decades ago, so don´t do this without a guide! At some places, we have to use our hands and maybe search the right track.
After we have walked some hours through deep gorges and steep slopes we will reach the ridge which leads to the highest peak of the national park. On this dizzy ridge we climb up to the peak and enjoy an extraordinary view overlooking nearly the whole park, the Ossola valley with the giant peaks of Valais in the background and up to the plains of Milan.
The descent down to the extensive pass of Basagrana will not be much easier than the ascent on the other side. But all in all we will reach the plain without serious problems. The rest of the day will be an easy walk on marked tracks. We pass the third highest peak, Testa di Menta, in the east and, in the end, reach our next mountain hut.
Bivacco Ragozzale offers everything a nature lover will ever search! Except for water... But I know the hidden sources and nothing will prevent us from having a great evening in this eyrie.
Our third day leads us to the center of the park. A long ridge, sometimes a bit difficult, sticks out into Val Grande and ends in the middle of nowhere. There, another eyrie is waiting for us and again offers unforgettable views.
On the next few hours we descend into the main valley of the area, the "real" Val Grande. There we can rest at the hut of In la Piana and enjoy again the silence of the enormous, dark beech forest.
We pass to Val Gabbio and go on to our next destination, a small and very spartan shelter. Usually we have to gather some firewood and tank up our water supplies at the near torrent. The particularly thing: there is no chimney in the hut, the smoke of the fire will clear from the day room through the holey roof made of stone.
After this special experience we continue on our fourth day on a narrow track which leads through the Val Gabbio until we reach the southern border of the national park. This path has been redently renovated and therefor will not be problematic.
We finish our impressive hike with the long descent into the Ossola valley to Premosello. There, we board a train which will bring us back to Malesco.
Start at Malesco.
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VG9) The complete national park
4 days
June-November
This is the ultimate challenge for everyone who has got the skills to survive the bleak wilderness of Val Grande!
We will visit the dreaded central gorge with its little shelter, the dizzy and narrow path of Strette del Casè, the oldest bivouac of the area (Bocchetta del Campo), Val Gabbio, the dilapidated tracks of Valle Ragozzale with its cozy hut and the highest peak of the park (Monte Togano).
A trip full of highlights - and many surprises! A once in a lifetime experience!
Start at Mergozzo.
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