Parco Nazionale della Val Grande is considered Italy’s largest wilderness area. Extensive forests and clear waters define its landscape. The park stretches across the heart of the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and is also part of the Sesia-Val Grande Geopark. The national park offers day hikes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Hiking is therefore a defining way to experience this landscape, although not all routes follow the same format.
Hikes with a range of destinations
The Giro della Val Toggia is a moderately difficult high-altitude hike covering 19.5 kilometres. The route involves an elevation gain of 731 metres and takes 5 hours and 50 minutes in total. Check route conditions and seasonal suitability before setting out.
Near Alpe Devero, a route leads to the Codelago dam at an altitude of 1,856 metres and to the turquoise waters of Lago Devero in Parco Naturale Alpe Veglia-Devero. The protected area encompasses 86 square kilometres of alpine terrain at elevations of 1,600 to 3,500 metres. The route has a specific destination at the lake; the dam’s elevation places it in the alpine landscape.
For a route in Valle Formazza, the described journey involves travelling via the international railway station in Domodossola and taking a bus to Cascata del Toce. Check current train and bus schedules before your trip. The waterfall is in the hamlet of Frua, at an altitude of 1,675 metres. You can view it from its base or from a wooden viewing bridge above the rocks; local conditions may affect access.
The fourth stage of the Via del Gries also lays out a clear route: it starts in Riale, passes the Morasco dam and the Bettelmatt plateau, then climbs to the Gries Pass. Another historic road in the municipality of Formazza is 10.928 kilometres long, reaches the Swiss border and can be travelled on foot or by mountain bike. Surface conditions and access may vary locally.
Strada Cadorna is a military road belonging to the defence system planned between 1899 and 1918. Its features include trenches, small field hospitals, barracks, open gun emplacements, shelters and bunkers. The various sections can be explored on foot or by mountain bike; local access restrictions may apply to some sections.
Sacred sites and industrial history
Construction of Sacro Monte di Domodossola began in 1656 to depict the Passion and death of Christ through life-size figures. Sacro Monte di Ghiffa comprises three chapels dedicated to the Coronation, John the Baptist and Abraham, as well as a sanctuary and an 18th-century arcade of the Stations of the Cross. From Ronco, it can be reached via an old footpath in about 40 minutes.
The Museo dell'Arte del Cappello in Ghiffa is housed in rooms of the former Panizza hat factory. Documents, pictures, tools and machinery tell the story of its industrial past. The museum also offers a workshop on making simple felt objects. An exhibition at the Centro Visita di Intragna explores mountain life, the landscape and local mountain culture.
The restored Castelli di Cannero now house an immersive museum that tells their story. The Borromeo family’s restoration work lasted ten years and was completed in 2025. Check current visitor arrangements before your visit. Castello Visconteo in Vogogna houses sections on medieval archaeology and other themed exhibitions. It can be reached on foot through the historic town centre and visited inside; check visitor arrangements in advance as well.
Walser heritage and regional products
In Valle Formazza, Walser heritage is reflected in the houses of its small hamlets, settlement patterns, preserved traditions, handicrafts and typical local cuisine. Bettelmatt cheese is also associated with this mountain landscape: it is made in summer exclusively on seven alpine pastures at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 metres, located in the municipalities of Baceno, Formazza and Premia.
A market is held in Piazza Mercato in Domodossola. Products on offer include seasonal fruit and vegetables, cured meats and cheeses from Montecrestese, Malesco and Valle Anzasca. There is also honey from the Ossola valleys, Valsesia and the hills around Novara. The distinctive square features 15th-century arcades and is lined with impressive houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Market life and historic architecture thus share the same square.
Discover more destinations: Trarego Viggiona, Verbania, Arizzano, Cannero Riviera, Cannobio, Traffiume, Fondotoce, Gurrone, Cresseglio, Miazzina, Oggebbio, San Bernardino Verbano, Stresa, Vignone, Gurro, Ghiffa, Someraro, Beé, Varzo, Baveno, Premeno, Mergozzo, Vogogna, Omegna, Macugnaga, San Domenico, Feriolo Di Baveno, Brovello-Carpugnino, Belgirate, Aurano, Premia, Cavaglio-Spoccia, Cesara, Artò, Pollino, Madonna Del Sasso, Gravellona Toce, Casale Corte Cerro, Cambiasca, Bracchio, Scareno, Crodo, Bognanco, Domodossola, Gignese, Villadossola, Valstrona, Baceno, Masera, Ornavasso, Barbè Superiore, Quarna Sopra, Cursolo-Orasso, Formazza, Craveggia, Santa Maria Maggiore, Druogno, Premosello-Chiovenda, Trontano, Piedilago, Pontegrande, Crevoladossola, Malesco, Antrogna, Viganella, Cissano, Passo, Beura, Ceppo Morelli, Alpe Devero, Trasquera, Agrano, Cadarese, Cicogna, Mozzio, Cossogno, Nonio, Pallanza, Antrona Schieranco, Intra, Re, Quarna Sotto, Carmine
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