Walking on a Via defined Regia may be intimidating, but we guarantee that, although a bit tiring, it will prove to be an experience to remember.

But why is it called the Via Regia? Although it may seem hard to believe, this road has been very busy in the past. It was the connecting route between the ancient Grand Duchy of Milan (before), the Kingdom of Savoy (after) and the territories of Switzerland and France, passing through the neighbouring Valle d'Aosta.

Valdobbia Pass-a bit of history

For centuries, Walser, merchants, soldiers of the Austrian and French armies and even the plague, crossed the Valdobbia Pass, which serves as the border between two enchanted valleys: the Vogna Valley and the Gressoney Valley. This continuous wandering at 2480 m, which lasted for centuries and was accompanied by difficult weather conditions, made it necessary to build a simple shelter. Canon Nicolao Sottile had a more organised structure erected at his own expense, including a Chapel to comfort body and soul.

The establishment of a Meteorological Observatory in 1871, the first in Piedmont, contributed to the increased importance of this historic building!

Our destination: Ospizio Sottile

We leave from the hamlet of Ca d'Janzo in Val Vogna and, after passing the hamlets of Ca' Piacentino, Ca' Morca and Ca' Verno, we reach S. Antonio.

From here starts the dirty road that, on an easy and leveled route, reaches the hamlet of Peccia (1 hour). At the entrance of the hamlet we encounter an area equipped with wooden tables at the edge of the beautiful artificial lake. We continue along the road, which here becomes a path, and passing the nucleus of Walser houses, we reach the Oratory dedicated to San Grato and the Napoleonic Bridge.

Now, following the route number 201, the climb becomes steep and we understand the origin of the name of the hamlet Montata.

The path gives us pause, moves through a beautiful larch forest and arrives at the Alpe Larecchio area (1 hour). We can choose whether to rest for a while in the Alpe basin and later reach Alpe Pian del Celletto via deflection 201a, or to take the small direct route to Colle Valdobbia/ Ospizio Sottile straight away. The refuge looms on the horizon and it seems as if it will never arrive, but we persevere with determination, stand in front of the refuge and let out a big sigh.

Sweaty goal, but achieved

Welcoming us with open arms is the young manager Simone, who will not let us want for anything!

We take advantage of the warm hospitality, thinking back to the old migrants who found salvation and protection within these walls.

We have reached our goal! Now we can enjoy the beautiful 360-degree view.

Events at the Valdobbia Pass

We mustn't forget that on 1 July, we may attend the characteristic passage of the Monte Rosa Walser Waeg race, offering warm support to the courageous athletes who will run 45 km immersed in the splendour that the mountain offers them.

On 10 th August, we are all invited to the typical lunch and Holy Mass organised by the refuge.

What the path to the Colle and the visit to the Hospice offers is an ineffable experience of pure contemplation and revelation.

... We look forward to many more adventures in the beautiful valley that surrounds us!

L'articolo Summer, we walk the historic route 201! proviene da Alagna.

The Valsesia cycle path to Alagna, coming from Varallo, begins at Dinelli, in Scopa.

We soon realise that this is not the traditional paved city cycle path but a varied dirt track through forests, streams, meadows and hamlets.

We immediately connect with the nature around us and ride the 25 km always following the Sesia river.

At the tunnels shortly after the hamlet of Buzzo, in the locality of Riva Valdobbia, we turn to the orographic left and continue on the same slope for about 4 km.

Here's The Pink!(Mount Rosa)

Pink like the pink jersey cycling we deserve!

Monte Rosa appears to us in all its majesty, it feels like touching it.

As we approach the village, we encounter the sports area of the Severina Centre.

If your energy begins to wane, we recommend a stop with a view at the area's Lo Chalet refreshment point.

If, on the other hand, your energy allows you to continue, cycling past ancient architecture and touching on Cascina Felice, you will soon arrive in Alagna, Im Land.

Welcome to Alagna

“Das iar siged Woulchemmi Im Land za fiasse z’Gourner’s Gletscher”

"be welcome in Alagna at the foot of the Monte Rosa glacier".

This is how the ancient Walser people who founded Alagna in the distant past would welcome you.

While maintaining a strong linguistic and cultural identity, Alagna is moving towards modernity by trying to combine tourist development with the right use of the territory.

Having made this effort, it is well worth the effort to reach the oldest Walser hamlets.

If you covered the entire route with a classic mountain bike, congratulations!

If you used an e-bike, congratulations all the same, but it will be useful to know where you can recharge it:

• - at the Base Camp bike rental
• - along the Walser Street public recharge in front of the Bendotti Food Shop
• -in front of the pastry shop Der Gourner

On two wheels over 1000m

If you have the chance to stay a few days in Alagna, you will find routes for everyone and routes for experts.

You will also be able to use the ski lifts and face an adrenalin-fuelled descent!

L'articolo Bike trekking in the Walser land proviene da Alagna.

Spring itinerary

If you have never seen Valle Vogna, come and visit in late spring, when nature takes over every space-time dimension.

Simply put, you will be catapulted into a magical, unique, colourful dimension amidst blossoming Dandelions and cherry, crocus and bell trees.

The Vogna Valley is an ancient land, a land of passage, of migrants and merchants, but also a lived land. The valley was colonised in the early 14th century by Walser Alemanni settlers from Gressoney.

(it seems that Vogna derives from "Wohna" inhabited valley in Germanic).

The itinerary we wish to undertake is part of the Valsesian Art Paths so named because, in addition to the landscape factor, you will enter the world of Art of the ancient chapels, testifying to the faith and artistic side of the locals.

High hamlets

Leaving the car at the Ca d'Janzo car park, we take the path that climbs up towards the hamlet of Selveglio m 1536 (from Silvelius, forest, perhaps already inhabited in pre-Roman times, or from Servej, a Valsesian dialect word for 'brains', erudite people for the times)

The Carestia family, from Selveglio, originated the branch from which Abbot Antonio Carestia, renowned botanist, was born.

The hamlet was once densely populated, with more than a hundred people living here towards the end of the 17th century.

The little chapel of the Madonna del Carmine welcomes us near the large fountain.

We immediately notice the beautiful sundial.

It was a widespread custom to mark the passing of time based on sunlight and the rising or setting of the sun.

Continuing towards Oro, we find another small chapel built as an ex voto by the inhabitants who escaped the plague of 1630. Three more sundials painted in the 19th century are in full view; the curious soul will be amazed to find the signs of the zodiac represented.

But, we told you, astronomers and botanists lived in Selveglio… alas, little understood by the rest of the population, so much so that they were called 'The fools of Selveglio'.

We arrive in Oro; a fire in 1913 destroyed much of the village, a fate similar to many hamlets with wooden houses.

Dominating the hamlet is a characteristic, and almost unique for the area, 'stadel', an ancient granary raised by wooden columns with mushroom-shaped stones to protect against mice.

The oratory of San Lorenzo, built in 1706 by the heads of families to have a place to receive Communion in the highlands, is beautiful.

The path skirts the mountain and between pastures and terraces reaches other wonderful hamlets:

Ca Vescovo, old houses, we can tell by the wood that has challenged and overcome the weather, withstood the weight of many winters and given shelter to generations

Rabernardo, a rather large hamlet, with three fountains, three bread ovens and a small chapel dedicated to the Madonna della Neve. From historical documents, it appears that there was also a workshop where locks and scacciapensieri (Ribebe) were made.

Many houses are now restored; the private house of the Locca family, dating from 1640, has become the Ethnographic Museum

Cambiaveto, a pretty hamlet located on the edge of a gully, recently restored and showing a building with a three-pitch roof, typical of the Vogna Valley.

Piane, a hamlet made up of two groups of houses protected by a stone parapet that bears the date 1560 engraved on it.

All around are pastures and fields that are still in use.

Yes, the hamlet is permanently inhabited throughout the year; there, the rhythm is still marked by the crowing of the cockerel, the slow snowy days and the first warmth of spring.

It is a journey through time that we would all like to take!

The last stop on this wonderful voyage of discovery in the Frazioni alte is the hamlet of Peccia.

Peccia is the dialectal way of calling the spruce tree typical of the area.

One of the first inhabited hamlets in the valley, it has an important past.

Its inhabitants braved the plague of 1630 and the passage of Napoleon's troops in the early 19th century while the houses endured fires and avalanches.

It is said that even one house was moved whole by the force of the avalanche and deposited with its inhabitants inside.

To the south of the hamlet is the small chapel dedicated to San Nicolao, a saint very dear to the Walser population.

To the north, closing the hamlet in a protective embrace is the oratory of San Grato, a very old building.

Returning towards the valley we find a pretty little lake with emerald-green waters, we stop in admiration and enjoy a nice picnic (if you don't want to use the classic blanket, the municipal administration has set up the area with comfortable wooden tables).

And you, are you coming with us?

L'articolo VOGNA VALLEY LAND OF PASSAGES proviene da Alagna.

"Tell me fisherman you will return"…

Did you read it singing?

A good way to start the day's fishing!

Get your gear ready, it's dawning in Alagna!

What to bring?

High boots, a light fishing rod so you can move more fluidly, a rucksack or wicker basket, bait and a hat to protect you from the sun.

Legs in the water and let the adventure begin

River fishing is dynamic and can really become a good way to discover the area with different eyes because the river will give you glimpses that you will never see from the usual passages. In addition, you will be assured of dinner.

With spring, trout regain vitality and become more voracious in the rich spring water.

Find strategic spots, near puddles or waterfalls, and it will be easier to get results.

Of course, you can also choose No Kill fishing with trout release (only fly fishing and with barbless hooks to avoid lacerations at the mouth).

A trick for a better chance of catching fish? Take advantage of the soft light of early morning or late afternoon to be less detectable by prey (who see us very well especially if we dress in bright colours!).

And bear in mind that fishing is always more profitable on low-pressure days (that's why we always see fishermen wearing pastranos and oilskins).

Fishing in Valsesia has ancient origins and was certainly one of the forms of family sustenance.

It is now regulated by the Valsesia Sport Fishermen's Society, which manages rivers, streams and alpine lakes.

Thanks to this stewardship, species are protected and safeguarded, respecting their life cycles including reproduction.

In Alagna you can be a fisherman for just one day

By purchasing a day permit, you have access to the Tourist Fishing Reserve and can catch up to a maximum of six brown trout (maximum size 22 cm) or rainbow trout (maximum size 20 cm).

Regulations here!

Even if you are not a professional fisherman at heart, you should know that there are various techniques; the most commonly used are:

-fly-fishing, which involves the use of artificial baits that 'imitate' both aquatic and terrestrial insects on which trout feed. It is considered by many to be an art because the line casts the bait (which can be dry for surface fishing, submerged for bottom fishing or streamer by moving the bait in the flow of the current simulating other small fish)

-spinning fishing (from the movement of the lure, spin-rolling) with rotating spoons with good results on predatory fish.

Now you are ready! All you have to do is buy a permit at the resale points and join us!

L'articolo Fishing, how much do I love you?! proviene da Alagna.