The Alps are not just peaks and glaciers: they are keepers of stories. Tales written by the wind, the snow, and the slow steps of those who have crossed them with respect. Every photograph can become a chapter in that story—whether it’s the outline of a ridge floating in the clouds or the frost-covered detail of a Walser mountain hut.

Mountain photography storytelling asks something more of you. It’s not just about finding perfect light—it’s about capturing the meaning behind every shadow. Behind every breath held at dawn, when Monte Rosa begins to glow under the colours of the sunrise.

It doesn’t matter if you're using a professional camera or a smartphone. In that moment, your tool becomes a pen. And the Alps, your story.

Composing a Story: Tips for Photographing Monte Rosa

Choose your subject with your heart first, and your mind after

Don’t just shoot the summits. Look for the details that speak.
A worn rope on a mountain hut. Moss wrapping around a rock. The tired (but joyful) smile of a mountaineer at sunset. These are the elements that bring your story to life—because they’re the ones that truly move you.

Live the moment before capturing it.
The strongest photographs are born after listening to the silence of the mountain.

On Monte Rosa, you might capture the faint track of a guide crossing the Lys Glacier, or the smoke rising from the chimney of Capanna Margherita. Each subject is a doorway into a story.

Use composition to evoke emotion

The rule of thirds, guiding lines, the contrast between snow and rock… Composition isn’t just a technical tool—it’s emotional.

• Frame a ridge rising into the sky to express freedom.
• Show a tiny hut dwarfed by a massive glacier to suggest humility.
• Capture a distant human figure to reveal the vastness of the mountain compared to us.

Capture Alpine culture

The Alps are also the people who live there.
Photographing a Walser stone roof, a hiking pole resting on a wooden door, or a warm window glowing at dusk means giving voice to the living culture of the mountains.

These shots aren’t just beautiful—they’re a heartfelt tribute to the mountains and their people.

Why Tell the Story of the Alps through Photography?

Because it’s a way to take a piece of the mountain home without ever touching it.
Each shot is a dialogue, an invitation to slow down, to gather emotions: the effort of the climb, the wonder of the view, the quiet moment shared with a guide who knows every ridge.

On Monte Rosa, these stories become real.

📍 Capanna Margherita, at 4,556 metres, is more than just a hut: it’s light, ice, and history.
📍 The valleys of Alagna, with their Walser heritage, add depth and soul to every image.

To photograph here is an act of respect. A way of saying to the mountains:
“I saw you. I lived you. I’ll carry you with me.”

If you’re passionate about mountain photography storytelling, these experiences are the beginning of images that truly speak.

Live Your Story on Monte Rosa

🎒 Want to learn how to turn your photos into stories that speak?

Join our “Photography and Mountaineering at Capanna Margherita” experience.
Three days of light, silence, and glaciers, alongside expert UIAGM mountain guides.
You’ll see Monte Rosa with fresh eyes—photographing the sunrise from Punta Gnifetti, listening to the glaciers breathe, and telling the mountain’s story through your own.

👉 Book your experience now
👉 Discover our 6 tips for mountain photography storytelling and start turning every climb into a story today.

L'articolo Mountain Photography Storytelling: Capturing the Alps Through the Lens proviene da Alagna.

The house where we sleep tastes of fire wood! And of hay and grain and, come to think of it, it also tastes of polenta and salami.

It may be suggestive, but the houses in Alagna taste like ‘ad Brusc’,dialect word to define the whole set of aromas and scents linked to the use of the house as a kitchen, stable, workshop.

In any case, the senses are awakened and so is the desire to be part of that lived-in fabric.

Today I want to ski!

Winter, however long it may be, is always too short for those who love the white dress and the crunch of winter snow under their skis.

As a connoisseur of the village, I cast a quick glance at the forecourts; if the colour of the cars covers the view of the Sesia river, I change my plans and prepare for a walk.

Instead, this morning it seems quiet; I drink coffee from the smiling Erika at the cable car departure point, pick up the skis that Franz and Mattias have carefully prepared for me and embark, ready for adventure and the adrenaline-filled descent.

At the boarding gate I meet Alfredo, the lift historian. He smiles at me and accompanies me all the way to the point where the doors of the lift close, thus updating me on conditions in real time.

The cable car ascent and the landscape

The ascent is gentle for me.

 At the donkey pole (Zam Eisel the Walser would say) the landscape finally opens up.

I cast my eye towards the Weng alpine pasture and catch sight of the unmistakable zigzagging of the first fresh track.

We are in the territory of Sergio, an expert mountain guide. Only he can have passed through here because he knows the passages.

 The track, in fact, seems to end in nothingness. Beyond, only the abyss.

But how beautiful the mountain is! I see alpine pastures, peaks and hills.

I hear the music that Luca, at Alpenstop, sets to fancy, without rules, with only the idea of giving joy.

There, I could already stop for a bombardino but the blue of the horizon calls and I get in line at Funifor.

The cabin as big as a room

The moving cabin is impressive; it is as big as a room and 100 per cent stable. And that's how it must be to be able to cope with the stormy winds that blow for at least 15 to 20 days in our winter at around 3,000 metres.

By some divine design, they blow mainly when there is tourism so that people think they don't want it.

I smile at the thought.

Not so!

We like people, movement, the exchange of thoughts and above all we like people who love the mountains, nature, traditions.

Overtourism happens but rarely.

Those who come to Alagna are fond of it, it is now part of the decor, as they would say in the jargon.

Ready, go!

There was a time when people used to embark by jostling each other to the cry of ‘travel, all aboard!’

Now everything is quieter, there is even carpeting in the cabin.

The doors close and in less than 10 minutes we are at the Passo dei Salati, at 2980m.

Spritz time or Bombardino?

At this point I stop, the Bombardino calls!

Daniele, with his blond goatee and short sleeves despite the temperature, instead proposes a spritz, which I consume on the terrace at the new tables made from the baskets of the historic Balma lift.

We Alagnesi are fond of the memory of that slope (which was an off-piste, and a mouth-watering one at that).

It is no coincidence that we became famous for the Freeride Paradise!

A quick glance towards the Bors glaciers, the old Indren station and I tackle the Olen descent.

The Mosso Institute and the restaurant

A few hundred metres from the entrance to the track, I veer to the right; I feel like visiting

 the Mosso Scientific Institute. A leap back in time as the institute was founded in 1907.

Now it has been renovated with skill and passion and there is an interactive, multimedia museum.

Ancient instrumentation alternates with films and narrations.

The Rifugi Monterosa has opened a restaurant with glass windows everywhere right on the terrace of the institute (the project later envisages an accommodation facility with beds as well).

It is thus possible to eat turned towards the Capanna Margherita or looking at the valley and distant borders.

I go there willingly.

Annina, who runs the establishment with Erika, is a familiar face, but only to those with a good leg and who frequent refuges.

The wine cellar is respectable, to the envy of low-altitude restaurants.

I see the staff in the kitchen.

 Isham and Erica, always them, always together; now at Mosso now at Capanna Gnifetti.

Annina and Giulia offer me a ‘Bacio di Dama’ biscuit, strictly made by them (I am witness to this, as they knead the dough as they speak to me).

Time is a tyrant.

The black Olen slope awaits me! The entrance is a gully, the grooming is perfect, the snow is almost chalky

 Everything is so intimate here.

I think that solitude in the mountains is never real solitude, I think it is rather immersion and contemplation.

How lucky I am to live here!

L'articolo The ‘Alagna’ skier proviene da Alagna.

Just outside the village of Alagna, immersed in the breathtaking scenery of the Western Alps, lies a secret carved in stone: the Kreas mining galleries. A place that tells stories of men and gold, of toil and hope, of an indissoluble bond between Valsesia and its land.

Today, thanks to an ambitious project by the municipality of Alagna, this hidden heritage is preparing to come back to light. The redevelopment of the old mines and the San Lorenzo Factory will open a passage in time, offering us the opportunity to relive the past in a unique way.

A journey through history and innovation

The Kreas Mining Park project has two fronts. The first involves the San Lorenzo Factory, where the gold extracted from the mines was refined in the past. Here, a historic hydraulic millstone, fed by the clear waters of the Sesia river, will be restored to show the process of crushing gold stones. Next to the factory, a new building in harmony with the landscape will house a modern service centre with a ticket office, cafeteria and bookshop.

The second part of the project will take visitors inside the galleries of the old feldspar mine, built on the ashes of the gold mines and active until a few years ago. Here, the fascination of the underground meets the tale of centuries of Alpine labour and resilience.

An experience to live

During the Christmas holidays of 2025, the most curious were able to participate in two preview visits of the San Lorenzo Factory, getting a taste of what the future mining park will be like. Further dates will be available in the coming winter months, offering the chance to immerse oneself in an experience that combines memory and identity.

Valsesia, with its Monte Rosa and its timeless villages, has always guarded precious treasures. The Kreas mines will soon be ready to tell their story again.

Don't miss the chance to discover them!

L'articolo The Kreas Mining Park proviene da Alagna.

Would you like to go sightseeing with us?

We are now going to visit the most suggestive corners of Alagna and show you all the opportunities and unique experiences that Alagna can offer you!

Do you want to experience unforgettable weekends full of emotions?

Come on, let's go!

Wold

Here we are at the Wold… If you want to learn to ski, the Wold ski lift is for you!

Children learning to ski, ski instructors and a restaurant on the slope will welcome you.

Next to the ski instructors' hut you will find a small field where the youngest skiers can have fun and a small bobsleigh run!

The Ski Area

Take the winter shuttle down to the centre of Alagna and head for the ski lifts.

There are 200 km of slopes waiting for you!

This is a vast ski area that allows you to reach Gressoney and even Champoluc!

A day in the company of your friends on the wonderful ski slopes will bring you much joy!

The freshly groomed slopes, the fresh morning wind and the sun warming your face will arouse unique emotions in you.

The ice rink and cross-country track

If you are not interested in alpine skiing, there is no shortage of sports on offer: the skating rink in Alagna and the cross-country track in Riva Valdobbia could be a fantastic alternative!

From this year, the opening of the cross-country track will be guaranteed for the entire season by a new snow groomer and a snowmaking system. This novelty is dictated by the Alagna municipality's motivation in believing in this magnificent sport.

Skating is a much-loved activity for young and old alike, and you can practise it on Alagna's shining rink. The spectacular ice will allow you to experience a unique morning.

… And a hot chocolate after a morning of skating is not to be missed!

In addition to all these opportunities, there are also the many walks that inspire so much wonder.

Snowshoeing

In winter, hiking takes on a wintery guise and becomes snowshoeing. By snowshoeing you can reach the heart of the mountains surrounding the village of Alagna: to Follu in Val d'Otro and to the Walser hamlet of Peccia in Valle Vogna. You can also walk along the Riva cycle path and the little path from Alagna to the Wold.

Our sightseeing tour is over, now it's your turn to try these exciting experiences for yourself!

L'articolo Alagna at 360 degrees proviene da Alagna.

The snow covering the fir trees and the chimneys smoking in the fresh morning air are manifestations of the advent of the new season, welcomed with much joy by the people of Alagna!

As you well know, the winter season is a very important period for our colorful village: this will be enlivened by passionate skiers, many exciting events and those who love the mountains in its warm Christmas atmosphere.

The opening of the ski facilities

What will most arouse your attention will almost certainly be the opening of the ski lifts!

Starting December 6, ski on your back and off you go on a new adventure. Freshly groomed slopes, Sunshine that will warm your face and hot chocolate are waiting for you charged with energy!

The exciting news

And don't forget that the sporting opportunities offered by Alagna are not just about downhill skiing.

If you are a fan of Nordic skiing, you will be happy to learn wonderful news… This year the opening of the Riva and Alagna cross-country ski trail will be guaranteed throughout the season by a new, more modern snow groomer and snowmaking equipment!

This innovation is dictated by the great motivation of the Village of Alagna in believing in this special sport!

Ancient winter traditions

This fantastic time of year brings with it famous and unforgettable customs and traditions.

Among them, one cannot forget the one on December 26 and the one on January 6.

In fact, all the boys and girls were always looking forward to December 26 so that they could go to the Boxing Day dance, where there was no shortage of merry dancing, fun and lots of joy…

Originally, St. Stephen's Day was held in private homes, but with the construction of the Alagnese Union Theater in the early 1900s, the dance found a new official venue. Here the tradition of the famous “Youth Ball” was born.

The event required a precise dress code: dark suit, preferably black, for men; traditional costume and white apron for girls. The evening, in addition to being a time of celebration and sharing, was also an opportunity for cute pranks. Particularly memorable was the rope game: two young men would mingle with the dancers with a hidden rope and, having spotted a couple-often soon-to-be-married boyfriends or lovers eager to keep their relationship a secret-they would throw the rope around the two, binding them tightly. The act would elicit laughter and applause from onlookers, making the evening even more lively. To prevent other engaged couples from suspecting, the “players” would be replaced with each successive round of dancing.

The boys and girls from Riva Valdobbia would go to the dance in Alagna and return on foot in the middle of the night, and despite the harsh winter weather, with all the merriment in their hearts, the cold did not make itself felt!

Tradition has it that on the night of January 5, the girls would put a cup full of water outside the window and the next morning, the drawing that appeared on the ice created would represent the work of their future husband!

We wait You for the time when our little village is surrounded by the beautiful snowy mountains to experience days full of happiness with us!

L'articolo Alagna's shining winter season proviene da Alagna.

The most magical time of the year is upon us.

Despite the frenzy that Christmas brings, the atmosphere of surprise, magic, sharing and expectation, have the upper hand.

If you want to experience all these emotions in advance, then you must plan a weekend in Alagna!

Cradled between vertical walls and formed by many small hamlets, Alagna looks like a small crib.

The ancient tradition of Sankt Niklos

Tradition has it that in Alagna the Santa Claus arrives on December 6, for St. Nicholas (for our Alemannic ancestors it was Sankt Niklos).

The Saint's arrival was eagerly awaited by the little Walser children; the only time of the year when they received a longed-for present.

They did not live poorly since the territory provided enough for subsistence but having the gift of sweets or new scapins for the winter, brought by night by an old man with a long white beard and his faithful donkey was another story.

The preparation ritual was repeated in every home: before going to sleep in the alcove upstairs, a cup of milk and a piece of bread had to be prepared for the odd couple of wayfarers who left gifts in return.

Now the tradition is repeated: an authentic Sankt Niklos harnessed as a bishop and his faithful servant brighten the spirits of the little people of Alagna on the night of December 5-6.

This is followed by Mass in the small church in Pedemonte and the throwing of sweets (over the years they have slowly replaced mandarins, once the only delicacy).

The hopeful wait for snow

It is the time of the first snowfalls, much expected.

Snow, it is known, for mountain people is bread and relaxes the spirits of those who invest in the area.

What kind of winter will it be?

The December 2 Santa Bibiana, snow merchant in case St. Andrew and St. Catherine were dry, nevertheless decrees the weather for the next 40 days.

Believe it or not, but it works!

The warm-hearted markets “The Magic of Christmas”

During the Immaculate Conception weekend, the street comes alive with Christmas markets; an excellent opportunity to learn about and buy local products and experience the warm and fragrant atmosphere that preludes the winter vacations.

Candles that smell of orange and cinnamon, furry pillows and handmade blankets, scarves and slippers.

Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Music, dancing and sharing around the brazier.

If you, too, are a winter-loving dreamer and your thoughts take you to memories of faraway Christmases, lived amidst choice hugs and family traditions, Alagna is your place!

L'articolo The Magic of Christmas proviene da Alagna.

The Walser vision of death

What face did death take on in Walser life?

That of the Walser was, certainly, not a simple life; their existence was marked by sacrifice, a lot of work and painful death. How, then, did they endure such a “hard” life?

Thus some legends were born that could fill the void left by the lack of rational answers to the questions posed to the difficult existence and the harsh environment that surrounded them.

Imagine yourself in a Walser home, the darkness of the evening and the snow falling… These legends also had the function of enlivening the long winter evenings!

The window of the soul

And what happened when a family member left their family?

… Not only the material dimension was involved in the mystery of death….

Houses were, in fact, equipped with the window of the soul.

And aren't you curious? Let's find out what it is right now!

The soul window is a small opening placed in the wall of the stube (room with a stove) that was opened when a family member died to release his or her soul bound for the glaciers of Mount Rosa and was closed again immediately afterwards so that the soul itself could not return.

The mysterious legend

Let us examine together a mysterious and “eerie” legend that animates the hearts of the Walser people as autumn and the month of November arrive.

Legend has it that at midnight on November 1, the souls of the dead emerge from their graves to gather, then, in a long procession headed toward the Bors glacier.

Each soul proceeds with its little finger lit like a candle, acting as a guide through the dark path!

What if this procession of souls encounters a living soul? This one is stopped and knighted by giving it a miraculous staff to guide the procession and it is allowed to make a wish!

The different penances and some curiosities

And are the penances the same for all souls?

If the procession encounters a ravine or a stream, the most sinful soul must stretch out its arms and legs to reach the opposite bank, thus making itself a bridge for others.

Before dawn the procession reaches the glaciers, and here the souls atone for their sins by tapping the ice with pins; the sound spreads through the valleys!

From this legend was born the custom among villagers to turn their ears to the mountains on the night of November 2 to listen to this sound.

If you would also like to take part in this custom you will feel a thrill in your heart at the thought of what this represents!

A later legend says that, not so many years ago, a gentleman met, near the Bors Glacier, a good woman with a cloth bag on her shoulders, from which a wooden handle protruded.

What was she doing? She was on her way to the glacier to build small steps so that the soul of her mother, who had died a few days earlier, could ascend more easily….

In fact, as Ravelli told us in 1924, many villagers were wandering in the glacier as if they were in a shrine, “…bending their bare knees on the living glacier and praying for the souls of their sorrowful ancestors and for the preservation of themselves from such a hard punishment after death…”

Although not very cheerful, this legend awakens many emotions in our hearts and makes us feel a feeling of love for our dear Walser ancestors, who made so many sacrifices and labors to realize their culture together with the wonderful Walser villages!

L'articolo The mysterious legend of the dead proviene da Alagna.

The one at Alpe Pile is a hike suitable for families, children and mountain enthusiasts.

The characteristic shuttle departure

We are at the Wold parking car, backpacking, see the shuttle and we go!

We park our car at the parking lot of Wold, the last parking lot in Alagna and here we can see the winter ski lift and imagine the snow-covered meadows with children having fun skiing.

In front of us is the shuttle waiting for us, we take the ticket and in less than 10 minutes here we are at Acqua Bianca (1450 m). We stop for a few moments to admire the spectacular waterfalls and immediately take the trail number 206.

In less than 10 minutes we are facing another waterfall, these are the so-called "Boilers of the Sesia," what a wonder!

The Visitor Center and Botanical Garden at Alpe Fum Bitz

An "obligatory" stop is at the Visitor Center and Botanical Garden at Alpe Fum Bitz.

These are located in the highest protected area in Europe: the Alta Valsesia Nature Park, at an altitude of about 1,600 m.

The garden was established in 1999 and is home to a wide variety of species and large floristic-vegetation areas where there are 131 types of flowers.

You can find it open in summer, or by reservation at other times of the year; you can, thus, acquire all the news about the flora and fauna of the Park!

The enchanting arrival

In about 20 minutes of walking, here we are at Alpe Pile (1575 m) where there is Rifugio Pastore and a splendid view of Monte Rosa; this is one of the most important viewpoints on the South Face of Monte Rosa.

In addition to the many meadows and pastures, there are high rocks here with round-shaped erosions called "Giants' potholes". It is thought, in fact, that giants have passed through and these have left their footprints!

These cavities are actually the result of the significant erosive action exerted by the glacier.

Children really like to play on these rocks, also because in the "Giants' potholes" there are some tadpoles.

The Rifugio Pastore

The Refuge was built in 1972, and the Varallo Sesia section of the Alpine Club dedicated it to the memory of member Francesco Pastore, brother of then sectional president Gianni Pastore, who died prematurely in a car accident.

The building consists of four characteristic, completely renovated huts where larch wood and typical Valsesia stones predominate.

In the main building you can find the restaurant offering excellent cuisine and the bar equipped with a large panoramic terrace. In the adjoining lodges you can find the dormitories and dormitories.

Let's not forget that there are binoculars outside the Refuge that will allow you to admire all the peaks of Monte Rosa!

The Refuge offers a dedicated space for tents; if you want to experience the mountains under the stars, this enchanting place is for you!

The lodge offers a stay in a facility surrounded by nature and overlooking Monte Rosa. Waking up, opening the window, feeling the fresh air on your face while observing Monte Rosa right in front of you, will give you all the energy to live a day full of emotions!

L'articolo A nice family hike to Rifugio Pastore :-) proviene da Alagna.

We are in Valle Vogna, at Cà di Janzo, and in about fifteen minutes we arrive at Sant'Antonio, where we make a brief stop to drink a coffee that gives us energy to tackle our climb.

The Abbot Antonio Carestia, an illustrious botanist, mountaineer, expert parchment translator and the man to whom the hut that will welcome us in a few hours is dedicated, lived in this splendid hamlet in the 1800s.

The cosy path

Along the dirt track we find a drinking fountain that offers us fresh water to fill our water bottles. We now arrive at the crossroads and follow the signpost 202, which takes us to the Rifugio Abate Carestia.

The path immediately becomes steep, but we do not realise this so much as we are immersed in the splendour of the nature that surrounds us.

When we reach the hamlet of Piane, we admire the hamlet of Peccia for a few moments, where there is a bright little artificial lake and numerous Walser houses. We set off again!

The satisfactory arrival at the refuge and the ibexes

After two and a half hours, we arrive at Rifugio Abate Carestia (2201 m). Fatigue sets in but the view comforts us, giving us the strength to continue our ascent to admire as many natural wonders.

Here is an ibex! We are almost certain to meet many more; ibexes love to live in this area and run up and down these slopes.

We smell a good scent coming from the refuge, but alas, lunch is waiting for us on the way back….

Refuge News

The Rifugio is a large stone building, surrounded by high peaks and flanked by a clear stream; an ideal place for a relaxing weekend away from noise and daily stress.

It has a bar-restaurant and 30 beds. The building, dedicated to Abbot Carestia, was built in 1995 to replace the old construction that had become unsafe.

The first coloured lake: the White Lake

Awaiting us, half an hour from the refuge, is the majestic Lago Bianco (2332 m). Although the water is very cold, the bravest can take a dip!

The lake, insolated between the mountains, is shallow and inhabited by char. Fishing enthusiasts can expect us here practising no-kill fly-fishing, while we continue, skirting the entire lake, towards the Black Lake.

And just when you thought it was over, here comes the climb!

We dedicate another 1h 30' of walking time and arrive at Lake Nero (2672 m), which is very deep and inhabited by char, rainbow and a few beautiful brown trout. We will almost certainly have to tread some snow: a fantastic mountain climate and a lot of peace and quiet will welcome us.

Do you know what an ancient legend has it?

It is said that a bride lost her ring right here, at Lake Nero, and that it was later found in the fountain of the ‘Giavino’ (a spring between Riva and Alagna, opposite the petrol station).

The difficult path that experienced hikers take to get to Corno Bianco starts from Lago Nero; this path requires a great deal of attention, in fact, many mountaineers have lost their lives here. It was therefore necessary to equip the path with chains.

But we proceed no further, we have already walked 4h 30' and, above all, the polenta with sausage at the Refuge is waiting for us!

L'articolo Between Alpine lakes and the colours of nature proviene da Alagna.

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.