VCO (Verbano, Cusio and Ossola) area is the extreme top of northern Piedmont that reaches, like a spear, the heart of Switzerland: from great lakes such as Maggiore Lake and Orta Lake close to Padana Plain and Milan, to Swiss borders between Canton Ticino and Valais.

We can imagine Northern Piedmont as a large maple leaf where at its base lie the lakes dominated by the largest wilderness area in Italy, Valgrande National Park, while going up north a series of valleys branch out from east to West, with Monte Rosa in its western part, Punta d'Arbola in the north and Val Vigezzo peaks to the east looking towards Canton Ticino in Switzerland.

Hiking in Val d’Ossola is a complete experience: nature, typical architecture that has remained intact over the centuries, uncrowded paths that offer excitement and true contact with nature. Cosy shelters with typical food. There is everything for a healthy trekking holiday.

VALLEYS AND AREAS OF NORTH PIEDMONT

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Veglia – Devero Natural Park: It lays on the border with Valais (Switzerland), very close to Simplon Pass, this valuable natural area is one of the most beautiful in Italy.
Alpe Devero is well known for its alpine lakes, active pastures where it is possible to find excellent cheese such as Bettelmatt, floral biodiversity, animals and geology.
Mountains and panoramas of a great beauty will give you indelible moments and an exciting naturalistic experience. Alpe Devero in winter is the paradise for snowshoes!

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Val Formazza: This valley lays close to the estern side of Veglia-Devero Park. It is the northest part of Piedmont region. From its peaks the view goes far to Berner Oberland in Switzerland breathing the “Northen Europe thin air”!
Formazza is rich in alpine lakes, incredible nature and biodiversity due to its complex geology and the presence of glaciers. Thanks to its natural characteristic combined with the southern exposure of the valleys Walser people, an ancient population coming from Allemandia region, colonized the highest parts in the 11th century toruning this wild area into a productive pastures.
Today we can admire the typical Walser villages with their wooden houses discovering a culture very different from the Italic one.

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Antrona and Bognanco Valleys: Antrona Valley hosts a newborn Natural Park in front of the 4000 m high Simplon peaks: Weissmies, Lagginhorn and Fletschhorn, which offer extraordinary high-altitude landscapes.
In the past most traders used the Stockalper path starting from Brig in Switzerland to Domodossola in Italy, this path connected Northern Europe to the Padana Plain and Mediterranean with trading routes called “Vie del Sale” (salt routes).
Visiting this areas you will have the possibility to take a real journey through history and nature along mountain trails.
These are less turistic valleys, few refuge, few hotels but lots of nature and high altitude wilderness!

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Valle Anzasca: It is one of Monte Rosa Walser valleys with its eastern face considered the only ice wall of Himalayan size: 2000 m of ice and rocks.
This valley offers routes connected to the nearby Valsesia and glaciological itineraries on the feet of Monte Rosa.

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Valgrande National Park: It is the largest wilderness area in Italy where nature has fully taken back its spaces. Oneundred years ago this area was full of rural activicty, but industry and the promise of a better life in the big cities took away people from here quickly so that nature, woods and animals came back again in their ancient eden!
In its steep and narrow valleys rich in beech forests and old pastures you can live an experience in total isolation from the civilized world. While on its ridges you can make high paths with a great and wonderful panorama.
There are only three huts in the peripheral areas of the park while inside there are many bivouacs obtained from old pastures that allow visitors to live a wild experience in full harmony with the natural environment.

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Orta lake and Strona Valley: It is a small valley located above Orta Lake, not very high mountains but a place full of pastures and extensive beech forests, panoramic peaks, small villages and hills close to the lake where you can immerse yourself in an intimate and fascinating rural landscape.

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Vigezzo and Cannobina Valleys: Valle Vigezzo is considered the “painters valley” due to its wide and placid landscapes. Stone houses and mountain pastures along with beautiful fir and beech woods.
Val Cannobina lays in the northernmost part of Maggiore Lake and running close to the border with Canton Ticino in Switzerland, its upper part bounds with the nearby Valle Vigezzo. Along this valley there are wonderful itineraries to travel especially in spring and autumn where colors and suggestions are very nice and paceful.

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