Gran Via del Devero
An alpine trek without great difficulty while admiring the views of the Ossola Valley
The route la Gran Via del Devero, runs in the Ossola Valley (northern Piedmont, on the border with Switzerland) and specifically around the massif of Mount Cistella, of which it circumnavigates, between the Antigorio, Buscagna, Cairasca and Divedro valleys. It is a clever linking of trails into a single, magnificent and stupendous alpine trekking loop route, without the technical difficulties of a high route and suitable for anyone with the adequate physical preparation to tackle its long route.
It starts from Domodossola station and always returns to the same on foot, crossing some of the most beautiful valleys in Piedmont and the entire Alpine arc. The strength of the trek is the incredible variety of the environments it traverses: from the city with all its comforts-which you soon abandon and return to on the last STAGE-to the mid-mountain pastures, bivouacs, and refuges; from the small ancient villages of ancient Walser-style stone houses to the boundless, wild grasslands of the highest elevations. It is a route with numerous support points for sleeping, eating, or stocking up, and with endless possibilities for extending the visit well beyond the five days of walking strictly necessary to cover the five stages of the itinerary.
Each STAGE point also gives its own particular beauty, allowing for energy recovery in a place that is not only “convenient” but also fascinating to visit. Potentially, the sightseeing explorations allowed by the many possible detours from the route would make for a two-week trip, to be spent among canyons unique in Italy (the Uriezzo gorges), magnificent alpine waterfalls (the highest in the Alps!), integral nature and wildlife reserves, breathtakingly beautiful alpine lakes, and countless cultural and artistic opportunities (the church of Baceno; the Walser villages of Salecchio; the splendid city of Domodossola; visits to the quarries from which the marble of Milan Cathedral is extracted...).
It starts from the plains, arriving at the remote and wild high mountains, crossing the gentle middle mountains, rich in history, legends and art. Accompanying the traveler is a moving beauty from the first STAGE, moving from cities, to iconic and welcoming villages and mountain pastures. The Gran Via del Devero enhances an ancient approach to the mountains, as true wayfarers, along routes that mountaineers and travelers used in centuries past to cross the Ossola and reach Switzerland or vice versa. The Gran Via del Devero follows sections of the Stockalper Way that connects Domodossola to Brig; stretches of the area's High Routes, such as the Alta Via della Val Divedro; and fantastic traverses, such as the world-famous Devero-Veglia Alpine crossing. The path is suitable for anyone, since there are no exposed or technically challenging sections, but rather easy trails to follow, all to be enjoyed from the first to the last step.
Technical Sheet
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Length:
87 km -
Stages:
5 -
Departure:
Domodossola -
Arrival:
Domodossola -
Theme:
montano -
Ideal period:
Late May to late October; the best time is definitely summer (June to September). As in any alpine walk, inquire in advance-at the beginning or end of the season-about the possible presence of snow on the highest section
HISTORY
The Gran Via del Devero was born from the ingenious “intuition” of three passionate and experienced hikers who, after having hiked the world’s greatest and most important treks-from Patagonia to Iceland, from Reunion Island to the Himalayas-driven by their love for their homeland, Ossola, came up with a trail that unites very old and already existing paths into a single, modern and logical Great Route.
The walk espouses the philosophy of eco-sustainability: it allows one to reach the starting point, the Domodossola station, by public transportation, and to return to it on foot or, for those who wish to break off before the loop is closed, again by public transportation. The idea took shape after a long study of ancient trails (the Stockalper route, for example) detailed maps and splendid paths (the Veia di Squetar, the flower path, the fairy forest path; etc.), in order to create a homogeneous and logical route, suitable for anyone with good breath, avoiding any technical mountaineering difficulties.
The creators of the Gran Via del Devero loop have provided a very timely gpx trail survey of the same, available to anyone who buys the Official Guidebook, have devised a “sticker brand” for signage, now widely used on the trail and accompanying the hiker at every step that requires orientation. The very comprehensive Official Trail Guide, with route descriptions, lodging and refueling solutions, links, useful contacts, historical notes, etc., completes the set of tools available to the traveling hiker.
The Ossola Valley, over which the entire route stretches, is remembered today not only for its natural beauty and good food, but also as a place of particular historical significance: in September 1944 the Ossola Partisan Republic was in fact established, declared a free land from Nazi-fascism before Italy was liberated from the invaders: it was led by a provisional government composed of all representatives of the National Liberation Committee and had universal suffrage voting and a government with female representatives, far ahead of national times. The Gran Via and its Official Guide received the applause and patronage of the Ossola territorial authorities (Province of Verbano, Cusio, Ossola; Municipality of Crevoladossola) and accompanying professional bodies (environmental hiking guides of Piedmont, local associations and facilities), sealing an outstanding achievement of creativity and initiative.
WATER SOURCES.
Numerous and present at each STAGE point; however, it is recommended to refuel before departure from day to day.
SERVICES
STAGE 01:
Domodossola (departure): numerous bars, restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries and pharmacies
Cravegna (arrival): well-stocked convenience store (hours in the Official Guide)
STAGE 02:
Alpe Devero (departure): commercial establishments with food and beverage administration, sale of local products
Stage 03:
Alpe Veglia: commercial establishments with food and beverage supply, small convenience store (hours and contacts in the Official Guide)
STAGE 04:
Varzo: bars, restaurants, stores, bakeries, pharmacies
STAGE 05:
Domodossola: numerous bars, restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, and pharmacies.
SIGNAGE
Well-distributed and very obvious signage: the direction is indicated by the GD logo placed on the existing historic trail poles.
DANGERS
No special technical difficulties (no especially exposed sections; no obligatory equipped passages); present the typical and natural objective hazards of the alpine environment (variable weather; isolation in high mountain sections, etc.)
ROAD BOTTOM.
2% asphalt – 98% dirt road
IN TENT
Tent walking is possible (extensive and detailed description of possibilities in the Official Guide), given the presence of facilities (campsites) along the route, even at high altitude. Please note that. free camping is not allowed on the territory of Piedmont, unless the stay does not exceed 48 hours and there are no places available in outdoor accommodation complexes or authorized rest areas in the locality.
Often shelters also make the space around the buildings available for campers, but it is best to make sure by contacting the facility, via the exact contacts listed in the Official Guide.
CREDENTIAL
Free of charge and available at each STAGE in two different establishments (indicated on the Official Guide): the collection of stamps is done on the Official Guide, which contains special section within it. Consumption at the establishments that offer the service of affixing the official credential is certainly welcome, in order to show gratitude for the welcome, as in any walk.
CONTACTS
STAGE 01
STAGE 01: Domodossola – Cravegna
La first STAGE of Gran Via del Devero, exciting e incredible for the surprises it holds, is perhaps the hardest (in terms of duration and elevation gain) of the entire path, so much so that many hikers decide to split it in two, stopping in the area of Crevoladossola, where it is easy to find lodging solutions and continue the remaining part the following day.
On average, one impregnates about 9 abbonant hours of walking: in not even twenty minutes one passes from the station, in the heart of Domodossola (inexcusable not to take a day to visit it!) to the paths in the woods of the lower valley, which will accompany us on a gradual ascent to the high altitudes of the Culmine di Crevola and to the “fairy” woods of Foppiano. A kaleidoscope of sensations, different environments and emotions: from the city to hamlets, from the wild forests to the heights of the first peaks of route. Fundamental junction of this STAGE is the small village of Pinone, in which we will pass again on the way back, in the fifth and final stage.
STAGE 02
STAGE 02: Cravegna – Alpe Devero
The second STAGE takes us from Cravegna (hamlet of Crodo) to the heart of the path: l’Alpe Devero. You will travel along the beautiful Veia of Squetar – ancient path, with a mysterious and fascinating name – forgetting civilization, the hubbub and the rhythms of everyday life, for enchanted hours that we will spend in the unspoiled nature. In the midst of ancient forests and populated by a rich and vital fauna you will reach theDevero plateau, passing by the ingenious hydraulic works that have made theOssola and the Antigorio Valley, in particular, the queen among Italian valleys for the production of clean, renewable electricity.
STAGE 03
STAGE 03: Alpe Devero – Alpe Veglia
The third STAGE of Gran Via del Devero is the famous, stunning and iconic Alpe Devero – Alpe Veglia traverse. This hike is rightly considered to be one of the most beautiful traverses in the entire Alpine arc: it allows one to pass from the Devero plain – unforgivable, for the frequenters of Gran Via del Devero, not to take an extra day to visit it in depth, discovering its thousand perspectives! – along the stunning Val Buscagna, to the Veglia plain, in the presence of the majestic Monte Leone (again, think of an extra day to explore the surroundings!). The STAGE crosses Scatta d’Orogna and the Valtendra Pass, at the highest elevations of the entire Cammino. At these points the environment is typical of the high mountains, but despite this, the route is within everyone’s reach and perfectly marked. Further and precise directions regarding this route are available within the Official Guide to Gran Via del Devero. Approaching the end of the section, we will walk through centuries-old larch groves and gentle pastures crossed by streams: a lush valley framed by severe and majestic peaks. One word to define this STAGE? Magnificent!
STAGE 04
STAGE 04: Alpe Veglia – Varzo
La fourth STAGE of Gran Via del Devero completes the conclusion of the tour around the massif of Mount Cistella. The route, mostly downhill, will take us along the beautiful Trail of the Flowers, above the Fairy Woods: the toponymy renders well the spectacular and unique environment that characterizes the valleys we will cross and touch (Cairasca Valley e Divedro Valley). It will be a return from the high mountains to the valley floor, crossing isolated mountain pastures far from the routes of mass tourism, and being able to admire the majesty of Mount Cistella from the perspective of its wildest and most unspoiled flanks. Slowly immersing ourselves among its stupendous hamlets, we will then reach Varzo, from which the hurried can take the train and, skipping the last STAGE (that would be a shame!), return to the station at Domodossola, the starting point of the walk.
STAGE 05
STAGE 05: Varzo – Domodossola
La fifth STAGE of Gran Via del Devero has the undisputed appeal ofexploration and of history: it is developed largely (but not exclusively) along theancient route of the Via Stockalper – the trade route that anciently connected Domodossola to Brig – and runs along the orographic right flank of the Diveria torrent, on paths that are also difficult to imagine, however wedged between water and rock. They will encounter millennial bridges, charming hamlets and solatie above the valley of Domodossola, ancient vineyards scenic spots of unexpected peace and stupendous woods that will lead us on a sweetest path, meditative and fascinating, to the most beautiful city in the Alps and, if you wish, to its Sacred Mountain. This fifth and final STAGE is in effect a return to civilization, accomplished gradually through the slow rhythms of the mountains: the perfect closing of a circle.
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STAGE 02 - Antigorio Valley Overview -
STAGE 03: After the Valtendra Pass to Veglia