Departure point:
Mergozzo (VB), Italy
How to get there:
By train: Mergozzo or Verbania Pallanza Station, Ferrovie dello Stato. Timetables: http://www.trenitalia.com/; www.ffs.ch
By bus: Bus for Mergozzo, line Domodossola – Verbania. Timetables: www.vcoinbus.it
By car: A26 motorway exit Gravellona Toce. Follow direction for Mergozzo.
General Description:
Very panoramic hiking itinerary of several days on the ridge running along the mountains chain overlooking Lake Maggiore.
The route:
From Mergozzo you reach for Bracchio where starts a steep track leading to Alpe Vercio. Continue on the steep trail leading to the Colma di Vercio and from here along the ridge you shortly arrive at the top of Mount Faiè, beautiful panoramic point. From Mount Faiè go down along the East ridge until you reach the trail leading to Alpe Ompio. Continuing on the trail below the refuge you reach the chapel Cappella di Erfo and you enter the trail leading through the chestnut woods up to the village of Rovegro. After the San Bernardino river you go up on the opposite face of the valley until you arrive in Cossogno and the Oratory of Inoca where, through a steep trail, you continue for Alpe Runchio, and for Alpe Aurelio and finally you reach the top of Mount Todum. From here begins the chain of peaks from where to enjoy the magnificent view over the Lake Maggiore and the Val Grande, passing from Pizzo Pernice, from the refuge of Pian Cavallone and then down to Sunfai and the village of Intragna. Following the trail of the pastures you will reach beautiful Piaggia with its particular oratory. Then you go up to Passo Folungo and then along the military road Cadorna, to Colle. From here you go down to Piazza and up to the Forcola’s peak and then always on the ridge, Pian Bello, Ologno’s peak and mount Carza to go down to Viggiona. From the “old Church”, a national monument, you go down along the trail for Molineggi up towards Cannobio, by the lakeside.
Useful information:
From Cannobio you can go back to Verbania-Pallanza by boat with la Navigazione Lago Maggiore. Timetables: www.navigazionelaghi.it. Or by bus, line Verbania-Brissago. Timetables: www.vcoinbus.it. From Verbania-Pallanza by train until Mergozzo stop Mergozzo, Ferrovie dello Stato. Timetables: www.trenitalia.com
Where to eat and stay:
- Rifugio CAI Fantoli - Refuge – località Alpe Ompio – San Bernardino Verbano , VB (IT) tel. +39 340 5783883 www.rifugiofantoli.it
- CIP e CIOP – Bed & Breakfast – Via San Martino, 13 28801 – Cossogno, VB (IT) tel. +39 0323 468334 +39 339 7602372 www.cipeciop.eu
- Giulietta e Romeo - Bed & Breakfast Restaurant – via per Inoca 28801 Cossogno, VB (IT) tel. +39 0323 468429 +39 3482501991
- Le 2 formiche – Holiday home – Via alla latteria 28801 – Cossogno, VB (IT) tel. +39 0323 468487 +39 348 7628038 www.ledueformiche.it
- Antica Osteria – Restaurant – P.zza Vittorio Emanuele II 28801 – Cossogno, VB (IT) tel. +39 0323 468199
- Agriturismo Villa Cresta – Restaurant – località Cresta 28801 – Cossogno, VB (IT) tel. +39 0323 468185
- Rifugio CAI Piancavallone – Refuge – località Piancavallone – tel. +39 349 2127830 (Cooperativa La Coccinella – gestore)
- La Dislocanda – Hotel Restaurant – Strada Luigi Cadorna, 26 28824 – Manegra di Oggebbio, VB (IT) tel. +39 0323 587173 www.dislocanda.it
- Albergo LA PERLA – Hotel restaurant – Via Passo Piazza, 6 28826 Trarego Viggiona, VB (IT) tel.+39 0323 788146 www.laperlatrarego.it
- Garni Viggiona – Hotel Restaurant - Via Provinciale, 3 28826 – Trarego Viggiona, VB (IT) tel. +39 0323 788050 www.garniviggiona.com
- B&B Siesta – Bad & Breakfast – Viale dei Martiri, 1 28826 – Trarego Viggiona, VB (IT) tel.+39 0323 788030
- B&B Casa Scozia - Bad & Breakfast – Via Don Vandoni, 3 28826 – Trarego Viggiona, VB (IT) tel. +39 3387497151
- B&B Ma Maison - Bad & Breakfast – Via Dott.Tarchetti, 4 28826 Viggiona, VB (IT) tel. +39 3472362882
