Departure point:
Domodossola (VB), Italy
How to get there:
By train: Domodossola Station, Ferrovie dello Stato. Timetables: http://www.trenitalia.com/; www.ffs.ch
By car: A26 motorway to Gravellona Toce, then SS33 Sempione, exit for Domodossola .
General Description:
Circular itinerary to rediscover the bond between man and nature through the chestnut tree, symbol of Ossola’s civilization. You will cross rural villages, traditionally built of stone and wood, and forests showing clear preserved evidences of life and economy from the past.
The route:
From via Matterella, SouthWest of Domodossola’ town center, go up along the Via Crucis in direction of the square of the Sacro Monte Calvario (UNESCO World Heritage). From here on trail D0 you will soon reach San Defendente and the nearby hamlet of Cruppi. On a nice paved hillside mule track, which cuts to terraced vineyards and chestnuts woods, you will reach Anzuno, a well preserved traditional old village, where you can still find a furnace and a mill both renovated that you can visit only by appointment. Continue going out of the village in direction of Molini, where you will soon reach the ruins of the old mills. Inside, one of the two mills is still intact. Go along the trail you took on your way forward to cross again Anzuno and remaining on the lower part of the trail passing in front of the small church of the village, go on up to Crosiggia and you will soon be again at the Sacro Monte Calvario.
Useful information:
Trail number A1 - D0. Educational panels on the peasant civilization in Anzuno. It is possible to go on from Anzuno in direction of Villadossola along the itinerary called Via dei Torchi e dei Mulini (winepress and mills route).
Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy (Sacred Mountains), Unesco World Heritage: www.sacrimonti.net; http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1068
Where to eat:
Agriturismo della Tensa, Località Tensa, 28845 Domodossola, VB, (IT), +39 340 6088716 +39 0324 346031, http://www.agriturismotensa.it
Circolo Acli Santa Croce, Borgata Sacro Monte Calvario, 28845 Domodossola, VB, (IT) Tel. +39 0324 47049
