Alagna Valsesia: Skiing, Trails and Walser Culture
Accommodation in Alagna Valsesia
Trails, Landscape and Water
West of the town center of Alagna, the Valle di Otro opens up. Anyone wishing to reach the valley must walk exclusively along a steep mule track; the walking time is approximately one hour. This access route makes planning the hike an important part of the excursion.
The Sentiero Glaciologico runs through part of the Valle del Sesia and onward through the Vallone di Bors. The route leads from Acqua Bianca to Alpe Fun d’Ekku.
File:13021 Alagna Valsesia, Province of Vercelli, Italy - panoramio.jpg
Photo: Tatiana Bashinskaya via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
The Percorso geologico-pedologico di Cimalegna is a circular trail with eight educational panels. The panels cover the geological history of this section of the Alpine chain, the exposed rocks and the soils. The circular trail thus draws attention to the geological foundations of the landscape.
At Alpe Fum Bitz, the Giardino Botanico displays magnificent blooms. They are particularly worth admiring from late spring through the summer. Those visiting the garden for its flowers should plan their visit for late spring and the summer months.
Rafting, canyoning and hydrospeed are practiced on the Sesia River. These three activities complement the trails and botanical destinations with water-based pursuits.
Walser Culture and Historic Places
The Museo Walser in the Pedemonte district of Alagna is housed in a furnished traditional home and presents the way of life and traditions of the Walser people. The home provides the specific spatial setting for this presentation.
The parish church of S. Giovanni Battista contains treasures of sacred art. Its style combines influences from north of the Alps with Valsesian influences and culminates in a monumental high altar dating from the period after the Counter-Reformation.
The Oratorio di San Nicolao in Alagna dates from the 17th century. In the Resiga district stands a 19th-century sawmill powered by the water of the waterfall on the Torrente d’Otro stream.
At the watermills in the Uterio district, the processing of grain into flour can be traced back to the 16th century. Their historic use was therefore closely linked to grinding grain and producing flour.
For the Ecomuseo Walser, a system is planned that connects homes, mills, sawmills, ovens and alpine pastures as thematic components of Walser life. The concept thus encompasses various components of Walser life without separating them from their respective context.
Skiing and Winter Activities
Alagna provides access to the Monterosa Ski network. The network connects Alagna, Gressoney and Champoluc. For a skiing holiday, this means access via Alagna to a network encompassing several locations.
The Monterosa Ski area accessible from Alagna includes alpine skiing, snowboarding, telemark skiing and freeriding. The range of winter sports therefore extends beyond classic alpine skiing and includes several distinct disciplines.
The Wold ski area in the Merletti district has a designated sledding area. Sledding is therefore offered there as a separate winter activity.
Further destinations for planning your trip: Campertogno, Piode, Pila, Scopello, Riva Valdobbia.
For the overview of the wider travel region: Vercelli.
