Pila among mountain paths, frescoes and history
Accommodation in Pila
Winter connections and mountain paths
For you, Pila’s winter connection begins with the Alpe di Mera (Scopello) ski area. The Alpe di Mera (Scopello) ski area has ski slopes that partly touch the municipal territory of Pila. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider the winter sports connection separately from the walking routes and cultural destinations.
Path 232: Route and elevations
Path 232 begins in Pila at an elevation of 686 metres and ends in Villabella at 1,057 metres; the difference in elevation is 371 metres. Within the locality of Pila, path 232 begins near a fountain and leads as an uphill mule track through trees, passing three small chapels. Its route therefore runs from Pila to Villabella and also includes specific landscape features and the three small chapels along the mule track. For you, both the elevation and the type of path are central to this route.
Paths through Pila and towards Monte Ovago
The path connecting Pila’s small hamlets leads towards Monte Ovago, at an elevation of 1,754 metres, and can be walked all year round. The Valsesia cycling and walking route passes through Pila, with more than 100 kilometres of paths through forests and grazing land, reaching an elevation of 3,000 metres at Monte Rosa.
Churches and Oratories
The parish church of San Pietro contains several frescoes from the late 15th and 17th centuries. The Oratory of Santa Caterina contains several frescoes from the late 15th century. San Pietro and Santa Caterina are therefore two religious buildings containing several frescoes. If you organise cultural destinations by name, the parish church and the oratory remain clearly distinguished from one another.
Traces of local history
Pila is first mentioned in a document from 1217. A medieval bridge is located near the centre of Pila. The medieval bridge formerly served as the boundary between the French Empire and the Cisalpine Republic. The bridge therefore represents an earlier political border function, while the mention dating from 1217 provides a separate historical connection to Pila.
In Failungo, there is the 16th-century Oratory of San Francesco d'Assisi, dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. The oratory’s distinct name, its dedication and its classification as dating from the 16th century give this site a clear place among the religious destinations in the surrounding area. For orientation, you can clearly distinguish San Francesco d'Assisi in Failungo from San Pietro and Santa Caterina.
More places for travel planning: Scopello, Riva Valdobbia, Campertogno, Alagna Valsesia, Piode.
For the higher-level travel overview: Vercelli.
More about the destination
Relevant information for planning your trip:
