Riva Valdobbia: Walser culture, mountain trails and historic places

Routes and hiking trails

Section SI E47 of the Sentiero Italia CAI descends from Valvogna to Riva Valdobbia. It then continues along the main road to Alagna Valsesia. The Via Regia leads from Riva Valdobbia through several hamlets to Colle Valdobbia, with the historic Ospizio Sottile. The Via Regia was an old route connecting the area with the Aosta Valley and was used by merchants and emigrants. Hiking trail No. 205 leads from Sant’Antonio to Alpe Maccagno. The trail is moderately difficult, takes an average of three hours and involves 808 metres of ascent. The trails therefore have different starting and ending points: Valvogna, Riva Valdobbia, Alagna Valsesia, Sant’Antonio, Alpe Maccagno and Colle Valdobbia.

Valleys, alpine pastures and cheese production

Val Vogna is considered a particularly wild and narrow mountain valley, hemmed in between the mountains. Val Vogna is characterised by Walser villages and numerous small oratories of great historical and cultural importance. Alpe Larecchio lies in a high valley surrounded by larch trees, with a broad plateau. Alpe Larecchio has a small lake and an agriturismo. The valley is therefore home to Walser villages and small oratories, while larch trees, a plateau, a lake and an agriturismo come together at Alpe Larecchio. The eponymous Toma Maccagno (D.O.P.) cheese is produced at Alpe Maccagno in the area of Riva Valdobbia.

Walser culture and churches

The Walser Ethnographic Museum is located in the Rabernardo district of Riva Valdobbia and is dedicated to Walser culture and traditions. The museum is housed in a traditional Walser house made of stone and wood. The reconstructed areas include a living room, kitchen, bedroom and stable. The Oratorio San Lorenzo in the Oro district of Riva Valdobbia was built in 1706. The present parish church of San Michele Arcangelo dates back to the renovation of the 15th-century Oratorio Santa Maria. Puncetto is an embroidery art still practised locally today, created exclusively with a needle and thread from thousands of small knots. For those interested in culture, Rabernardo with the Walser Museum and Oro with the Oratorio San Lorenzo are two specific districts of Riva Valdobbia.

Peaks in the surrounding area

The Punta Sparone summit lies in the immediate vicinity of Riva Valdobbia. The Sasso Bruciato summit lies in the area around Riva Valdobbia. Mount Corno Mud lies in the area around Riva Valdobbia. Mount Corno Bianco lies in the area around Riva Valdobbia.

Historic buildings in the wider regional area

Castello di Ussel is located in the wider regional area around Riva Valdobbia. Castello di Suzey is located in the wider regional area around Riva Valdobbia. Castello di Zumaglia is located in the wider regional area around Riva Valdobbia. Forte di Bard is located in the wider regional area around Riva Valdobbia. The peaks and architectural destinations thus extend from the immediate vicinity to the wider regional area around Riva Valdobbia.

More destinations for your travel planning: Scopello, Piode, Alagna Valsesia, Pila, Campertogno

To the higher-level travel overview: Vercelli.