Discover Passo: Walser history and routes to Salecchio

Passo: Oratory, Walser history and routes

Passo is where local history and the routes to Salecchio meet. The Oratorio di San Giulio dates from the 16th century and was renovated in 1666. Passo was also once home to a historic defensive barrier built to repel enemy incursions. The renovation year 1666 therefore follows the period in which it was built, in the 16th century.

Rock formations and minerals in the municipality of Premia

In the municipality of Premia, the Marmitte dei Giganti are located near Maiesso along the course of the Toce River. These are distinctive rock-erosion formations carved out of the rock by the force of meltwater from a glacier. The Marmitte dei Giganti are therefore not located in Passo itself, but near Maiesso in the municipality of Premia.

Also in the municipality of Premia, the Museo Mineralogico Don Giovanni Bonomo displays a collection of 3,333 minerals arranged by name and place of discovery. The arrangement by name and place of discovery links each mineral’s designation with its respective place of discovery.

Salecchio and Walser history

Salecchio, an old Walser colony founded in the 13th century by German settlers who immigrated from Valais, lies in the area around Passo. The Walser settlement can be reached on foot from Passo via a mountain trail. The walk from Passo to Rifugio Zum Gora in Salecchio Superiore takes two hours. The two-hour route is therefore a clearly defined section leading to Rifugio Zum Gora; this time cannot automatically be applied to every route to Salecchio. Walser history thus leads from Valais to Salecchio.

Road and hiking route to Salecchio

A rural road leads from Passo to Salecchio. The access road towards Salecchio is asphalted in sections and can be driven on in places by off-road vehicles. The sections with asphalt and the suitability for off-road vehicles make the road conditions a separate planning factor for access. A hiking route to Salecchio Superiore also leads from the Passo di Premia hamlet. The road to Salecchio and the hiking route to Salecchio Superiore also do not start from the same point: one leads from Passo, while the other starts in the Passo di Premia hamlet.

Unlit tunnel on the way to Salecchio

There is an unlit tunnel on the route towards Salecchio. The unlit tunnel is therefore a specific feature of this section of the route.

Cycling route via Alpe Vova

A cycling route leads from Passo towards Alpe Vova. From Alpe Vova, the cycling route continues to Motto. Another route leads via Case Francoli towards Salecchio Superiore. Alpe Vova is therefore an intermediate point on the route to Motto. Case Francoli belongs to another route towards Salecchio Superiore. For the cycling route, Alpe Vova, Motto and Case Francoli are three specific landmarks.

Discover more destinations

Also explore Scareno, Premosello-Chiovenda, Vogogna, Omegna, Masera, Quarna Sotto, Ornavasso and Gignese.

To the higher-level travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.