Ferrera between mountain trails and quiet lanes

Ferrera between the Val Mastallone and mountain trails

Ferrera is located in the Val Mastallone, a side valley of Valsesia. With its stone houses and quiet lanes, the village preserves the character of a peaceful mountain village. Its location in the side valley connects the built-up village center with higher-altitude trail destinations around Ferrera.

From Ferrera to alpine pastures and a mountain pass

A trail reaches Alpe Giavina Lunga at an altitude of 928 meters in less than half an hour. Along this trail, at 1,491 meters, there is a mountain pass offering views of the Valbella. The trail then reaches the western shoulder of Cima Kaval at 1,639 meters before leading to Alpe Vairolo. The landscape along the trail also tells of an earlier use: former agricultural terraces are now completely overgrown with forest.

The summit of Cavallo (Kaval) lies at 1,895 meters; the ascent from Ferrera takes about four hours. Another specific trail reference is CAI trail 578. It begins at Strada Val Mastallone near Ferrera at an altitude of 740 meters and leads to Alpe Vairolo at 1,658 meters. The short route to Alpe Giavina Lunga and the approximately four-hour ascent to Cavallo represent two clearly distinct time frames for hikes in Ferrera.

Getting oriented and arriving

There is a car park at the entrance to Ferrera. From there, you can continue on foot through the lanes. From Varallo, Ferrera can be reached by car via the Val Mastallone in about 15 to 20 minutes. This information describes the connection between Varallo and Ferrera; the trails into the mountains begin at or run from separate starting points.

Chapel of San Giovanni Battista and Eugenia

Ferrera's religious history also gives the village a distinctive character. A niche was created in the left wall of the Chapel of San Giovanni Battista to house Eugenia. To protect it from moisture, Eugenia's urn is currently placed directly on the altar mensa of the same chapel. The annual celebration in Eugenia's honor takes place on the last Sunday in July; it used to be celebrated more solemnly.

On October 3, the presumed martyr Eugenia was transferred to the parish church of San Pietro in Ferrera. This took place as part of a large celebration. Those interested in the connection between the landscape, local history and religious traditions will therefore find in Ferrera not only a mountain village, but also specific places and occasions associated with Eugenia.

Local initiatives and accommodation

The Ferrera hamlet is home to a Villaggio Albergo Diffuso. The Incontro group is also based in Ferrera's former school building. For a long time, it has organized cultural activities and initiatives focusing on local history, the people and local traditions.

Other places

Other destinations: Campertogno, Rimasco, Crescentino, Valduggia, Rimella, Vercelli, Vocca, Gattinara

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Vercelli.