Riva Valdobbia between Walser culture and mountain trails

Riva Valdobbia combines impressive mountain landscapes with Walser culture, historic architecture and a local handicraft tradition that is still maintained today. The result is a destination where you can combine experiences in nature with regional history, without having to treat these interests separately.

Mountain Valley, Trails and High-Altitude Areas

Val Vogna is considered a particularly wild, narrow mountain valley hemmed in by the surrounding mountains. Walser villages and numerous small oratories of great historical and cultural significance characterize the valley. Alpe Larecchio lies in a high valley surrounded by larches, with a broad plateau; there is a small lake and an agriturismo there.

Section SI E47 of the Sentiero Italia CAI leads down from Valvogna to Riva Valdobbia and then continues along the main road to Alagna Valsesia. If you plan this section, you should take into account in your day’s itinerary the change from the hiking trail to the main road for the connection to Alagna Valsesia. The Via Regia leads from Riva Valdobbia through several hamlets to Colle Valdobbia, home to the historic Ospizio Sottile. It was an old connection route to the Aosta Valley and was used by merchants and emigrants.

For a specific hike, there is Trail No. 205 from Sant’Antonio to Alpe Maccagno. The trail is considered moderately difficult, takes an average of three hours and involves 808 metres of ascent. The Punta Sparone summit is also located nearby. Sasso Bruciato, Corno Mud and Corno Bianco are in the vicinity of Riva Valdobbia.

Walser Culture and Local History

The Walser Ethnographic Museum is located in the Rabernardo district and is dedicated to the culture and traditions of the Walser people. The museum is housed in a traditional Walser home made of stone and wood. The reconstructed areas include a living room, kitchen, bedroom and stable.

In the Oro district, the Oratorio San Lorenzo was built in 1706. Today’s parish church of San Michele Arcangelo dates back to the renovation of the 15th-century Oratorio Santa Maria. Puncetto is a form of embroidery still practiced locally today, created exclusively with needle and thread from thousands of tiny knots.

Castles, Fort and Regional Specialty

In the wider region around Riva Valdobbia are the castles Castello di Ussel, Castello di Suzey and Castello di Zumaglia, as well as the Forte di Bard fort. These destinations provide an additional perspective on the historical character of the wider area, while the churches and the Walser Museum anchor the history directly in the districts of Riva Valdobbia.

The cheese of the same name, Toma Maccagno (D.O.P.), is produced at Alpe Maccagno in the Riva Valdobbia area.

Discover more places for your trip to Italy via Cellio, Borgosesia, Trino, San Genuario, Alagna Valsesia, Vocca, Rimella and Cigliano.

To the main travel overview: Vercelli.