Nature hike in the Val Grande National Park

Walk the paths of the lower Val Grande with an experienced guide and visit the 'Kingdom of the Italian wilderness ', where nature is taking back the spaces once densely populated by man and his buildings.

Taking part in anexcursion in the Val Grande National Park will allow you to discover a wonderful forest and immerse yourself in nature growing undisturbed.

The accompaniment of a private guide will be essential to discover what remains of mule tracks, farmhouses and roads that bear witness to the ancient presence of man. You will be able to reconnect with nature and fantasise about the life that once flowed in these places.

What we will do

We meet the guide in Stork, the small capital of the park. Once we are ready, we will set off along the old Sutermeister road along the Pogallo gorge, an incredible feat of engineering, which runs along vertical cliffs above the stream.

You will arrive at Pogallo, a foresters' coordination centre where there was once a school, barracks and a hospital, while today only ruins and a few renovated cottages remain. It is here that your hike will begin.

You will take a narrow uphill path that touches several nuclei once inhabited by woodcutters and shepherds, leading you to the little chapel of Cima Selva and the nearby nucleus of Leciuri. Here the panorama will change radically, becoming wide and sunny, with views of the Pogallo Valley on one side and Lake Maggiore on the other.

At lunchtime you will sit on the meadow and recover your energy with your packed lunch. Alternatively, you can walk to a bivouac for a morewilderness-style experience. Your guide will pamper you with a mocha of hot coffee and some sweets.

After resting, you will resume your walk. With the guide's help, you will discover the traces of mule tracks, roads, cable cars, charcoal kilns and terraces that are now only a distant memory. You will reach the meadows of Prà, after which the descent will begin, taking you back to Cicogna, where you will arrive around 17:00.

The route is 10 km in total, with a positive altitude difference of 850 m. The experience has a total duration of 8 ½ hours.

Who it is aimed at

The hike is also suitable for beginners in hiking and trekking, but the altitude difference and the length of the route require some training. The minimum age for participation is 14.

Other information

The experience is intended for private groups of up to 8 participants.

It is possible to request a reduction in the altitude difference to just 500 metres, in which case you can also leave in the afternoon, use the bivouac for dinner and return with the lights of the nearby plains illuminating the trails. If you are interested in this option, please contact us in private.

Within the Park's boundaries, the telephone often has no signal and the bivouacs are not equipped with toilets.

The group will also include Shadow, the guide's Husky puppy; she is tame and reserved and will be on a leash for the duration of the hike. Other dogs can also participate in the experience, but must be kept on a leash.

It is possible - but not obligatory - to take out individual accident insurance at an extra cost of €5 to be paid on site. Please inform the guide in good time of your name, surname and social security number.

Recommended clothing

• Technical T-shirt
• Hiking trousers (preferably long)
• Trekking boots in good condition

Don't forget to bring

• Packed lunch
• Water (at least 1 litre)
• Snacks or bars
• Spare T-shirt
• Fleece or other warm clothing
• Windproof and waterproof jacket
• Buff or cap with visor