An easy walk along the wide plateau bordering the Toce River, touching on some of Formazza's hamlets with beautiful houses
Place of departure: Formazza, Fraz. San Michele (1264 m.)
Place of arrival: Fondovalle (1215 m.)
Height difference: -approx. 50 m one way
Distance: 3 km one way
Travel time net of stops: 1 hour one way
Signage: red posts
How to get there: 39 km from Domodossola. Strada Statale 33 del Sempione, Crodo exit. Follow the signs Crodo - Baceno - Val Formazza. When you reach the municipality of Formazza, continue to Fraz. San Michele.
The itinerary:
From the large car park along the main road, climb slightly to cross the River Toce with the bridge and enter San Michele. Turning slightly to the right, you reach a pretty little church and then continue straight on to the meadows before the Centro Fondo. Follow the beaten track that heads back towards the main road, keeping the houses of San Michele on your right, and then turn left along the wide beaten track marked by red posts and signs.
The route winds quietly and is well signposted, always keep to the orographic left of the Toce River and the main road, without ever getting close to it, well away from traffic and immersed in the tranquillity of what are large meadows in summer, passing a few isolated houses. On the façade of one of these, you can see a beautiful stone sundial.
Care should only be taken when the track crosses the ski slope: beware of skiers but, above all, be careful not to damage the tracks and the slope itself. In particular, at a point shortly after the houses , the footpath temporarily overlaps with the ski route to cross a bridge: as far as possible, walk in single line without encroaching too much on the track, thank you.
Alittle more than halfway along, you come within sight of the village of Chiesa, with its characteristic and very visible bell tower.
After passing Chiesa, continue along the marked trail, arriving near the houses of Bruggi, preceded by a small oratory. Just before these, turn left, bypassing them, and then approach Fondovalle, arriving near the bridge that crosses the Toce River on the right.
Turning left, you enter among the houses, some of which are very old, as shown by the engraved dates, and see the church with its pleasant portico.
The return journey is by the same route as the outward journey.
Tips for baby snowshoers
A walk suitable for everyone, even young children and those who are new to snowshoeing. In certain snow conditions, the grooming carried out makes it possible to walk even without the use of snowshoes. The return journey is uphill, albeit not significantly, and will be a little slower than the outward journey. If you have your own snowshoes, you can also leave from Fondovalle (just after the bridge on the left) and go towards San Michele, walking uphill on the way up and downhill on the way back.
CONTACTS FOR TOURIST INFORMATION
TOURIST OFFICE OF FORMAZZA
Fraz. Ponte – 28863 Formazza (VB)
Tel. +39 0324 63059
Email: prolocoformazza@libero.it
www.valformazza.it
Path makers: Franco Voglino, Annalisa Porporato e Nora Voglino
Authors of the text: Franco Voglino, Annalisa Porporato
The path is described in the book “SNOW TREK” of Distretto Turistico dei Laghi – edition 2021
The routes were suggested by ski operators and municipalities Partner of Neveazzurra project. We decline any responsability regarding the effective feasibility and any changes that the routes can suffer. Maps and tracks are purely indicative of the route.
Safety annotations:
Here are some practical tips: find out about weather and snow conditions, checking the forecasts especially at local level; check the avalanche bulletin for the relevant area; equip yourself with and carry PSA self-rescue equipment: shovel, probe and ARTVa; wear warm, waterproof clothing that is comfortable and consists of several layers... despite the snow, you will get warm as you move; hiking shoes or mountain boots depending on the area, terrain and altitude where the hike takes place; bring gloves, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen; pack a rucksack with a spare shirt and hot drinks; during the hike, always check the slopes above you; avalanches usually break off on slopes with a gradient of more than 25° and can also continue on flat sections.
