Highlights and tour details
From Santa Maria you go up to Crana, cross the Melezzo Orientale stream and go up to Toceno, a splendid panoramic balcony overlooking the valley, with the ancient Oratory of S. Antonio da Padova (16th century frescoes), the grand parish church (frescoes by Lorenzo Peretti) and the small Madonna del Sasso. We continue on the hillside along little asphalt roads to Vocogno and Craveggia, a real pearl of art and faith, starting from the square with the parish church of Saints Giacomo and Cristoforo and the church of Santa Marta, called the "square of miracles" of Vallle Vigezzo. Going down along the beautiful paved mule track of the Via Crucis you reach the Oratory del Piaggio and then Zornasco. Crossing the small village of Zornasco you go down to cross the main road that you must follow for 300 m (be careful as there is no pavement) until you take a mule track that goes slightly uphill on the left that reaches Villette, the village of sundials. From the church a paved mule track descends to the Sanctuary of Re. Continue along the state road and immediately after the bridge take the mule track to Folsogno. From here you continue along a long stretch of road that then descends to cross the carriage road. Here there are two options: take the uphill road and follow it until you cross the mule track to Dissimo; or go down along the road for 300 m until you cross the old mule track on the left that crosses the stream with a beautiful arched stone bridge. The mule track crosses the carriage road and goes up to Dissimo. The path continues in the upper part of the village on the hillside with a beautiful panoramic view of Monte Gridone. The old path ends abruptly at a chapel ruin where you must descend on the carriage road that you follow as far as Olgia. From here with a nice and slightly downhill mule track you go down to Ponte Ribellasca, the state border, and continuing on the cantonal road you reach the Swiss village of Camedo.
Attractions
The ancient Oratory of Sant’ Antonio di Padua (16th century frescoes), the majestic parish church (frescoes by Lorenzo Peretti), and the small Madonna del Sasso in Toceno. Craveggia: a true gem of art and faith, starting from the square with the parish church of Saints Giacomo and Cristoforo and the church of Santa Marta, called the "square of miracles" of Valle Vigezzo. Re: one of the most characteristic villages of Val Vigezzo, it is a real devotional centre of the valley, destination of pilgrimages to its majestic sanctuary devoted to the Virgin Mary.
Support points
Possibility of refreshment and accommodation in Vocogno, Craveggia, Villette, Re and Dissimo. In Camedo there is accommodation at Hotel Gruetli, or it is possible to go by train to any of the villages in Val Vigezzo for an overnight stay
Other information
Itinerary code: VME
Recommended period: April-November
Historical interest: Yes
Devotional interest: Yes
Access by public transport: Yes
Classification: Medium and low mountain provincial
Provinces crossed: Distretto dei Laghi
Notes on public transport
All departure and arrival locations are reachable by train with the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway line. www.vigezzina.com
Departure, arrival and municipalities crossed
Verbano-Cusio-Ossola see on map
Centovalli (Switzerland) see on map
Stages
- VIA DEL MERCATO Domodossola - Locarno (60,00 km)
- Via del Mercato: Stage 1 Masera - Santa Maria Maggiore (18,00 km)
- VIA DEL MERCATO Stage 2: Santa Maria Maggiore - Camedo (CH) (19,00 km)
- VIA DEL MERCATO Stage 3: Camedo (CH) - Intragna (CH) (12,00 km)
- VIA DEL MERCATO Stage 4: Intragna (CH) - Locarno (CH) (11,50 km)