Highlights and tour details
From the car park at the Crevoladossola- Montecrestese exit of the SS 33 (near Lake Tana), follow the wide path along the wide embankment of the lake until you reach a wooden bridge that you ignore to continue straight on until you arrive below the overpass Turn slightly to the right and then take the flat asphalt road to Roledo on the left. Shortly after, at Agriturismo AZ in Piaggino, take the asphalt road on the right which climbs steeply up to the first hairpin bend. The beautiful mule track of Valle dei Cani begins here and gradually climbs up to the hamlet of Lomese. After passing through the small hamlet, which has wonderful examples of traditional stone architecture, follow the carriage road to the hamlet of Chezzo. At the beginning of the hamlet, you take a dirt track that you follow for a short stretch before almost immediately taking the well-preserved mule track on the right that crosses the dirt track again at a small chapel. From here, the well-preserved mule track made of cyclopean stone-slabs, continues along the hillside to reach the small village of Pontemaglio, where you come across the Via del Gries - Via Sbrinz coming from Crevoladossola at the oratory.
Attractions
Parish Church of Montecrestese, megalithic structures of Castelluccio and Croppola, mule track of the Valle dei Cani, traditional stone architecture, products of rural culture (presses, ovens, wash houses, water wells). The bell tower of Montecrestese, the highest in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, has a unique trait. What we see rising up towards the sky is the external shell added to the Romanesque bell tower in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Romanesque bell tower was not destroyed but is preserved inside up to the height of the ancient bell chamber. The stone staircase that leads to the top of the new bell tower develops between the internal walls of this and the external walls of the Romanesque bell tower on which it rests.
Support points
B&B at Piaggino and Pontemaglio. Restaurants and bars at Pontetto di Montecrestese
Access
A26 motorway in the direction of Gravellona Toce, from here SS33 del Sempione, go past Domodossola, exit Crevoladossola-Montecrestese
Other information
Source: Unione Montana Alta Ossola
Itinerary code: VSB
Phone coverage: Good
Recommended period: All year round
Historical interest: Yes
Access by public transport: Yes
Classification: Medium and low mountain provincial
Provinces crossed: Distretto dei Laghi
Notes on public transport
Departure, arrival and municipalities crossed
Montecrestese
28864 Montecrestese (VB)
Verbano-Cusio-Ossola see on map
Stages
- Via dello Sbrinz - Via del Gries (61,00 km)
- Via dello Sbrinz - Via del Gries Variant Stage 1A: Montecrestese - Pontemaglio (5,00 km)
- Via dello Sbrinz - Via del Gries Stage 1: Crevoladossola - Baceno (15,00 km)
- Via dello Sbrinz - Via del Gries Stage 2: Baceno - Ponte (20,00 km)
- Via dello Sbrinz - Via del Gries Stage 3: Ponte - Riale (6,70 km)
- Via dello Sbrinz - Via del Gries Stage 4: Riale - Ulrichen (CH) (19,30 km)