Formazza Valley: cross-country skiing and trekking Paradise

filled by Giulia & Romeo

The Formazza Valley is considered one of the most important places of origin of the Italian cross-country skiing: three Swiss arrived in 1909 with the skis, from Airolo through the Passo San Giacomo. After this venture a carpenter, Guido Matli, started producing skis for the villagers. The pastor gave birth to a ski club and several excursions that have become historic.
Two of the most famous tracks are those of St. Michael and Riale, placed at different altitudes and with different features that can satisfy every need. The slope of St. Michael, at 1276 meters, leads to a path of 12 km from Fondovalle to Ponte. The Riale track, mt 1728 mt, has a total length of 10 km and it is considered quite technic. Both tracks are equipped with skiing centers and qualified teachers and instructors.
But let's see how to get there ...
Coming from Domodossola, after the winding valley we reach the plateau of Formazza (1200-1500). The are many suburbs on the right and left of the Toce river, including San Michele, where the is the skiing track we have now described. Further along the road by car you come to a famous scenic spot: making a jump of 143 meters, for a base width of 60 meters, here there are the Toce Falls, considered the most beautiful and impressive in Europe, which are the symbol internationally accepted of Formazza valley. They are open during the summer holidays and during the first 15 days of August. The falls are at the center of a spectacular natural amphitheater located between 1500 and 1675 meters of altitude. In the past it was the goal and object of admiration of many historical figures including Wagner, Queen Margherita of Savoy, Fogazzaro and Carducci, who were fascinated by its imposing majesty. "A beauty can not be overcome" was the comment of Richard Wagner.
Going by car over the Toce Falls there is a second plateau (1740) full of meadows. The town of Riale arose in that position because they felt safe from avalanche danger. Here, as in San Michele, you can have fun with cross-country skiing. Because Riale is a remote location, the night you can admire a magnificent starry sky…
For those who enjoy walking with snowshoes, from Riale continuing on the left you reach the dam Morasco, with its lake, and carry on foot, so as to exceed the 2500 level, the lake and the glacier Sabbione. Turning instead to the right you come to Castle Lake, the Rifugio Maria Luisa (2150), the Toggia Lake and Passo of san Giacomo.. (2313) where the road ends, there begins the Swiss and overlooks the valley Bedretto. The rocks of the mountains of Val Formazza offer a wide range of quartz to lovers of geology and mineral ....
And on the road to back home, late afternoon, a stop is a must, to the spa of Premia, with swimming pools and spas, which exploits the beneficial properties of a hot spring that flows at 42. ° Then there , drive back home, not far from the road you can not still be fascinated by the Parish of St. Gaudenzio in Baceno, called the pearl of the Alps… We'll talk about it in an upcoming weekend!