Between Mountain and Lake - Alp Pizzo and Walser Trail – 5 Days  

DAYS 1,2 & 3  Technical data:

• Start location:  Valmaggiore (600 m. Quarona’s hamlet)
• Total distance: 22 km.(1st day), 23 km.(2nd day), 25 km.(3rd day)
• Ascent / Descent:
• 1st day: 1000 m.(up)
• 2nd day 1000 m.(down)
• 3rd  day 750 m.(up) more 500 m. (down)
• Highest altitude point:  Sacchi Alp 1332 m.
• Surface of route: Asphalt 50%, Gravel 50%, Path 10%
• Grade of difficulty:  Quite hard
• Average cycle time: 4 hours 1st day, 3 hours 2nd day, 6-7 hours 3rd day.
• Cycling track: 95%
• Cartography: Kompass 97 Omegna-Varallo-Lago D’Orta 1:50000

Overview:  During this three day mountain bike adventure you will have two nights accommodation set among this wonderful mountainous and lake covered region.  You will spend one night at the Alpe Sacchi farm.  Here you will be able to enjoy the taste of traditional home cooking and the silence of this peaceful location.   The nocturnal show the night skies give at this charming location can be amazing.  The second night you will spend on the shores Orta Lake.

1st day:  The starting point is from a small village surrounded by woods, Valmaggiore, your cycle climb up is towards the ancient mule track leading to S.Agostino Lake.  On route you guide will tell you about the ancient and mysterious stories of this unusual and slightly strange place! Once you have reached Roccapietra village you will continue on the road that, with a long climb, arrives at Alpe Sacchi, your destination.   Here you can relax in the green meadows and enjoy the views over Orta Lake.  Here you are also able to observe traditional alp life, the local people, cattle pasturing on rich meadow grass and you will be able to taste the typical local handmade.  Dinner and your overnight stay will be with the friendly family who own and work the farm.  Before you go to sleep you will be able to admire the wonderful nocturnal ambience and listen to the silence of this peaceful place.

2nd day:  This stage is a little bit less tiring than others.   It will involve a long descent on graveled roads and paths.  From Alpe Sacchi you will reach Alpe Ranghetto where it is possible to admire splendid views of the Monte Rosa (4634 m.).  From here your descent will take you down through beautiful woods and between the remarkable scenery of the lake and the amusing pathways lead you on until the little Nonio lakes.  Now on the asphalt road you will descend to meet the shores of Orta Lake.  From Pella you will take the ferry to Orta S.Giulio, your second destination.   You will be able to visit the historical site of Orta S.Giulio or go diving in the lake and relax on its shores.  Dinner and overnight accommodation will be in Orta.

3rd day:  From Orta  you will take the ferry again back to Pella.   Here you will start the mountain bike climb up to Madonna del Sasso where you will stop for a break and to admire the splendid view over the Lake, the little villages and the surrounding mountains.  We you set off from here you will be cycling through beautiful woods where you will find the incredible path ways leading to Piana dei Monti.  From here you will pass through the little villages so characterisic of the area and where it is possible you can stop to taste the typical regional produce.  For example handmade Cellio’s cookies and the handmade beer called “Valle Cellio”.  The beer is made in a small and very unusual beer house where you will stop to taste the different types of beers, which are made from rice, chestnut and are ale or lager. (for those who wish you will be able swap your water bottle for some bottles of beer !).  Luckily you will find your final destination is not too far away, so after this enjoyable stop, you will have nothing more to face other than the last track down through the woods down and back to Valmaggiore.

ALPE PIZZO AND WALSER TRAIL – DAYS 4 & 5

4th day:  You go to Meggiana Alp and Pizzo Alp by mountain bike to see a wonderful views of Monte Rosa!

Technical data:

• Starting location:  Piode
• Total distance;  22km
• Ascent / Descent:  850m.
• Surface of route:  Asphalt 50%, Path 50%
• Grade of difficulty: Descent can be slightly technical but you can decide to go down on the asphalt road.  
• Cycling track: 95%

In the late afternoon you descend to Alagna where you will sleep at the hotel Montagna di Luce or Zimmer Casa Prati on a B&B basis, both provide comfortable accommodation and excellent hospitality as well as being beautiful examples of traditional Walser architecture.

5th day:

This will be enjoyable mountain biking through Walser villages with visits to; Acqua Bianca falls, Alpe Pile and Alpe Bors so you can see the Monte Rosa glaciers.  Towards the end of the day you will cycle from Alpe Bors to the Vogna Valley as far as the Peccia Hamlet, from here you will return to Alagna.  This is a slightly more strenuous day but without doubt a very enjoyable and rewarding one.  

Alagna-Alpe Pile - Technical data:

• Starting location:  Alagna
• Total disctance:  6km up and 6km down
• Ascent / Descent:  400m.
• Surface of route:  Asphalt 50%, Path 50%
• Grade of difficulty: slightly hard  
• Cycling track: 90%

Alagna-Peccia hamlet - Technical data:

• Starting location:  Alagna
• Total distance:  14.5km
• Ascent / Descent:  500m.
• Surface of route:  Asphalt 60%, Path 40%
• Grade of difficulty:  Slightly hard  
• Cycling track: 95%

Note:

• Each person will need to bring with them food for your lunch meals for 5 days (It is possible to buy pack lunches at Alpe Sacchi, Orta village and Alagna village).
• Luggage will be delivered from the starting place to the farm and the various B&B accommodation and from here to the final destination.

Clothes and equipment:  Mountain biking clothes (1 x short and 1 x long sleeved top), cycle helmet, light wind jacket, sun lotion and sunglasses, snacks and something for lunch, water bottle, camera, overnight toiletries, light weight change of clothes for evening.

Ideal time to go:  From April to October

Bookings & reservations:  Normally for these Zuba trips reservations and payments must be made at least one month before the start date of the trek.  (It may possible to add some people to your trip after the reservation).

What’s included:  Personal qualified local English speaking guide

Whats’ not included:  

• Airport Transfer - you may wish to rent a car - Zuba Ski can arrange transfers
• Drinks & Pack lunches
• Accommodation you may wish to book with Zuba Ski for before and after the actual tour
• Evening meals in the village of Alagna – There are a choice of restaurant available
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Mountain bike hire – Please advise Zuba Ski if you would like to rent a mountain bike, as this can be arranged for you at an extra cost  

Notes:  The itinerary could change at the guide’s discretion.