Tour of Valvogna's Lakes – 3 Days

Download Valvogna Trip Dossiers and Pricing 

Description:  This itinerary visits one of the most picturesque valleys in Valsesia, the Vogna Valley.

The Vogna valley is a beautiful and interesting place both from a nature point of view and a cultural one (i.e. the ancient Walser traditions).  On this route you will be able to enjoy and admire three beautiful mountain lakes: Larecchio Lake, Balma Lake and Bianco Lake, you will also visit and spend the night on a typical Walser farm and enjoy the wonderful hospitality of the family that own it.

Itinerary:  Starting from Cà di Janzo(1354m), a small village in the valley, you will trek up through ancient Walser hamlets, looking at the fascinating and particular architecture of the old Walser houses. On the “art path” you will arrive at Alpe Larecchio(1900m) which over looks the lake of the same name set harmoniously in this beautiful alp, here you will visit a Walser farm.  Here you will enjoy traditional local dishes and sleep as guests of a shepherds family.  Next day, early in the morning, you can experience farm life with hand milking!  After breakfast you will head off in the direction of Colle Valdobbia(2480m), along the Via Regia the old trail connecting Valsesia to Valle d’Aosta, you will go on to reach Ospizio Sottile the highest pilgrim hospice in the Alps.  Nearby you will have a short visit to Balma Lake.  After a night at the hut,  your trail will bring you to Valdobbiola Pass(2636m) and then to Alpetto Pass(2774m) with a wonderful view of the Corno Bianco(3320m).  It’s now time to go down in the valley to Lago Bianco and then back to Cà di Janzo.

Difficulty: Excursion

First day: Cà di Janzo 1354m - Alpe Larecchio  1900m.(Alpe Larecchio farm)  

• Difference in level: 550m. (up)
• Time: 3 hrs.

Second day: Alpe Larecchio 1900m - Colle Valdobbia  2480m.(Ospizio Sottile hut)

• Difference in level: 600m. (up)
• Time: 2,30 hrs.

Third day: Colle Valdobbia 2480m -Passo Valdobbia 2635m -Passo dell’Alpetto 2774m -Cà di Janzo 1354m.

• Difference in level: 400m. (up), 1400m. (down)
• Time: 6 hrs.

Accommodation and food:  Every night’s accommodation is in a traditional mountain hut, so you will sleep in big rooms with bunk bed or in smaller rooms with 4-6 bunk beds (It depends on hut).  It is not possible to have single or double rooms.  Accommodation is on half board basis and you will need to bring your own sleeping sheet or sleeping bag liner.  It is possible to buy snacks for lunch at the hut.

Clothes and equipment:   Backpack (about 35 - 40lt), mountain walking boots, waterproof mountain jacket, rain-cover, sleeping bag liner, personal toiletries, towel, solar protection and sunglasses, hat, mid-layer mountain clothes, headtorch, water bottle, trekking poles, binoculars and camera.  Each person will carry his or her backpack with all the necessary equipment for the trekking – remember light is right!  So backpacks should not be packed too heavily.

Ideal time to go:  From late June to first week of September

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, it depends on hut’s availability).

What’s included:

• Personal qualified guide
• Accommodation - 4 nights
• Breakfast and Evening meals

Whats’ not included:

• Airport Transfer - you may wish to rent a car - Zuba Ski can arrange transfers
• Drinks & Pack lunches (these can be purchased in the Mountain Huts)
• Accommodation you may wish to book with Zuba Ski for before and after the actual trek
• Personal Travel Insurance