Show and Tell: Val Vigezzo, Piedmont

Even to this day Val Vigezzo, in the region of Piedmont, still feels like a dream. I’m not sure if the clouds overhead added to this surreal experience or the whirlwind visit which included a short hiked that brought us to little-known, picturesque towns in this area. But there is something mystical about this place that I can’t put my fingers on.

Situated on the border with Switzerland, Val Vigezzo “is a valley in the Lepontine Alps in northwestern Italy” and is called the Valley of the Painters as it has drawn many painters to the area. With only half a day here, we contacted Ossola Hiking to help us make the most of our limited time.

6 Favorite Photos of Val Vigezzo

1. We meet our guide Pia at Druogno and due to the less-than-favorable weather to be outdoors, we opted for a shorter hike. This view from our hike is etched into my memory and certainly one of the reasons why I feel that this area has a mystical feel.

2. The first town we stopped at Sagrogno is not even on any map. It was not only picturesque but we were told that only 2 residents live here in winter. In summer, families from nearby cities such as Milan and Brescia take refuge here from the sweltering heat. Apart from a few kids playing hide-and-seek there was little activity in town and you would think it was abandoned but the well-tended front doors contradicts this idea.

3. Albogno was our next stop and though home to many more residents than Sagrogno (not that difficult to have more than 2 residents), there was no one on the streets. The weather was probably to blame as it was the wettest summer the area has experienced in over 50 years. This is the only sign of life…

4. After the hike, we drove first to Craveggia and found a nonna curious as to what these visitors were doing in town. Probably because few visitors venture past the town of Santa Maria Maggiore.

5. We did eventually make it to Santa Maria Maggiore and it was bustling! The main piazza was jam-packed and it was clear this is the town we the crowds swarm to. We chose to leave the crowds and walk way past the center of the town where the crowds thin significantly.

6. While not part of Val Vigezzo, we stayed at B&B Borgo di Creggio in the nearby town on Trontano in Val d’Ossola, making it the perfect place to explore Val Vigezzo. We booked online and our questions were answered promptly by Daniela who was the most gracious host during our stay. Why the ape? We had to park our car at a lower level and the ape did the heavy lifting with bringing the bags up to the bed and breakfast.

We paid for guided tour and the bed and breakfast and would highly recommend them if you ever make your way to the area. Many thanks to Sarah from Stresa Travel for putting us in touch with Pia from Ossola Hiking.

Have you been to Val Vigezzo? If not, add it to your list and if so, share your experience with us in the comments below.

If you’ve been to Italy and would like to be part of “Show and Tell”, please contact us. We’ll be delighted to hear from you.