TOURISM OFFICE
Ponte 4 - 28863 Formazza (VB)
Tel. +39 0324 63059
Email: prolocoformazza@gmail.com
OPENING HOURS
Tourist Office opening hours from September 1st to May 31st
Tuesday from 2:30 pm to 6 pm
Friday and Saturday from 10am to 12:30pm and from 2:30pm to 6pm
Sunday from 10 to 12:30
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ESCURSIONS BUT
The BUT Excursions are thematic walking routes designed to give you an in-depth understanding of the Val Formazza area.
FROM FORMAZZA
RIALE – BETTELMATT VALLEY
Day hike.
Elevation gain: 380 m
Difficulty: E
Time: 5 hours for the entire tour
Description: From Riale, we cross the village, where we can see the ancient larch houses dating back to the 1700s. We'll discuss the ancient history of the Walser people. We'll skirt Lake Morasco and ascend the valley to the Bettelmatt mountain pasture, where we'll meet the shepherds who will explain how cheese is made.
RIALE – CASTEL – BODEN LAKES – GESSO ROCK – ALPE REGINA – SAN GIACOMO PASS
Day hike.
Elevation gain: 703 m
Time: Full day, returning in the late afternoon.
Difficulty: E
Description: From the Riale plain at 1,730 m, we ascend the last glacial step to the Toggia Valley and Lake Castel at 2,210 m. We continue through the wide valley to the picturesque Boden Lakes below the Valmaggia Pass. From here, we ascend to the Rupe del Gesso, a characteristic and rare limestone formation in the valley. We descend towards the Regina Alp, where we can observe and meet the mountain farmers who produce the famous Bettelmatt cheese. The return journey takes us over the San Giacomo Pass, the historic crossing of the Formazzini submariners towards the Gotthard Pass.
RIALE – SAN GIACOMO PASS – CORNO PASS – GRIES PASS – ALPE BETTELMATT – RIALE
Day hike.
Maximum elevation gain: 728 m
Time: Full day, returning in the late afternoon.
Difficulty: E
Description: From Riale, we ascend the Toggia Valley to the San Giacomo Pass, where we enter Switzerland to reach the Capanna del Corno in the Bedretto Valley, with a sweeping view of the St. Gotthard Massif, the peaks of the Canton of Uri, and the Nufenen Pass. Once we reach the Corno Pass, set in an Alpine landscape of rare beauty, we quickly reach the legendary Gries Pass, one of the most important historic Alpine routes, used for centuries by the Formazzini submariners traveling to Lucerne through the Hasli Valley. The descent into the Bettelmatt Valley takes us to the Bettelmatt mountain pasture, where the rare and precious cheese is produced. The return to Riale follows the shores of Lake Morasco.
RIALE – CITY OF BUSTO REFUGE – CLAUDIO BRUNO REFUGE – REFUGE 3A
Day hike.
Elevation gain: 1,230 m
Difficulty: EE (for length)
Description: From Riale, following Lake Morasco, we ascend the valley to Bettelmatt, where we'll visit the famous mountain pasture. The climb continues to the Città di Busto refuge (2,480 m). We continue across the Camosci plain to reach the ramparts of the Sabbioni dam, where we'll discuss the valley's hydroelectric power plant. We continue to the Claudio & Bruno refuge, managed by the "Mato Grosso" operation. The final climb takes us to the eagle's nest of refuge 3A (2,960 m). The descent takes us across the Siedel snowfield to return to Città di Busto and Riale.
CANZA FORMAZZA – VANNINO – DEVERO – VALLEY MOUTH – PONTE
2-day hike.
Day 1
Elevation gain: 1,180 m
Difficulty: E
Overnight stay in Devero
Day 2
Elevation gain: 943 m
Difficulty: E
Description: A beautiful hike across two important Alpine passes, the "Scatta Minoia" and the Bocchetta della Valle. We'll pass through two mountain pastures where Bettelmatt cheese is produced, Alpe Vannino and Alpe Forno. We'll also visit the Crampiolo dairy and the Alpine Pasture Museum in Devero.
CANZA FORMAZZA – VANNINO - DEVERO – VANNINO – NEFELGIU PASS – RIALE
3-day hike.
Day 1
Elevation gain: 1,180 m
Difficulty: E
Overnight stay in Devero
Day 2
Elevation gain: 943 m
Difficulty: E
Overnight stay at the Margaroli al Vannino refuge
Day 3
Arrival in Riale in the afternoon
Elevation gain: 398 m
Difficulty: E
Description: A three-day hike that includes three passes, all above 2,500 m, including a visit to the Bettelmatt mountain pastures, Alpe Forno just below Scatta Minoia, the Olzeri dairy in Crampiolo, and Alpe Vannino.
COMPLETE TOUR OF THE “BUT”
5-day excursion.
Day 1
Meeting and departure: Canza hamlet, 1,419 m
Elevation gain: 1,180 m
Difficulty: E
Overnight stay in Devero
Day 2
Departure from Devero at 8:00 am
Elevation gain: 943 m
Difficulty: E
Overnight stay at the Margaroli al Vannino refuge
Day 3
Departure from Vannino at 9:00 am
Arrival in Riale in the afternoon
Elevation gain: 398 m
Difficulty: E
Overnight stay in Riale
Day 4
Departure from Riale at 8:00 am
Arrival at the Città di Busto refuge in the late afternoon
Elevation gain: 1,340 m
Difficulty: E
Overnight stay at the Città di Busto refuge
Day 5
Departure from the Città di Busto refuge at 8:00 am
Arrival in Riale in the afternoon
Elevation gain: 496 m ascent – 1,260 m descent
Difficulty: E
Description: With this hike, we want to offer the opportunity to hike the entire "But" route, not running but at a hiker's pace, to experience all the beauty and nuances that the highlands of Formazza and Devero offer in summer. We'll visit the various mountain pastures that produce Bettelmatt, all enriched by explanations about the pristine nature of the mountains and their rich history.
FROM DEVERO
TOUR OF THE DEVERO'S LAKE
Elevation gain: 250 meters
Difficulty: T
Description: Lake Codelago, or more commonly Lake Devero, is a true gem nestled among the mountains. Walking along its easy trail, full of ups and downs and breathtaking views, you can easily immerse yourself in its nature, which increasingly recalls the vast spaces of Northern Europe.
Suitable for everyone, including families with children.
VAL BUSCAGNA BLACK LAKE 1974MT
Elevation gain: 400 meters
Difficulty: T
Description: Easy hike, suitable for everyone, towards the wonderful Buscagna Valley and its small, dark-water lake, populated by newts and goblins.
TOUR OF THE GRANDE EST ALPINE PASTURES
Elevation gain: 600 meters
Difficulty: E
Duration: 6-7 hours
Description: Taking the Grande Est Tour and visiting the mountain pastures scattered across the vast plateau is one of the greatest rewards a trekking enthusiast can experience during a vacation in the Antigorio and Formazza valleys. The long route, over 2,000 meters high, connects the renowned Forno and Sangiatto mountain pastures, producers of the famous Bettelmatt cheese.
TOUR OF VALDESERTA
Elevation gain: 950 meters
Difficulty: EE
Duration: 6 hours
Description: The Valdeserta tour, suitable for fit and experienced hikers, allows you to get up close to the mountain giants that dominate the Devero plain. Mount Rossa and Pizzo Crampiolo, with their rugged, reddish rocks, dominate our route from above, inspiring respect and piquing the curiosity of even the most demanding hiker. The return journey through the rocky, barren Valdeserta and the subsequent view of Lake Devero make this excursion unique.
TOUR IN THE BINN VALLEY (CH)
Two-Day Trek
Day 1: Ascent to the Bocchetta d'Arbola and descent to Binn
Elevation gain: 800 meters, ascent: 1,000 meters, descent:
Difficulty: E
Day 2: Ascent to the Passo della Rossa
Elevation gain: 1,100 meters, ascent: 850 meters, descent:
Difficulty: E/EE
Description: This trek follows the Via dell'Arbola, the ancient path that connects the Ossola Valley to the Swiss Goms Valley. It passes through the high Forno meadows, the Bocchetta d'Arbola, and with a good pace, reaches the charming Walser village of Binn at the end of the day. This stage allows you to appreciate the local cuisine and traditions and recharge for the return to Italy scheduled for the second day. Returning to Devero via the Scalatta della Rossa is a thrilling experience due to the breathtaking views encountered during the ascent. A true trail for connoisseurs.
LA VEIA DI SQUETAR
Downhill route from Alpe Devero to Cravegna
Elevation gain: 900 meters
Difficulty: E
Duration: 5 hours
Description: An excellent trail for returning to the valley after enjoying the beauty of Devero. The long descent along this historic route allows us to immerse ourselves in the dense fir forests of Esigo, as well as the legends of witches that have always inhabited the area.