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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© 2025 by Pro Loco Formazza
HAMLET
OUR HAMLETS
Formazza is a unique municipality, composed of several hamlets nestled in a breathtaking Alpine landscape. Each village tells a story of Walser traditions, typical architecture, and a deep connection to the mountains. From Fondovalle to the picturesque Riale, the hamlets offer authentic views, welcoming refuges, and ideal starting points for exploring the area. Discover the charm of each village and let yourself be captivated by the true soul of Formazza.
Foppiano (Undrum Stalda) - 900-950m
Foppiano, also known as Unter Stald or Unnerum Schtaldä in Walser, is the first hamlet in the Formazza Valley and is inhabited year-round. The village extends mainly below the main road, maintaining its authentic atmosphere intact.
Here you'll find characteristic wooden buildings and the oratory dedicated to Saint John, a testament to the local community's profound spirituality and tradition. A place that welcomes visitors with the simple, authentic charm of the mountains.
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Antillone (Puneiga) 1180-1200m
This charming hamlet, no longer permanently inhabited, is a true gem hidden in the woods. To reach it, follow a picturesque trail immersed in nature, amidst colors and scents that change with the seasons. It's an ideal destination for hikers and a gateway to the mountain pastures of Vova and Salecchio, an ancient Walser settlement divided into two parts: Lower and Upper Salecchio.
The Sanctuary of the Visitation, the spiritual heart of the community, hosts annual Formazzini processions: in spring, to pray for a good harvest and protection from adverse weather, and in autumn, to give thanks for the fruits received. Inside, the walls tell stories from times gone by, with inscriptions left by wayfarers since the 1600s. A book on the latest restoration work, completed in 2021, has also been published. A place suspended between history, faith, and nature, waiting to be discovered.
Fondovalle (Schtafulwald) - 1220-1240m
Il nome walser di Fondovalle richiama le sue origini, significando corte per il bestiame circondata dal bosco o bosco del recinto. Questo è il primo borgo che si incontra uscendo dalla galleria, adagiato su una pianura che si affaccia sul suggestivo dirupo delle casse.
Diviso in due parti, fracchie sulla destra orografica e l’altro agglomerato oltre il ponte sulla sinistra, Fondovalle accoglie i visitatori subito dopo l’uscita dalla celebre galleria delle casse, lunga 3 km. Qui lo scenario si apre su una valle spettacolare, con il monte Talli a fare da guardiano silenzioso.
Un tempo costruito interamente in legno, il villaggio fu raso al suolo da un’immensa valanga nel 1863. Quell’Epifania passò alla storia per una nevicata senza precedenti: la neve cadde ininterrottamente per quattro giorni, raggiungendo i quattro metri di altezza. Oggi, ricostruito in muratura, Fondovalle continua a raccontare la sua storia tra natura selvaggia e resilienza.
Chiesa - 1270-1280m
Nestled among green meadows, hence its original name in der mattu (morning), Chiesa is the seat of the Parish of Formazza. This small village develops around the evocative parish church of Saints Bernardo and Carlo, a focal point for the local community.
It also houses the ancient Walser cemetery, a place of great historical and symbolic value, characterized by its simple wooden crosses, all identical, testifying to the profound spirituality and equality in the memory of the deceased. A corner of Formazza where faith, tradition, and history meet in a timeless atmosphere.
San Michele (Tuffald) - 1250-1270m
The Walser name of this hamlet means "deep forest," a reference to the dense forests that once surrounded it, devastated by a great fire in 1765. Today, the village is a hub for cross-country skiing enthusiasts, thanks to its Cross-Country Ski Center and the 12-km loop that crosses the valley, connecting Ponte to Fondovalle.
The town also boasts a precious religious heritage, with the Church of San Michele and the Church of Santa Lucia, built in 1663 and restored in 1984. A place where nature, sport, and tradition meet, offering an authentic experience in the heart of the Formazza Valley.
Valdo (Wald) - 1270-1280m
Valdo, whose Walser name means forest, maintains a deep connection with nature and the history of the Formazza Valley. Once the seat of the municipality, it is also remembered for the important hydroelectric plant built in the 1920s, which, with its 11,000 kW, contributed to the valley's energy development.
Today Valdo is a point of reference for those who love snow:
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Valdo 1 ski lift, with a blue slope perfect for beginners and easy descents.
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Formazza Ski School, with qualified instructors for individual and group lessons.
Welcoming and well-equipped, Valdo offers everything you need to begin your snow adventure, immersed in Walser heritage and Alpine landscapes that also tell the story of high-altitude hydroelectricity.
Ponte (Zumschtäg) - 1280-1290m
Ponte, home to the town hall and recognizable by the historic bridge over the Toce River, is the heart of the Formazza Valley: full of services, accommodations, restaurants, and shops. Here, Walser culture is particularly alive thanks to the multi-grade school, where children still learn Titsch, the ancient local dialect.
In summer, Ponte is an excellent starting point for numerous hikes that branch out throughout the valley.
The historical heritage is represented by the Casa Forte (14th century), now a Walser museum, and the oratory of Santa Caterina (1661), precious testimonies of the history and faith of the community.
Ponte is the place where nature, modern services and Walser tradition meet, making it an ideal base for exploring the Formazza Valley.
Brendo (In Dä Brendu) - 1300-1320m
(in the forest razed by fire)
This little Alpine gem nestles around the little church of Madonna del Carmine, creating a secluded and authentic atmosphere. From here, the valley narrows and the landscape steepens, offering spectacular views.
A short distance away is the Giacinto Motta Hydroelectric Power Plant, an impressive feat of engineering that harnesses the waters of the Morasco, Vannino, Sruer, Toggia, and Kastel hydroelectric reservoirs to generate electricity. A meeting point between tradition and innovation, where the power of nature becomes a precious resource.
Grovella (Gurfalu) - 1220-1240m
(boulder area)
Grovella is a charming gateway to the most authentic Formazza Valley. Crossed by the main road, it maintains its historic role as a place of passage and welcome, preserving the charm of Walser culture intact.
The typical wooden Walser houses, with slate roofs and blockbau architecture, overlook lush meadows, creating a harmonious landscape where nature and tradition coexist.
Walking through Grovella means breathing in the atmosphere of times gone by and discovering the legacy of a people who live in symbiosis with the Alpine environment. An ideal place for those seeking tranquility, authenticity, and connection with tradition.
Canza (Früduwald) - 1400-1450m
(Fall's Wood)
Canza is a village rich in history and charm. Surrounded by a stunning mountain landscape, the town still preserves numerous ancient larch dwellings, a legacy of the Walser settlement.
In 1951, a tragic avalanche struck the village, leaving an indelible mark on the community. Among its residents, Canza boasts Emilio Valci, a cross-country skiing champion in the 1950s, and Enrico Rizzi, a renowned scholar and author of essays on Walser culture. A place where nature and history intertwine, preserving a precious heritage waiting to be discovered.
Sotto Frua (Unter Der Frütt) - 1650-1710m
This hamlet owes its name to its privileged location, directly beneath the spectacular Toce waterfall. Nestled in a unique natural setting, it is home to a charming little church and two large buildings used primarily by the Salesians of Arese, who welcome numerous young people for summer gatherings and training sessions.
A place of peace and sharing, where the power of nature combines with community spirit.
Frua (Uf Der Frütt) - 1650-1710m
Frua is one of the most iconic towns in the Formazza Valley, thanks to the spectacular Toce waterfall, which drops 143 meters here: an intense experience of roar, freshness, and pure wonder.
In winter, the area transforms into a quiet and picturesque spot, ideal for snowshoeing or as a base for reaching the Riale cross-country ski trails. The historic Cascata del Toce restaurant, directly overlooking the waterfall, showcases Frua's long tradition of hospitality.
Here, the power of the water and the imposing mountains create a unique atmosphere, making Frua a true symbol of the Formazza Valley.
Riale (Charbäch) - 1720-1740m
Riale, the northernmost hamlet of Piedmont at 1730 m, retains the authentic charm of the first Walser settlements, founded by colonists from Valais.
An ideal destination for cross-country skiing, hiking, and vacationing, it offers a 12 km trail covered in snow for six months of the year and numerous trails leading to mountain huts. It is also home to the renowned Bettelmatt cheese.
With hotels, B&Bs, a refuge, and a bar, Riale is the perfect starting point for experiencing the high mountains, combining nature and tradition.