The heart of the Alpe Devero Natural Park offers unique emotions, thanks to its fascinating landscapes and views. This route is one of the most popular in Devero: the view from Monte Cazzola is one of the most fascinating views in the park, a 360° panorama of the peaks and pastures of Devero, the Cistella group and the Bondolero Valley. The ascent from the Buscagna Valley allows you to appreciate the true essence of the Alpe Devero Natural Park: unspoilt nature, pastures, meadows and peaks to frame the hiker’s slow journey enjoying the beauty of these places.
Description
From the Alpe Devero car parks, take the paved road that takes you up to the first huts and the oratory. From here, leaving the path that crosses the bridge, turn left onto the wide flat path that takes you to the Walser houses of the Devero plain, cross the river over the bridge and then continue to the village of Pedemonte. From here, take the H11 route which, after crossing the river again, begins to climb into the larch wood as far as the mountain huts of Misanco. Leave route H11a on the left, which leads to Monte Cazzola, and continue on the main route. After leaving the path to the right for the Black Lake, crossing the Curt dul Vel alpine pasture, you reach the junction for Scatta d’Orogna; turn left, staying on the H11 path. After passing the Buscagna Lakes you arrive at the pass of the same name and then the summit of Monte Cazzola. Here you must stop to admire the magnificent view from the top, the descent route is indicated by the initials H11a. Return to Alpe Misanco and from here back to your starting point, Alpe Devero.
Useful info
Italian Alpine Club (CAI) site identification code
Sector H “Itineraries” – IH15
Useful info
Domodossola FS International Railway Station (from Bern and Milan).
From the BUS terminal, take the Formazza Valley bus route, getting off in Baceno.
From Baceno, take the Prontobus (tel. +39 349 0796016) to Alpe Devero.
By car, drive straight to the (paid) car parks at Alpe Devero.
Contact details: Municipality of Baceno
Protected Areas of Ossola
CAI contact details: Formazza Section
Difficulty
Medium difficulty. The route is not particularly difficult, but you’ll need a minimum level of fitness and technical clothing suitable for the high mountain environment.
Lenght
11 km
Ascent
716 m
Total duration
4 hrs 15 min
Recommended equipment
Hiking boots and mountain clothing
Signage
H11 – H11a
Best time of year
From June to October
Reference map(s)
Map no. 9 scale 1:25,000 of the Geo4Map/CAI
Digital maps on the following apps: ViewRanger – Avenza Maps