Ciclabile Balmuccia-Alagna

YELLOW SIGN - NUMBER 1 on a GREEN field PARKING - On Provincial Road 299 near Balmuccia, you'll find the yellow cycle path sign. Turn right and follow the yellow signs to reach the school parking lot, or, continuing downhill and passing through a small tunnel, to the Monrosa Canoeing and Rafting Center parking lot. From here, an interesting trail begins, which, once you've crossed the bridge over the Sesia River, advances along the mountainside with a picturesque view of the canyon below and, after overcoming some challenging climbs, reaches the highest bridge. to the north, which, once crossed, leads to the village of Scopetta, which can be reached by crossing the SP 299. From here, exit onto the provincial road for about 400 meters to join the Muro di Scopa cycle path and then, following the cycle path, at Scopa, cross it again. The provincial road and then return to the left bank of the Sesia River. until crossing the iron bridge. From here, you gain altitude with a challenging but pleasant elevation gain as you pass through chestnut woods and descend back to the hamlet of Chioso, reaching Scopello. A stretch of about 1 km on an asphalt road leads to the entrance of the wide path which, easily, leads to the end of the road. reaches Piode on the right bank of the Sesia River. From here, you reach the Ponte di Quare after passing through a larch forest. After 100 meters towards Rassa, on the right, take the asphalt road that descends to the plain and passes through wide meadows and farms with livestock for almost 2 km. Once you reach Campertogno, leave the Sesia River on your right and climb up the asphalt road to the pretty hamlet of Rusa. From here, you return on a forest path that leads to Ponte di Quare. At Mollia, continue on a moderate slope surrounded by lush vegetation until you reach Otra Sesia. From this point, take the recently built dirt road, which enters a spectacular and imposing larch forest. After a couple of challenging but short climbs, you reach the Isolello bridge, which, via a steep but wide ramp, allows you to reach the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Sesia, allowing you to return to the left orographic side of the Sesia. Continuing on a wide and easy dirt road, at times completely covered with grass, you reach the hamlet of Balma di Riva Valdobbia and from there continue without particular difficulties. up to the small bridge that, once crossed, takes us to the ring road where the indication on the left of the last yellow sign allows us to reach the center of Alagna, allowing us to admire the most suggestive views. For those who don't want to travel the entire 30 km of the route, there is the possibility of accessing the route in the following towns: Balmuccia (start) Scopa Scopello Piode Campertogno Mollia Riva Valdobbia Alagna (finish)  At these towns and you  Find the yellow cycle path sign directly on the SP 299 road. The distances of the individual sections average approximately 5 km. WE RECOMMEND THE USE OF A SAFETY HELMET FOR EVERYONE.

Attractions

Located at 1200 m above sea level along the Sesia river, at the foot of the South Face of Monte Rosa, Alagna is the last village in Valsesia and is part of the protected area of the Alta Valsesia Nature Park, the highest in Europe. Of ancient Walser origin, the population reached Alagna in Valsesia from Macugnaga around the XIII century, and even today the small village has preserved the periodic  architectural and structural characteristics. Riva Valdobbia is the only village in the valley from where you can enjoy a complete panorama of the Monte Rosa massif; the Parish Church has been proclaimed a national monument; the façade is entirely dominated by the extraordinary Last Judgment, frescoed in 1597 by Melchiorre d'Enrico. Campertogno is famous in Valsesian history for its carving schools and wooden sculptures,  the latter of which many are kept in the small museum of the Sacred Art Collection at the parish church of San Giacomo, one of the most beautiful churches in Valsesia. A gastronomic production of primary importance is due to the cheese factory of Piode whose cheeses, particularly Tome, which are known and appreciated everywhere. Scopello is the most important tourist center in the middle valley, thanks to the Mera ski facilities and the extra-hotel development. Balmuccia is located on the two sides of the Sermenza joined by a stone bridge. Precisely  from Balmuccia the view of Valsermenza opens up very slowly, also known as  Valpiccola. The parish church dedicated to Santa Margherita was built in the 17th century; the works inside attributed to Antonio Orgiazzi are well worth viewing. In the oratory of the hamlet Guaifola dedicated to Antonio Abate and Antonio da Padova are paintings by Avondo and works by Orgiazzi. A point of interest: the Fossil of Supervulcano of Valsesia is in an area that goes from the Municipality of Balmuccia to that of Prato Sesia, , unique in its kind and dating back almost 300 million years ago.  

Departure, arrival and municipalities crossed

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