Valle Vigezzo - Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta Travel Guide

The Valle Vigezzo is a broad high valley at an altitude of about 700-800 m, running from the Swiss-Italian border along the Melezzo river to the Val d'Ossola.


The valley is enclosed by two wooded mountain ranges rising above 2,000 m. It offers extensive hiking opportunities and, in winter, plenty of winter sports.


The history of the Valle Vigezzo goes back to Roman times. The migration period brought poverty and destruction to the valley. In the 15th century the area was contested between Switzerland and the ruling families of northern Italy, until in the middle of that century it finally passed to the Borromeo family, whose governors resided in Santa Maria Maggiore in the middle of the valley.

With about 6,000-7,000 inhabitants (often several times that number in summer), the Valle Vigezzo was drained for centuries by poverty and emigration. First came the chimney-sweep boys sent to Milan, dock workers and itinerant traders, later smugglers, building workers and craftsmen, and today many cross-border commuters to Switzerland earn the family living.

From Locarno, through the Centovalli, you first reach Re (710 m), the well-known place of pilgrimage, which is completely dominated by the huge pilgrimage church "Santuario della Madonna di Re".

It all began with the miracle of 29 April 1494. A stone struck the forehead of a picture of the Virgin in front of the local chapel, and as blood poured over the image of Mary and the Christ Child, miraculous healings took place among the people who rushed to the spot. A small pilgrimage church was built first, and in 1894 work began on a vast new church in the Historicist style, which was completed and consecrated in 1958.

Opinions on this huge "neo-Byzantine" domed building may differ, but hardly any visitor can escape the fascination of this mighty church and its interior.

At Malesco, the road over the Val Cannobina to Cannobio on Lake Maggiore branches off. After a few kilometres you reach Santa Maria Maggiore, the main town of the Valle Vigezzo.

The Museo dello Spazzacamino shows the living and working conditions of the boys who, in the 19th century, were also sold from the Valle Vigezzo to Milan as chimney sweeps.

Another three kilometres on is the village of Druogno, where numerous old stone-roofed houses can still be found. The Valle Vigezzo is a holiday region much loved by Italians. In summer, the fresh air and agreeable climate create ideal conditions for restful holidays and long walks and hikes.

Mountain tours are also possible in the nearby mountains. In winter there are fewer visitors, but winter sports are possible, ice rinks are prepared and there are also ski lifts and downhill runs in the nearby mountains.

The Valle Vigezzo is a very child-friendly holiday area without too much traffic.

From Locarno (196 m) (270 m), the Centovalli railway runs first through the Centovalli and then through the Valle Vigezzo to Domodossola. The Centovalli railway is a narrow-gauge line with an incomparable route over high bridges and through many tunnels, climbing to over 800 m, crossing the Valle Vigezzo and descending to Domodossola. An interesting option is a round trip from Locarno on the Centovalli railway to Domodossola, then on the Italian State Railways to Stresa and back across Lake Maggiore by boat to Locarno. You can start this circular tour at any point and break the journey as often as you like. The main places in the Valle Vigezzo all lie on the railway line, making Locarno and Domodossola easy to reach.

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