Geological walks in Val Cannobina

The Val Cannobina is an area of exceptional geological, scenic and environmental interest.
The lower intermediate continental crust is particularly evident in this area. It is therefore easy to observe rocks that are normally found at depths of between 15 and 35 km. There are at least three hiking trails of great geological interest, where the characteristics of the landscape – such as shapes, lines and colours – highlight the historical evolution of the rocks and the factors behind it, such as glaciation or river erosion.
A small geological museum dedicated to the Cannobina Valley has been set up in Gurro, along the second of the routes listed below.

ROUTE NO. 1: ORASSO – SPOCCIA

The route starts from the main square in the village of Orasso and follows the Rio Orasso valley. Once past the village of Orasso, situated on a typical moraine terrace, the route enters a dense forest of oaks, beeches and chestnut trees, which still reveals valuable traces of the ancient mountain culture (low stone walls, terraces, old overgrown meadows, tanks for processing hemp, and the remains of old rural dwellings). Within the stone walls, there are several more or less rounded, ochre-coloured rock blocks (peridotites). Along the route, the impact of the glaciers and the carving action of numerous torrential channels are evident; these descend from the southern slope of Mount Gridone, deeply eroding the terrain (for example, the Rio Gana gorge). In the first part of the route, it is possible to make geological observations of some typical outcrops: kinzigites and pegmatites. Then, after passing a small mountain pasture (Alpe Gheppio), the route descends to the village of Spoccia. Of particular interest along this stretch towards the village is the presence of numerous veins within some outcrops (appinites and milonites).
The route is easy, suitable for hikers; it involves an elevation gain of around 300 metres and, provided there is no snow, is accessible all year round.

ROUTE NO. 2: ORASSO – CURSOLO – GURRO – DAILA – PROVOLA

The route begins in the square in Orasso and heads towards Cursolo, following the course of the ancient trade route (12th century), later named the ‘Strada Borromea’ in memory of a pastoral visit by Cardinal Borromeo (Bishop of Milan) in 1574.
Along the way, structures and traces of human activity from the old mountain culture accompany the walker: a visit to the Oratorio del Sasso is recommended, a testament to popular piety, featuring some of the valley’s oldest frescoes, which have recently been restored.
Shortly before reaching Cursolo, after crossing a stream with interesting geomorphological features (Rio Eira) and immediately after an old mill, the path descends towards the hamlet of Airetta, and then down into the valley to cross the Cannobino stream via a small bridge (Ponte Teia), which spans one of the deepest and most striking gorges carved out by river erosion. Here, timber was once transported to Cannobio by log driving, that is, by floating the logs down the watercourse.
Rain-fed terraces, erratic boulders such as the Gurro boulder, and the remains of an old marble quarry catch the hiker’s eye.
Once past the village of Gurro, where the Valley’s geological museum is housed, you reach the small mountain pastures of Daila and Provola, situated on the ancient valley floor, where it is easy to recognise an ancient peat bog and ancient moraines, evidence of the glacier’s passage.
The route is suitable for hikers; it covers an elevation gain of approximately 440 metres and, provided there is no snow, is accessible all year round.

ROUTE NO. 3: ORASSO – MONTE TORRIGGIA

The climb up Mount Torriggia offers a splendid view of both the Vigezzo Valley and the Cannobina Valley, stretching as far as the Monte Rosa massif, as well as a panoramic view of the Sesia Val Grande Geopark area. Heading up from Orasso, starting from the village square and before reaching the hamlet of Monte Vecchio, you’ll come across an erratic boulder, which confirms the role of glaciers in shaping the area and where you can see some rock carvings. Note the frequent outcrops of a rock type typical of the area: kinzigites.
During the ascent, the view stretches beyond the valley towards Mount Zeda and the Gurro basin. Once past Monte Vecchio, you enter a dense beech forest before reaching the vicinity of the summit, where you can see rocky spires composed of gabbro. Finally, a steep ridge leads to the summit of Monte Torriggia, where a dense forest of ‘mountain pine’ grows abundantly and luxuriantly.
This hiking route, classified as of medium difficulty, has an elevation gain of 1,000 metres and is best undertaken between April and November.