Vogogna–Premosello Geological Trail

THE PATH IS PARTIALLY CLOSED TO PEDESTRIANS DUE TO A LANDSLIDE (ORDINANCE ISSUED BY THE MUNICIPALITY OF VOGOGNAAVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS)

The geological trail between Vogogna and Premosello Chiovenda is a route equipped with information panels that effectively takes you through the continental crust, allowing you to observe rocks formed at different depths and during different periods: a journey through space and time into the depths of the Earth. The route is straightforward and clearly marked, though it does include a few exposed sections.

It starts at Vogogna Castle, climbs towards the Rocca, and then continues along the rocky cliffs overlooking the Toce plain as far as Premosello. During the walk, you pass from the European palaeocontinent, which was involved in the formation of the Alps (50–30 million years ago), to the African palaeocontinent, which preserves rocks and structures formed around 300 million years ago. In the westernmost section, you can see how the rocks have been deformed by friction along the ‘Canavese Line’ (which forms part of the fault system known as the ‘Insubric Line’) until you even reach rocks that once belonged to the Earth’s mantle – normally situated at a depth of 30–35 km – and which have been brought to the surface here by tectonic processes. Along the route, you may come across another interesting feature: pseudotachylites, rocks that bear witness to ancient earthquakes.

A viewing point overlooking the valley below, on the other hand, offers a view of the landscape, where the shapes carved out by the vast glaciers of the past are clearly visible.

Information material: Video ‘The Vogogna Geological Trail’
Link: Geological Trail | Val Grande National Park