Moving to the north of Piedmont brings you to Valsesia, always different, always captivating. From the perennial snows to the hills of Nebbioli, Valle del Sesia simply charms all those who visit it. A paradise for sport, culture and nature, just a stone’s throw from the major cities: from the pistes of Monterosa Ski to the artistic marvels of Varallo, capital of religious architecture; from the delightful villages along the Sermenza and Mastallone to the rushing waters of the Sesia, a great favourite with rafting, canoeing and kayak enthusiasts; from the art of fake marble to the tradition of the scapin, warm slippers in fabric material.
An Alpine zone of international renown, with a surprisingly large artistic heritage, superlative craftwork and tastes and flavours absolutely not to be missed.
Downhill, cross-country skiing, free ride, alpine skiing, telemark among the peaks of Mount Rosa. Thanks to the connection with the Valle d’Aosta, completed in the 2004-2005 winter season, Valsesia makes one of Europe’s greatest skiing areas fully available to enthusiasts.
From Alagna Valsesia (1,212 m), thanks to the super modern Pianalunga – Passo dei Salati Gressoney connection, all those who love snow can spend their days skiing for tens of kilometres, without ever repeating the same piste, returning to base in the evening, where they can spend their nights, and the whole of their holiday, amid a picture book Walser setting. The alagnese slopes, in addition to the mythical Balma “black” piste, offers medium-high difficulty courses, and spectacular off-piste routes.
For those who are still learning to consolidate their skiing skills, the Wold pistes, with artificial snow, offer a facility with all the services needed for a splendid day of sport and relaxation.
For those who do not ski, Alagna offers a splendid glimpse of Walser culture, a German-speaking population which settled in the Alta Valle during the medieval period: their characteristic houses, in wood and stone, and the Walser Museum of Pedemonte, all deserve a visit, as does the Parish Church of San Michele at Riva Valdobbia, a national monument.
At Riva, the "Marmotta Rosa" equipped facilities for Nordic skiing offer 10 km of pistes: competition routes, rings for beginners, and a route for experts full of changes in pace. For lovers of cross-country, the Valle also makes it possible to explore the high Pianalunga route to Alagna and the Scopello ring, at the feet of the historic skiing station of Alpe di Mera, in the middle valley, just a half hour from Alagna.
Facing the Valle del Sesia and Rosa, the panoramic pistes of Mera stretch out over gentle ridges and are suitable for everyone, children and beginners included. With skis, it is possible to reach every point of the Mountain, with hotels, restaurants and shops: a true atout, making the resort unique. Mera is currently experiencing a kind of rebirth: in view of the 2006 Winter Olympics, all its facilities are being renewed, with the construction of three new skilifts and the provision of a powerful programmed snow facility.
Due to its orographic features, the large volume of water flowing through it, and the beauty of the surrounding countryside, the River Sesia and its affluents are famous worldwide among canoeing and kayak enthusiasts. There are more than a hundred kilometres of water to enjoy, with various degrees of difficulty, from the easier section of river to more demanding and extreme sections.
Efficient and well organised too, are the canoeing schools, where it is also possible to learn kayak techniques as well as those for hydrospeed, rafting, tubing and canyoning.
There are numerous routes down the river, starting from the higher section of the Sesia, with thrilling courses through the Sermenza, Egua, Mastallone, Landwasser, Vogna, Gronda, Sorba, Strona di Postua and Sessera torrents.
The hydrographic basin of the River Sesia, one of the most varied and picturesque in the Alps, also offers, for even the most demanding sportsman or woman, excellent fishing e.g. speckled trout, alpine grayling and many others. The varied character of this basin makes it possible to choose between a host of techniques: from float fishing with natural bait to spinning with artificial lures.
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