what to visit

Cannobio and Cannobina Valley

There are numerous hamlets

that make up Cannobio.

The largest is Traffiume with its Orrido di S. Anna, separated from the main town by the Cannobino stream, which originates in the valley and flows into the lake.

Its origins can be traced back to pre-Roman times, but it was in the Middle Ages that Cannobio emerged onto the world stage. For the following centuries, it was under the authority of Milan, first with the Visconti family and later with the Borromeo family. It still maintains strong ties with the Lombard shore, despite belonging to the Piedmont region.

It is a place rich in history and art, where nature is the undisputed protagonist. Just think of the countless hiking opportunities in the mountains, boat trips, and the relaxation of a day by the lake…

Must-see attractions:

Lakeside promenade, Lido park, and the Docks
anctuary of the Holy Piety and the Holy Miracle, and Collegiate Church of San Vittore Carmine Superiore (accessible only on foot), and the 14th-century church of San Gottardo
Historic center and Parasi Palace (dated 1291), currently housing the tourist office
Traffiume and the Orrido di S. Anna (dated 1363)
Cycling path along the Cannobino stream
The Carlina Spring
The Sunday market

The Cannobina Valley, or Val Tupa in the local dialect, is a dark, rugged valley carved and eroded by the waters of the stream that runs through it for about 17 km. It is an imposing and wild valley, with steep and precipitous peaks, but it offers landscapes of indescribable beauty, a realm of untouched nature.

There are ten country that we encounter when traveling through it from Cannobio:

Socraggio: Altitude 485 meters above sea level, population 1, a small village that was historically used as a pasture.
Cavaglio: Altitude 501 meters above sea level, population 125, sunny and populous, it is reached by crossing a bridge about 100 meters high over the Cannobino stream.
Crealla: Altitude 627 meters above sea level, population 15, the lack of a carriage road until the 1990s allowed this small village to preserve traditions that have disappeared elsewhere. Today, you can still admire houses built using the dry stone technique, entirely made of stone with stone slate roofs.
Gurrone: Altitude 700 meters above sea level, population 10, a balcony overlooking the valley with a view of the lake.
Lunecco: Altitude 410 meters above sea level, population 10, the center of the valley and the starting point for visiting the other villages.
Spoccia: Altitude 800 meters above sea level, population 45, a village rich in springs that feed the numerous and elegant fountains.
Falmenta: Altitude 670 meters above sea level, population 150, the most populous village in the valley until the mid-20th century, located at the foot of Mount Zeda.
Gurro: Altitude 810 meters above sea level, population 252, with proven origins dating back to the 2nd century AD. It is also known for its alleged Scottish affinities. The ethnographic museum preserves and tells the daily history of the men and women of the valley.
Orasso: Altitude 703 meters above sea level, population 70, the oldest village in the valley. It is evidenced by the San Materno Parish Church, the Oratory of Sasso with its frescoes, and the washhouse.
Cursolo: Altitude 886 meters above sea level, population 40, welcoming and sunny, it offers evidence of the ancient mountain culture (the washhouse and the mill).

Each country in the valley has its own traditional costume, which women wear regularly and proudly. The villages in the valley are connected by the Borromea road, an ancient route now of significant importance as a hiking itinerary. The Cannobina has always connected Domodossola and the Vigezzo Valley with Lake Maggiore.