Alpe Devero

The Alpe Devero is a picturesque plateau at 1600 meters of altitude in the Piedmontese Alps, in a branch of the Val d'Ossola. From here there are many paths and above all some beautiful snowshoeers towards ponds, fairy-tale villages and imposing peaks. In fact, at Alpe Devero the snow is often abundant and this makes this area a paradise for those who love winter trekking with snowshoes at the feet.

Already the arrival in the village is beautiful. The cars, in fact, are left in a car park at the beginning of the Alpe (the cost to travel the last stretch of road and parking, even indoor, is 6 euros per vehicle). From here, the only ways to move are the shoes and, in winter, snowshoes and skis. The narrow streets covered in the stone houses are really lovely.

Alpe Devero is surprisingly dish, surrounded by impressive mountains. Different are the tiny picturesque villages where the stone and wood are the only materials used for the houses.

To this page we present the path, precisely in winter mode with use of snowshoes, from Alpe Devero to the panoramic Mount Cazzola. Obviously, there are other paths where snowshoeing (for example towards the village of Crampiolo and the Hanging Alpe) and there is also the possibility of dedicating ourselves to skiing: an old chairlift allows skiers to have fun on the track and even more outflowers. Furthermore, this area, including the itinerary for Monte Cazzola, is also valid for ski mountaineers.

After the departure of the chairlift of Alpe Devero, there continues up to a small group of stone houses from which the path to Mount Cazzola.

Here you pass a bridge over the Rio di Buscagna and starts to rise in the midst of a fairly thick forest, among fairy-tale landscapes. It is a rather beaten path and traces are always evident; In the absence of tracks, you must trust the instinct and the compass (direction about north-west), because indications are missing. In the first part, however, we continue to follow the valley of the Rio di Buscagna, then taking south-west, up to 1907 meters of alps of the Alpe Misanco. From here, the climb continues south.

Alpe Misanco consists of some small stone houses. From here, the climb is a bit wider (even spout skiers here can have fun, as demonstrated by the trails) and from here also the path for Lake Nero. The views become increasingly broad and spectacular.

You get to a white plateau. On the left, a little hidden from the snow-covered undulations of the ground, the Alpe Devero ski system arrives. Go up again on snow-covered dossi (and we used one of these to stop for a sunny picnic).

At this point, the road to get to Monte Cazzola is evident. The big panettone in front of us, in fact, has no strong slopes and can be assailed improvising the line, but the traces are very clear. With the last effort, therefore, we arrive at 2300 meters of altitude. The view from Monte Cazzola is 360 degrees.

To get up from Alpe Devero to Monte Cazzola they use about a couple of hours for a total of 700 meters in altitude. The descent can take place through the same itinerary, or deviating lower to the black lake (mentioned before), being attentive to the conditions of the snow mantle.

Alpe Devero is located two hours by car from Milan and, once the car parked, one immediately ready to snowshoe in magnificent places, because the village itself is a small pedestrian paradise. For this reason, the Alpe Devero and Monte Cazzola are highly recommended for winter walks. Good trip!
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