GUIDDY EXPERIENCE
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Snowshoeing to the Testa del Mater: the ridge between the Valle Vigezzo and the Val Grande

Malesco, provincia del Verbano-Cusio-Ossola · Piemonte•1 day · Wednesday•Hiking · 1,846 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
provincia del Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piemonte
On your own?
No problem
Points
+17
Snowshoeing to the Testa del Mater: the ridge between the Valle Vigezzo and the Val Grande
Community photos
See all photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Snowshoeing to the Testa del Mater

We provide the snowshoes, poles, and safety kit: you arrive with boots and a jacket and set off with the Guidders towards the Testa del Mater, a snowy balcony on the ridge between the Vigezzo Valley and the wild woods of Val Grande. A day on the snow of Ossola with people who know these valleys by heart.

Group chat a couple of days before
Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

From Santa Maria Maggiore the van takes us to Val Loana. We climb a small road up to the meadows of Alpe Cortino, then into the woods, with one last steeper slope, up to the cross of La Cima, at 1,810 meters.

From here a quarter hour of easy ridge walking leads to the Testa del Mater: on one side the Vigezzo Valley and the Swiss peaks, on the other Val Grande, Italy's wildest park. Packed lunch and descent along the same route.

GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens a couple of days before: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before
For the selected date: by 2 January 2027, 23:59. You pay nothing when you book.
Recommended age 12+
It's not a rule: it just tells you what kind of group to expect. You can still sign up if you're outside this range.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+17 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
Included in the price.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
750 m D+ · 8 km · 4h30
Exposure and exposed sections
NONE
No exposed sections reported on the route.
VERTIGO RISK
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Dress in layers and set off in daylight: on snow you sweat going up and freeze at the stops. If you've never snowshoed, no experience needed, just legs for a long walk and an easy pace
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Snowshoes and poles are included. Waterproof boots, gaiters, gloves plus a spare pair, a beanie, sunglasses, a hot thermos and a snack. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Qualified hiking guide
✓Snowshoes and poles
✓Avalanche beacon, shovel and probe
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Car pooling among participants
✓Transport for excursions (van or minibus)
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Fuel, shared among participants
✕Travel to Malesco
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Elevation gain
750 m
Max altitude
1,846 m
Distance
8 km
Duration
4h30
Map
Wednesday
6 Jan
8 km · D+ 750 m · 4h30
Meeting point 9:00approximate
Meeting in Santa Maria Maggiore, provincia del Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italia. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
HOW TO GET THERE
A
09:00MEETING
Meeting in Santa Maria Maggiore
We meet the Guidders at the Vigezzina station, try on the gear and get in the van.
B
09:30PARKING
In the Val Loana
Near the chapel of Sasso di Broglio we put on snowshoes. Transceiver check and off we go.
C
12:15VIEWPOINT
On the Testa del Mater
A quarter of an hour along an easy ridge and the view opens over the Val Grande. Packed lunch.
D
14:45HIKING TRAIL
Down to the Val Loana
We return on the same track, passing the Alpe Cortino again.
E
15:15RETURN
Back in Santa Maria Maggiore
The van takes us back to the meeting point. Gear goes back and goodbyes to the Guidders.

How do you get to Malesco? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
for the selected date
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Backpack
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Warm gloves
REQUIRED
Heavy headgear
REQUIRED
Sunglasses
REQUIRED
Gaiters
RECOMMENDED
Waterproof shell
RECOMMENDED
Thermal shirt
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED
Food supply
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Guide for this date · Wednesday 6 January 2027
Silvano M.
Silvano M.
We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Silvano, a guide. Mountains have never meant just one discipline to me. Over the years I've picked up all kinds of qualifications: ski mountaineering instructor, alpinism instructor, hiking guide, national mountain bike guide, national instructor and international trainer for nordic walking, ski patroller, and technical director for a tour operator. Each path taught me a different way to read the terrain, the people, and the effort. What I love most is exactly this mix: bringing together people who come from different backgrounds, with different legs and different goals, and finding the right pace together. I believe in guiding that respects everyone's own timing, never pushing too hard. Anyone who sets out with me should come home with a real experience, as safe as it can be, and the desire to come back for more. See you in the mountains, Guidders!

Italiano
Inglese
Francese
Spagnolo
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
—
no reviews yet
Itinerary—
Organisation—
Overall experience—
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 4h30 with 750 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 3 days before (for this date: 2 January 2027, 23:59)
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Ibex
Still have questions? Ask Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this outing is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Hi, I'm Ibex. Ask me anything about this outing: level, what to bring, meeting point, car pooling, payment.
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice. Prefer WhatsApp?
Snowshoeing to the Testa del Mater: the ridge between the Valle Vigezzo and the Val Grande

Snowshoeing to the Testa del Mater: the ridge between the Valle Vigezzo and the Val Grande

Malesco, (VB) · Piemonte
1 day · Hiking · 1,846 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
750 m
Max altitude
1,846 m
Distance
8 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
4h30
Guiddy points
+17
8 photos
+4 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Snowshoeing to the Testa del Mater

We provide the snowshoes, poles, and safety kit: you arrive with boots and a jacket and set off with the Guidders towards the Testa del Mater, a snowy balcony on the ridge between the Vigezzo Valley and the wild woods of Val Grande. A day on the snow of Ossola with people who know these valleys by heart.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

From Santa Maria Maggiore the van takes us to Val Loana. We climb a small road up to the meadows of Alpe Cortino, then into the woods, with one last steeper slope, up to the cross of La Cima, at 1,810 meters.

From here a quarter hour of easy ridge walking leads to the Testa del Mater: on one side the Vigezzo Valley and the Swiss peaks, on the other Val Grande, Italy's wildest park. Packed lunch and descent along the same route.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
750 m D+ · 8 km · 4h30
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Dress in layers and set off in daylight: on snow you sweat going up and freeze at the stops. If you've never snowshoed, no experience needed, just legs for a long walk and an easy pace
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Snowshoes and poles are included. Waterproof boots, gaiters, gloves plus a spare pair, a beanie, sunglasses, a hot thermos and a snack. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Qualified hiking guide
✓Snowshoes and poles
✓Avalanche beacon, shovel and probe
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Car pooling among participants
✓Transport for excursions (van or minibus)
NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Fuel, shared among participants
✕Travel to Malesco

Itinerary

Wednesday · approximate times
Map
Explore the map
5 stops
Meeting point 9:00Meeting in Santa Maria Maggiore
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
A
09:00MEETING
Meeting in Santa Maria Maggiore
We meet the Guidders at the Vigezzina station, try on the gear and get in the van.
B
09:30PARKING
In the Val Loana
Near the chapel of Sasso di Broglio we put on snowshoes. Transceiver check and off we go.
C
12:15VIEWPOINT
On the Testa del Mater
A quarter of an hour along an easy ridge and the view opens over the Val Grande. Packed lunch.
D
14:45HIKING TRAIL
Down to the Val Loana
We return on the same track, passing the Alpe Cortino again.
E
15:15RETURN
Back in Santa Maria Maggiore
The van takes us back to the meeting point. Gear goes back and goodbyes to the Guidders.

How do you get to Malesco? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
for this date
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike.
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Backpack
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Warm gloves
REQUIRED
Heavy headgear
REQUIRED
Sunglasses
REQUIRED
Gaiters
RECOMMENDED
Waterproof shell
RECOMMENDED
Thermal shirt
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED
Food supply
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Wednesday 6 January 2027
Silvano M.
Silvano M.
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Silvano, a guide. Mountains have never meant just one discipline to me. Over the years I've picked up all kinds of qualifications: ski mountaineering instructor, alpinism instructor, hiking guide, national mountain bike guide, national instructor and international trainer for nordic walking, ski patroller, and technical director for a tour operator. Each path taught me a different way to read the terrain, the people, and the effort. What I love most is exactly this mix: bringing together people who come from different backgrounds, with different legs and different goals, and finding the right pace together. I believe in guiding that respects everyone's own timing, never pushing too hard. Anyone who sets out with me should come home with a real experience, as safe as it can be, and the desire to come back for more. See you in the mountains, Guidders!

We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Reviews

— · none yet
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
Only from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 4h30 with 750 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Wed 6 Jan 27
€39
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed