Devero's Great West: Val Buscagna and Monte Cazzola among golden larches

Everyone at Devero goes to Crampiolo. We turn the other way: Val Buscagna, the western side of the plain, where the larches are denser, the people fewer and Monte Cazzola gives the fullest balcony over the whole park.

The route

From Alpe Devero we enter Val Buscagna on a gentle mule track among streams and pastures. At Alpe Buscagna the valley widens and the real climb begins, reaching the ridge and then the Cazzola summit, 2,330 m, in an hour and a half.

From up there you see the whole Devero plain, the lakes, the Cervandone and, on clear days, the Swiss peaks. Down along the ridge and the huts of Corte d'Ardui, closing the loop.

Who it's for

• anyone who has been to Devero and wants to see it from above
• anyone after mid-October colours away from the Crampiolo crowds
• anyone fit for a six-hour loop

Good to know

Devero parking is paid and fills up early on October Saturdays: we start early. With snow on the ridge the guide stops the loop at Alpe Buscagna.

Getting there

Alpe Devero is two hours ten from Milan: A26, expressway to Domodossola, then Crodo, Baceno and the Devero road. Paid parking, which fills up early on October Saturdays: early meeting and car pooling in the Telegram group.