Difficulty: Intermediate, 1050 m of elevation gain, 19 km, highest point 2269 m.

GUIDDY EXPERIENCE

iWhat does it mean?

Scenic trekking in Val Formazza: from Frua Waterfall to Alpe Veglia and Lago Bianco

Q: What does the price include?

Included: Guiddy accident insurance and Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included). Not included: Packed lunch or lunch at the hut, Car pooling among participants and Parking.

Varzo, provincia del Verbano-Cusio-Ossola · Piemonte•1 day · Sunday•Hiking · 2,269 m

Difficulty ?

INTERMEDIATE

Where?

provincia del Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piemonte

On your own?

No problem

Points

+20

Scenic trekking in Val Formazza: from Frua Waterfall to Alpe Veglia and Lago Bianco

Community photos

Overview

The experience

Difficulty

What's included

Itinerary

Carpooling

What to bring

Your guide

Reviews

Questions

WHY THIS HIKE

The Frua waterfall in Val Formazza

A great waterfall, a white lake and an alpine plateau.

Group chat a couple of days before

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

We set off with the Guidders from Ponte Campo, in the Val Formazza, and the first encounter is immediately the Frua waterfall, one of the most spectacular falls in the Lepontine Alps. The route carries on to Alpe Veglia, crossing open alpine country, woods and wide pastures, as far as the Lago Bianco and Rifugio Città di Arona. It is a complete loop, where the mountains show themselves in every form: water, rock, pasture and silence.

5 reasons to come - the Frua waterfall, among the most spectacular in the Alps - Lago Bianco and its silence - Alpe Veglia, one of the finest plateaus in the Ossola - Rifugio Città di Arona along the circuit - a loop whose setting changes constantly

Who it suits A long loop on mountain paths: good fitness is needed, but there are no technical passages.

The finest Ossola is walked, not driven: come and see it with the Guidders.

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 the free cancellation period has ended. You pay nothing when you book.

Recommended age 25–45

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.

+20 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+

I+

D+

1,050 m D+ · 19 km · 7 h

Easy

Perfect for those who want to enjoy nature without too much effort. Short, well-marked trails with gentle slopes. No technical difficulties, just a desire to walk, breathe in the fresh air, and share the day with a group.

Ideal for: Beginners, families, those who want to take their first steps in trekking.

Easy Plus

A little faster pace, but still accessible. Slightly longer routes or with a few more hills, requiring some walking experience. The terrain is always easy and safe.

Ideal for: Those who walk regularly and want to challenge themselves a little.

Here we enter the world of true trekking. Steeper climbs, stretches on uneven or longer trails that require stamina. The physical effort is medium to high, and the fatigue is noticeable... but so is the satisfaction!

Ideal for: Those who already have experience and a good level of physical fitness.

Intermediate Plus

When the mountains begin to take their toll. More challenging routes in terms of gradient or duration, with technical sections or uneven terrain. Even a medium elevation gain can be tough if concentrated in just a few kilometers

Ideal for: Trained hikers, accustomed to walking on mountain paths

Difficult

Level suitable for experienced hikers with excellent stamina and surefootedness. The physical challenge is high, and there may be steep sections or possible exposure, which is always noted in the hike description. Perfect for those who enjoy pushing their limits and conquering significant peaks.

Ideal for: Those who already have experience in an Alpine environment and want to challenge themselves.

Difficult Plus

Only for true Guidders with their Wild Spirit at its peak Long routes, significant elevation gain (over 1,100 m), and technical or exposed terrain. Excellent physical preparation, sure-footedness, and the ability to manage fatigue at high altitude are required.

Ideal for: Highly trained and experienced hikers in the mountains.

Exposure and exposed sections

NONE

No exposed sections reported on the route.

VERTIGO RISK

WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO

✓

BEFORE YOU GO

Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 7 h and 1,050 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough

✓

IN YOUR BACKPACK

Warm layers, a windproof jacket, 1.5 litres of water and a headlamp: the days are getting shorter, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED

✓Qualified hiking guide

✓Guiddy accident insurance

✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)

✕NOT INCLUDED

✕Packed lunch or lunch at the hut

✕Parking

✕Travel to Varzo

To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

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

Elevation gain

1,050 m

Max altitude

2,269 m

Distance

19 km

Duration

7 h

Sunday

11 Oct

19 km · D+ 1,050 m · 7 h

The stops · 19 km

Meeting point 9:00approximate

Via per Alpe Veglia, 28868 Varzo 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

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

09:00PARKING

Start

We leave the car just past Nembro in the Ponte Campo car park, cross the bridge over the stream and follow the forest track, initially through the woods, before continuing along increasingly steep slopes out into the open.

10:30MOUNTAIN HUT

Refuge "città di Arona"

Frua Waterfall and the Città di Arona Mountain Refuge to the village of Cornù

12:00LAKE

White Lake

From Alpe Veglia, we gain elevation along a narrow trail that offers breathtaking views of the alp below.

14:30MOUNTAIN HUT

Alpe Veglia

Back at Alpe Veglia, we have time for a stop at the Città di Arona mountain hut

16:00RETURN

Back to cars

We head back to the cars after a fantastic day together in the beautiful valley of the Veglia Nature Reserve

How do you get to Varzo? 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.

Windproof

REQUIRED

Waterproof shell

REQUIRED

Food supply

REQUIRED

Water supply

REQUIRED

Trekking boots

REQUIRED

Trekking poles

RECOMMENDED

First aid kit

RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Guide for this date · Sunday 11 October

Lia B.

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

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Lia, an environmental hiking guide. For me walking is far more than a route: it's a way of entering into a relationship with places, with people and with whatever happens inside us while we walk. I love guiding in nature and building genuine experiences, where the beauty of a view, the silence of a wood or the light on a summit become feelings worth keeping. On my outings I always try to create connections and moments of wonder, because every step can tell you something. If you hear the call of nature too, the Guidders and I understand each other. 🥾🌿 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

Italiano

Inglese

Spagnolo

Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

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Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.

4.5

2 reviews

Itinerary4.5

Organisation4.5

Overall experience4.5

Giacomo D.

Outing on 30 May 2026

L'Alpe Veglia é davvero mozzafiato. Consiglio di fare questo giro in primavera quando ancora c é neve al Lago Bianco perché rende il tutto ancora piú magico. La salita al lago non é banale, richiede un pò di allenamento, ma ripaga tutta la fatica, assolutamente da fare.

Your guide

Katia S.

Outing on 30 May 2026

Panorami top!

Your guide

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 7 h with 1,050 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

Scenic trekking in Val Formazza: from Frua Waterfall to Alpe Veglia and Lago Bianco

Varzo, (VB) · Piemonte

1 day · Hiking · 2,269 m

Elevation gain

1,050 m

Max altitude

2,269 m

Distance

19 km

Exposed sections

None

Duration

7 h

Guiddy points

+20

5 photos

+1 photos

WHY THIS HIKE

The Frua waterfall in Val Formazza

A great waterfall, a white lake and an alpine plateau.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

Who it suits A long loop on mountain paths: good fitness is needed, but there are no technical passages.

The finest Ossola is walked, not driven: come and see it with the Guidders.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale

INTERMEDIATE

F+

I+

D+

1,050 m D+ · 19 km · 7 h

Easy

Ideal for: Beginners, families, those who want to take their first steps in trekking.

Easy Plus

A little faster pace, but still accessible. Slightly longer routes or with a few more hills, requiring some walking experience. The terrain is always easy and safe.

Ideal for: Those who walk regularly and want to challenge themselves a little.

Ideal for: Those who already have experience and a good level of physical fitness.

Intermediate Plus

Ideal for: Trained hikers, accustomed to walking on mountain paths

Difficult

Ideal for: Those who already have experience in an Alpine environment and want to challenge themselves.

Difficult Plus

Ideal for: Highly trained and experienced hikers in the mountains.

WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO

✓

BEFORE YOU GO

Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 7 h and 1,050 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough

✓

IN YOUR BACKPACK

Warm layers, a windproof jacket, 1.5 litres of water and a headlamp: the days are getting shorter, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish