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Val Grande: from Cicogna to Pogallo via Alpe Prà, the red beech loop

Cicogna, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola · Piemonte•1 day•Hiking · 1,250 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piemonte
On your own?
No problem
Points
+17
Val Grande: from Cicogna to Pogallo via Alpe Prà, the red beech loop
Community photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Cicogna and Pogallo in Val Grande

Val Grande is the largest wilderness area in the Alps: no roads, no inhabited villages, just abandoned pastures and beech woods. In late October the beeches turn red and the valley feels like another continent. This loop is the classic way in for a day.

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

The experience

We start from Cicogna, the last village, and climb to Alpe Prà, a balcony over the heart of the valley. From there we descend through the beech woods to Pogallo, a pasture with the old bridge over the stream and houses that once were a small community.

The return follows the Sutermeister mule track, cut into the rock above the stream: one of the park's most scenic stretches. Back in Cicogna in the afternoon.

The road from Rovegro to Cicogna is narrow: car pooling recommended. Val Grande has no phone signal and no refreshment points: water and packed lunch. Short days: early start.

Cicogna is an hour and fifty from Milan: A26 to Verbania, then San Bernardino Verbano, Rovegro and the narrow road to Cicogna. Small car park at the village entrance: car pooling strongly recommended, in the outing's Telegram group.

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
You pay nothing when you book.
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+ · 11 km · 6 h
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 6 h and 750 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Licensed hiking guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy points for the loyalty programme
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch or lunch at the hut
✕Parking
✕Travel to Cicogna
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
1,250 m
Distance
11 km
Duration
6 h
Map
Day
11 km · D+ 750 m · 6 h
Meeting point 8:30approximate
Meeting at Cicogna, Cicogna, provincia di 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
08:30MEETING
Meeting at Cicogna
We meet the Guidders in the last village before the wilderness. From here on, trail only.
B
10:15VILLAGE
Alpe Prà
A meadow with huts and a view over the heart of the valley. First long stop.
C
12:15VILLAGE
Pogallo
The Pogallo houses and the bridge over the stream. Packed lunch among the beeches.
D
13:45MULE TRACK
The Sutermeister mule track
The stretch cut into the rock above the Pogallo stream: the finest and most photographed of the loop.
E
15:30RETURN
Back to Cicogna
We close the loop in the village. Anyone keen stops at the club for a drink.

How do you get to Cicogna? 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
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
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Warm gloves
RECOMMENDED
Warm hat
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED

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 6 h 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
✓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?
Val Grande: from Cicogna to Pogallo via Alpe Prà, the red beech loop

Val Grande: from Cicogna to Pogallo via Alpe Prà, the red beech loop

Cicogna, (VB) · Piemonte
1 day · Hiking · 1,250 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
750 m
Max altitude
1,250 m
Distance
11 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
6 h
Guiddy points
+17
5 photos
+1 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Cicogna and Pogallo in Val Grande

Val Grande is the largest wilderness area in the Alps: no roads, no inhabited villages, just abandoned pastures and beech woods. In late October the beeches turn red and the valley feels like another continent. This loop is the classic way in for a day.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

We start from Cicogna, the last village, and climb to Alpe Prà, a balcony over the heart of the valley. From there we descend through the beech woods to Pogallo, a pasture with the old bridge over the stream and houses that once were a small community.

The return follows the Sutermeister mule track, cut into the rock above the stream: one of the park's most scenic stretches. Back in Cicogna in the afternoon.

The road from Rovegro to Cicogna is narrow: car pooling recommended. Val Grande has no phone signal and no refreshment points: water and packed lunch. Short days: early start.

Cicogna is an hour and fifty from Milan: A26 to Verbania, then San Bernardino Verbano, Rovegro and the narrow road to Cicogna. Small car park at the village entrance: car pooling strongly recommended, in the outing's Telegram group.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
750 m D+ · 11 km · 6 h
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 6 h and 750 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Licensed hiking guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy points for the loyalty programme
NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch or lunch at the hut
✕Parking
✕Travel to Cicogna

Itinerary

Day · approximate times
Map
Explore the map
5 stops
Meeting point 8:30Meeting at Cicogna
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
A
08:30MEETING
Meeting at Cicogna
We meet the Guidders in the last village before the wilderness. From here on, trail only.
B
10:15VILLAGE
Alpe Prà
A meadow with huts and a view over the heart of the valley. First long stop.
C
12:15VILLAGE
Pogallo
The Pogallo houses and the bridge over the stream. Packed lunch among the beeches.
D
13:45MULE TRACK
The Sutermeister mule track
The stretch cut into the rock above the Pogallo stream: the finest and most photographed of the loop.
E
15:30RETURN
Back to Cicogna
We close the loop in the village. Anyone keen stops at the club for a drink.

How do you get to Cicogna? By carpooling.

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

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
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
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Warm gloves
RECOMMENDED
Warm hat
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED

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 6 h 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?
⌄
No date
€24.90
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed