TOUR OF THE ALPINE PASTURES AROUND QUARNA

Discover a mountain area that to this day has maintained its agricultural and pastural vocation. Our suggested tour here is intermediate level and is nearly all off-road as far as Alpe Camasca, one of the most ancient in the area.

Our point of departure is Quarna Sotto (800 metres above sea level), a place well known locally for the “Festival del Muro Dipinto” the Wall Painting Festival and the open air frescoes that can be admired on the walls of the houses and also for being the “Paese della musica”, village of music, due to the production of brass musical instruments of the finest quality.

This tradition goes back to the 19th century and has taken the name of this little place all over the world, as the Ramponi & Cazzani business has carried on doing to this very day.

SAXOPHONES AROUND THE WORLD

Starting from the village centre, we follow the signs for the 18th century Oratorio del Saliente, near which is one of the area’s last functioning mills. In a green valley with a stream running through it, today it is the site of the Ecomuseo Mulino delle Batìne and an interesting testimonial to local history: this was what the daily work, efforts and sacrifices of entire generations of families from this and neighbouring villages hinged on.

CYCLING THROUGH ORATORIES AND RIVERS

So, we proceed first along tarmac road and then off-road on trails through thick woods with pretty views of little streams and waterfalls, following the signs for the Alpe Camasca. The red and white trail signs and the yellow coloured directions with the MTB Indications accompany us up the steep incline: with incredible panoramic views and increasingly cool air we reach the Alpe Scopello and then Alpe Pianero, every now and then coming across many votive chapels to be found dotted all over the area. A little further on, on the right, we get a glimpse of the Alpe Camasca (at an altitude of 1.224 metres), surrounded by extensive pastures.

THE CAMASCA ALP

After a short downhill stretch, we reach the first few mountain huts. We pass the little church of the Alpini, the Italian army’s crack Alpine regiment, and a little fountain and we go on as far as a crossroads where several paths meet. Turning right, we follow the directions for Quarna Sopra. Just a bit further on, at the junction, we go right again passing some more chalets. A little pine wood on a slope leads us downhill to the Alpe Ruschini, a gorgeous little chalet in a sunny, panoramic position and amazing views over Lake Orta.

SINGLE TRACKS AND ANCIENT CHURCHES

Path number T20 takes us downhill while still following the directions for Quarna Sopra. We get to the Alpe Barca and then to the Alpe del Preer. A little later we reach the tarmac road again, the aqueduct and the first houses in Quarna Sopra. Taking Via alla Chiesa, we cycle on as far as the parish church of Santo Stefano which is on a terrace affording splendid views of the village, and then we turn left.

At the end of the road, we stop and turn right, past the Town Hall and the church of the Madonna del Pero, a 16th century oratory situated at the entrance to the village which inherited its name from a great fruit tree which used to grow in the centre of the square.

Before leaving the village, take an interesting diversion and visit the Madonna della Neve, a sanctuary along a mule trail which from Cireggio leads to Quarna Sopra. From the village square (Burghitt) it is an easy ride through a narrow street leading to the local shop and Via Fontegno.

AGE-OLD SHADY TREES

After the bridge over the stream called the Flogno, keep right and then immediately turn left, taking a cobbled street, the Fontegno mule trail. Passing the Madonna Pellegrina, you soon reach the Santuario, a truly unique place shaded by age-old trees and a little wall which overlooks the downward slope: a cool fresh water spring and a marvellous panoramic view await you.

From the little square you can see the beginning of the Toce valley, the industrial area stretching from to Omegna, the charming basin of Lake Orta with all the villages on the Novara plain and on very clear days you can see as far as the Liguria Apennines.

Once you have started on the road back, at the end of the mule trail, turn left and you will reach the “Area Panoramica Belvedere”, set up with picnic tables and another breathtaking view.

To finish, it is quite a quick descent from here towards Quarna Sotto and back to your point of departure.

TOUR OF THE ALPINE PASTURES AROUND QUARNA

TYPES OF ROAD
Singletrack: 3.32 km
Path: 5.51 km
Bike path: 0 km
Minor road: 2.07 km
Asphalt road: 1.89 km

SURFACES
Natural: 4.49 km
Unpaved: 5.27 m
Dirt road: 527m
Paved area: 1.44 km
Asphalt: 2.73 km
Unknown: 100 m

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