Cossogno Vertical Kilometer

A signature vertical climb at the gateway to Val Grande

The Cossogno Vertical Kilometer is a classic uphill running race in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola area, in the heart of Northern Piedmont. It takes place in the small town of Cossogno, a village of a few hundred inhabitants nestled on the Piedmontese shore of Lake Maggiore and considered one of the gateways to the wild Val Grande National Park, the largest wilderness area in Italy.

The course: 1,000 meters of elevation gain over 5.5 km

The format is the ruthless and essential one of the vertical kilometer: approximately 5.5 kilometers in length with 1,000 meters of positive elevation gain. The start is set at Parco Ramolino, on the valley floor, while the finish line is reached at the top of Monte Todum, at an altitude of about 1,285 meters, within the territory of the Val Grande National Park.

The trail, marked and maintained throughout the year, winds along paths and mule tracks through forests and scenic clearings: a continuous climb that tests breath and legs, offering increasingly wide views of Lake Maggiore and the Ossola mountains as you ascend.

A community-driven race

More than just a competition, the Cossogno Vertical Kilometer is a village festival dedicated to the mountains and running. The event is organized by the Gruppo Sportivo Cossognese in collaboration with Avis Marathon Verbania, with the support of the Municipality of Cossogno, the local Social Club, and regional associations. Timing is managed via an electronic chip system.

Each edition draws nearly 150 athletes, ranging from vertical specialists to mountain running enthusiasts, in a friendly atmosphere that culminates in a communal lunch offered to athletes and volunteers after the race. It is an event that, beyond sport, celebrates the trails, traditions, and environment of an authentic corner of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province.

When it takes place

The race is traditionally held on a Sunday morning in early May, starting from Parco Ramolino. It is one of the first major vertical races of the Piedmontese season and attracts runners from across the North-West.