Sentieri degli Spalloni
Cross-border historical trekking between Val d'Ossola and Switzerland
About Sentieri degli Spalloni
A journey through the memory of alpine smuggling
The Sentieri degli Spalloni are much more than a simple trek: they are a journey into the history of the Ossola mountains. The "spalloni" were the smugglers who, carrying heavy loads on their shoulders (the bricolla), secretly crossed the border between Italy and Switzerland along rugged, hidden trails. The event, promoted by the Sentieri degli Spalloni APS ETS Association, brings these paths between Val d'Ossola and the nearby Swiss Valle Maggia back to life, transforming the "hard labor of smuggling" into living historical memory.
Crodo and the Ossola municipalities take center stage
The event is itinerant and involves several municipalities in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola area of Piedmont, including Crodo, Premia, Montecrestese, and Masera. The trails wind through mountain pastures, border ridges, and ancient shelters, offering participants spectacular views of the Lepontine Alps and the stories of the people who inhabited and crossed these lands: smugglers, shepherds, mountain farmers, and partisans.
The 2026 Tenth Anniversary Edition
In 2026, Sentieri degli Spalloni celebrates ten years with a program titled "Beyond Every Limit: The Call of Freedom". The festival has received the patronage of the Piedmont Regional Council and has been included in the events for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, proclaimed by the UN and led by the FAO. The heart of the edition is the cross-border trek "The Rebels' Path," spread over two consecutive days along the border ridge.
History and identity of a territory
The trails tell centuries of border life: from the smuggling of salt, rice, and tobacco to the events of the Resistance. Over the years, the association has restored ancient tracks, inaugurated bivouacs, and gathered thousands of participants, making the Ossola paths a shared heritage between Italy and Switzerland. Walking these trails means rediscovering alpine culture, pastoral traditions, and the deep bond between mountain communities.
Why participate
- Guided trekking on ancient border paths between Italy and Switzerland
- Historical accounts and testimonies on the life of the spalloni and mountain farmers
- High-altitude landscapes among pastures, ridges, and shelters of Val d'Ossola
- An event that unites sport, nature, memory, and alpine culture
Sentieri degli Spalloni — edition 2026
For its tenth anniversary, the festival proposes the "The Rebels' Path" trek in two stages. Friday, July 17, first stage "The Border Ridge": cross-border walk from Cimalmotto (Switzerland) to Alpe Cortevecchio / Rifugio Bonasson, along the border line traveled by the spalloni. Saturday, July 18, second stage "The Echo of Silence - the dialogue between Pastures and Memory": from Alpe Cortevecchio to Altoggio di Montecrestese, with a shorter variant from Agarina. To close the year, on October 17, the conference "Vertical Stories: Ten Years of Sentieri degli Spalloni" at the Masera Sports Field.
Programme Sentieri degli Spalloni 2026
2026 Program - "Beyond Every Limit: The Call of Freedom"
- Friday, July 17 - 1st stage "The Rebels' Path. The Border Ridge": cross-border trek from Cimalmotto (CH) to Alpe Cortevecchio / Rifugio Bonasson (I)
- Saturday, July 18 - 2nd stage "The Rebels' Path. The Echo of Silence": from Alpe Cortevecchio to Altoggio di Montecrestese (shorter variant from Agarina)
- Saturday, October 17 - Closing conference "Vertical Stories: Ten Years of Sentieri degli Spalloni" at the Masera Sports Field
Highlights Sentieri degli Spalloni 2026
- Tenth anniversary edition (10 years of the association)
- Cross-border Italy-Switzerland trekking on the border ridge
- Patronage of the Piedmont Regional Council
- Included in the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 (UN/FAO)
Prices Sentieri degli Spalloni 2026
Practical information — Sentieri degli Spalloni
Where it takes place
The event is itinerant and crosses several municipalities of Val d'Ossola (Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province, Piedmont), including Crodo, Premia, Montecrestese, and Masera, with incursions into Swiss territory (Valle Maggia).
How to get there
By car: from the A26 motorway, take the Verbania-Gravellona Toce exit, then the SS33 del Sempione towards Domodossola and continue through Valle Antigorio to Crodo. By train: Domodossola station, well-connected on the international Simplon line, then continue by bus or car towards the valley.
Registration and information
Excursions require registration, with forms and details (times, difficulty, meeting point) published on the official website www.sentierideglispalloni.com. For information: [email protected], tel. +39 335 1345384. Trekking clothing and footwear, a water supply, and adequate physical preparation for high-altitude routes are recommended.
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Where does it take place — Sentieri degli Spalloni
Sentieri della Valle Antigorio e Val d'Ossola