Walser Häpfla Fest

The mountain potato festival in Formazza

The Walser Häpfla Fest is a festival celebrating the Walser potato, a niche product painstakingly cultivated on the high slopes of Val Formazza, in the municipality of Formazza, located in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the far north of Piedmont. Established in 2017 by the Pro Loco of Formazza, the event has become one of the most cherished highlights of the Ossola festival calendar, blending peasant memory, Walser culture, and fine dining over a single weekend in late September.

The Walser potato, an alpine treasure

Three ancient potato varieties still survive in Val Formazza, each with unique characteristics: the Pomatterhäpfla, with yellow flesh and red skin, perfect for gnocchi and mashed potatoes; the Walser, yellow inside and out, firm and ideal for salads and oven-baked dishes; and the Röti öiglje, with yellow flesh and red 'eyes'. Cultivating potatoes at these altitudes is a daily challenge: the festival was created specifically to share and protect this agricultural heritage, which is now rare in the Alps.

The Open Walser Houses

One of the most evocative moments is the Open Walser Houses event: the valley's ancient wooden dwellings open their doors to welcome visitors into their traditional Schtube, the heated parlors where dinners and local dishes are served. It is a rare opportunity to step into the heart of Walser living and breathe the atmosphere of a German-speaking community that settled here centuries ago.

Gnocchi, markets, and traditions

The gastronomic heart of the festival is the Walser potato gnocchi, strictly handmade by the women of Formazza according to a recipe passed down through generations. Surrounding the food stands is a market of local food and artisanal products, while conferences and meetings delve into the agricultural and culinary traditions of the area. All this takes place in the Valdo Festival Area, the hamlet that serves as the event's headquarters.

A weekend in Upper Ossola

Attending the Walser Häpfla Fest means discovering Val Formazza at one of the most beautiful times of the year, as the forests begin to turn autumnal. Between tastings and walks, the festival is the perfect excuse to explore the valley, its waterfalls, and its Walser villages in a corner of Piedmont suspended between Italy and Switzerland.