Hike to Villa Aprilia and Lake Baranca at Alpe Selle

This itinerary leads to Colle di Baranca and Alpe Selle. In this verdant basin, with the peaks of Valsesia in the background, lake Baranca and the ancient mule track leading to Santa Maria di Fobello are set.

Colle di Baranca, as well as many other places on the mountains of Ossola, is intrinsically rich in history. These places, together with the hard work of the shepherds, have seen the splendor of the first years of ‘900, when this untainted nature became a place of vacation for the middle class of Turin. Among all of the buildings, the ruins of Villa Aprilia stand out for their uniqueness. The architect Costantino Gilodi from Borgosesia, known as one of the most influential exponents of Belle Époque in Valsesia, built here his villa in 1908. Following his death, the villa was bought by the Lancia family, who renamed it “Aprilia” like the famous model of their car company.

During the Second World War Colle Baranca, one of the main escaping routes to Switzerland, became the scenery of a fight between partisan squads and fascist militia. During this fight, the latter burnt down the Villa, which lays abandoned since then.

The trail then proceeds towards the pastures of Valle Olocchia, crossing Ancium, Alpe Curtet, Alpe Cangelli and Solivo.

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