montecrestese and its districts (lower ring)

WARNING: trekking is not like walking! If you can't overcome a passage, go back!
Some of the tracks presented here are set along mountain trails where some passages may require holding to ropes or climbing short ladders, and may have exposed passages without safety protections. These tracts can be a serious danger if faced without the right equipment, awareness and physical condition.
ITINERARIUM® has no responsibility regarding the tracks presented here, their dangerousness, accessibility, praticability and safety. Who decides to take these tracks does it at their own risk.

PONTETTO - CASTELLUCCIO - RONCAREGGIO - CHIESA - ALTENO - NAVILEDO - ROLDO

Val D'Ossola - Valle Isorno/Valle Agarina

Download GPX track

Length:
7.8 Km

Our time:
2h15' walking

Total climb:
345 mt

Min and max height:
305 mt - 590 mt

Type of track:
ring track

Surface:
mule track - trail - steps

Panorama:
vineyards - ancient towns

Cell network coverage:
partial

Traced in winter:
no

Traced by bike:
no

The name Montecrestese means “the mountain made of rocks growing like crests”, meaning it's a group of rocky spikes, positioned on a large area, where many small villages with ancient stone architectures are born. The trail discovers the most peculiar districts, following old mule tracks that cross blooming fields, woods and vineyards, where the Prünent variety is grown still today, with the “a topie” (pergola) technique.
What to visit along the trail:
Castelluccio, with the remains of a small fortified house and, close by the village, two megalithic sites (Croppole and Castelluccio), characterized by a group of stone walls, megalithic rooms and menhirs, some in a row and some in a circle.
Chiesa, with the second tallest steeple of Ossola, 67.5 meters high.
Naviledo with its mule track that crosses, with vaults passages, some houses.
Giosio with its bread oven and the wine press.
Burella, where stone arches are still visible today, even after the Spanish castle-removal.
Roldo, with its typical small lepontic temple (celtic).
Each district has connections with nearby towns, so it’s easy to plan variations to this track.