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Valle Introna, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, is an ancient valley, where intense mining has been performed over the (gold in the Upper Valley and iron in Val Brevettola), although most of the inhabitants emigrated in 1600, after a great landslide.

At the beginning of the XX century, the vertical slopes and the abundance of water and natural lakes led to strong exploitation of water resources for the production of hydroelectric energy (i.e. the artificial basins of Campliccioli, Cingino, Camposecco, Bacino Alpe Cavalli, and the natural lake of Antrona). Lake Campliccioli, with a depth of 203 ft., is the deepest in Ossola.

The area of Alta Valle Introna Park covers a total surface area of 18.395 acres in the Municipality of Antrona Schieranco and Viganella, in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. It extends from 1.640 ft (on the valley floor near Viganella) to 11.995 ft (Pizzo Andolla), including a stretch of the valley floor with some historical settlements, Val Troncone, Val Banella, and the stretch of Val Loranco in front of Alpe dei Cavalli Lake. It is a rough, isolated and a rather wild territory of great beauty.

In the Valley, there are hotels, huts and campsites. At the park headquarters, it is also possible to join international naturalistic volunteer summer stays.

The lakes

In the Introna Valley, there are 18 natural lakes at very high altitudes (above 6.562 ft): a destination for exciting walks, but not suitable for everyone. Among those bodies of water, there are the four small lakes of Ciapivul, located in desolate basins on the northern side of Punta Turiggi (in the Loranco valley): they can be reached via very challenging trails for expert trekkers only.
They are set among alpine meadows and expanses of crushed rocks, in a lunar landscape, quite secluded and hostile.

The lakes of Trivera, at 6.889 ft above sea level, are, on the other hand, a popular destination for leisure excursions on easy and well-marked trails. Also worth mentioning are Pozzuoli or Ruazzei lakes, Pianei or Montalto lakes, Ogaggia lake (7.185 ft.), and Lonze lake (6.693 ft.).

Other walking itineraries include the path that leads to Cheggio, and the oratory of San Bernardo, as well as the beautiful walk to the Andolla Refuge.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)