The highest hospice in Europe


The hike to Colle Valdobbia, where the Ospizio Sottile stands, is partly steep but well marked and has a wonderful destination that rewards your efforts! For centuries, the Colle has been a transit point for Valsesian emigrants heading to Gressoney, Switzerland, and France. Already in the 1700s, a shelter was built, which in 1823 was transformed into the Ospizio Sottile, which is still today the highest hospice in Europe and one of the historical buildings of Val Vogna.
hiking
June - October
hiking
3h 30min
Riva Valdobbia - Ca' di Janzo (1354 m)
Ospizio Sottile (2480 m)
1126 m
From Riva Valdobbia you reach Cà di Janzo where you can leave your car. Walk past the hamlets of Ca’ Piacentino, Ca’ Morca, and Ca’ Verno until you reach S.Antonio. From here, a dirt road begins that leads to the hamlet of Peccia on an easy flat route (1 hour) and, crossing it and continuing on a path, to the Napoleonic Bridge. After the stone bridge, turn right, where the path begins to climb and first reaches the Alpe Montata , and after crossing it, you traverse a beautiful larch forest on a false flat. At the edge of this, you can continue right on the direct path to the Ospizio Sottile (2 h 30min), or to the left, reaching the Larecchio (1 hour, 1910 m).
Continuing from the Alpe Larecchio, you reach the Lago Balma and from there the Ospizio Sottile (2480 m) on the border with the Aosta Valley.
Safety in the mountains
Living and experiencing the mountains requires caution, preparation, and experience. No activity, even the easiest one, should be taken for granted or improvised.