Toce Cycle Track: cycling among woodland
Difficulty
Easy
Period
Spring / Summer / Autumn

Cycling among woodland is a real journey through the countryside, starting from the village of Vogogna and ending in Ornavasso, crossing the central stretch of the Toce valley, among cultivated fields and lowland woodland. It also goes through the heart of Bosco Tenso, a WWF Oasis set up in 1990 by the Municipality of Premosello Chiovenda and the Verbania branch of the WWF to protect the last remaining lowland woodland in the Toce Valley. The forest once extended across the whole of the Ossola Valley and is now drastically reduced in size and fragmented. This area is very rich in biodiversity and protected by the WWF, allowing you to admire and learn about it thanks to informative boards describing the animal species in the area.

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Description

From the historic centre of Vogogna, skirt the Palazzo Pretorio and descend along Via Lossetti Mandelli until you cross Via Nazionale. Follow Via Nazionale for a short stretch along the cycle lane as far as a crossing and then take Via Ponte di Megolo. Immediately after the railway underpass, turn left and follow a dirt road that then becomes a cycle path. The route then winds through flowering meadows, crops and majestic trees until you arrive at and go through the Bosco Tenso WWF Oasis. The cycle path ends just before the railway underpass.
There are two options from here:

  • Pass under the railway and go towards the provincial road. Cycle along the road for about one kilometre (2/3 mile) towards Cuzzago and just after the bridge over a side stream, take the first underpass on the right and follow the dirt track as far as Cuzzago.
  • Instead of using the underpass, turn right, cycling along the railway line and follow the unpaved, mixed cycle path for about a kilometre (2/3 mile), to the confluence of the Toce River and the Crotta River. Here the track stops briefly and then continues straight across the water. Cross the river, which is almost always dry, and climb up the other side to take the off-road cycle path that continues to Cuzzago through corn fields. Arriving at the underpass that leads to Cuzzago train station, follow signs until you come across the provincial road just before the Migiandone bridge over the Toce River. From here, be careful and follow the provincial road, which rarely has heavy traffic. Cross Migiandone bridge and along the road you will reach Punta di Migiandone, with its large square distinguished by two imposing cannons that mark the beginning of the Cadorna Line footpaths. From the square, take the dirt cycle path to Lago delle Rose. Alternatively, from Punta di Migiandone, turn left onto a stretch of cycle track that allows you to see the Fondovalle bunkers belonging to the Cadorna Line First World War military fortifications, reaching the straight road between Migiandone and Ornavasso. Along internal village roads or on the main road you’ll eventually reach the centre of Ornavasso.

Useful info

Starting point

Vogogna, 225 metres (740 ft) above sea level

Route

Vogogna, Bosco Tenso WWF Oasis, Cuzzago, Ponte di Migiandone, Migiandone, Punta di Migiandone, Lago delle Rose, Ornavasso

Ascent

20 m (65 ft)

Maximum height reached

225 metres (740 ft) above sea level (Vogogna)

Lenght

19.2 km (12 miles), 5.2 km (3 1/4 miles) of cycle paths, 7.8 km (4 3/4 miles) of dirt tracks, 2.1 km (1 1/2 miles) of secondary paved roads and 4.1 km (2 1/2 mile) of main paved roads.

Cyclability

Total

Best time of the year

All year round

Area

Ossola Plain

Ideal for
Everybody
You will discover
Nature
Sport
Guide to itineraries and useful info
Ideal for
Everybody
You will discover
Nature
Sport
Guide to itineraries and useful info
Choose your
mountain guide
IAT di Domodossola
Piazza Matteotti (inside the railway station)
28845 Domodossola (VB)
See map
Choose your
tour or nature guide

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