VARALLO, fraz. Crevola – Res o Bec d’Ovaga

This is the most popular route to reach this peak from which it is possible to see one of the best views of lower and upper Valsesia, the imposing Monte Rosa and the chain of the Swiss Alps. It is very popular in all seasons.

The route can start from the hamlet of Varallo Crevola, near the parish church, or by driving up to the village of Casavei.

Starting from Crevola, proceeding left along the main road in the direction of Parone, turn right at house number 134 taking an alley thus reaching the mouth of the trail. Going uphill, you will cross the Crevola-Parone carriage road at a bend. Proceeding along the path to the right, you reach an alpine pasture and then the plateau of Alpe Cerei, 708m.

Continuing uphill through a mixed forest, you come to a ruin and enter a beech forest, thus coming out at the wide pasture of Casavei, 809m, an alpine pasture with several repurposed houses, where the carriage road ends.

The hamlet of Casavei can also be reached by car, and begin the walk from this point.

Continue on a mule track and then continue on the path at the edge of the meadow that touches Rio di Casavei. You arrive along Casavei-Alpe Campo service road at Sella di Taglione, 986m, and follow it to Alpe Campo, 1090m. Continue on the trail through a coniferous forest, and passing the ruins of Alpe Volpera, 1130m, you reach Alpe del Pastore or Alpe Res, at 1216m.

Proceed up and over the Riale stream, and continue in hairpin bends to reach the Spanna-Osella Refuge, run by the Valsesian Section of the ANA.

Passing between the small chapel and the hut, in a few minutes a steep section leads to the summit of Res or Bec d’Ovaga, 1631m. Here there is a hut, a small chapel, and, climbing a few more minutes past the chapel, you reach the cross on top of the mountain, from where there is a 360-degree view of the Alpine arc and Monte Rosa.

For those who wish to continue, quite popular is the traverse along the ridge that beyond the Sella di Vazzosa, over the peaks of Castello di Gavala, Monte Luvot and the Sella della Rosetta leads to the pastures of Monte Tovo and to Foresto.