Discover Scareno: Chestnut Forests and Local History

Trails through Chestnut Forests and Mountain Landscapes

The route from Scareno to Alpe Piaggia and back is designated as route R11. The Giir di Curt di Scareno is a hiking trail through the alpine farmsteads known as „Curt“; following a series of steady hairpin bends, it climbs through old chestnut forests to Alpe Piaggia. Approximately halfway along the trail from Scareno to Alpe Piaggia lies the Ponte del Dragone. A centuries-old chestnut forest extends on both sides of the trail between this bridge and the alpine pasture. Alpe Piaggia is also a starting point for ascents to the summits of Monte Zeda and Marona.

Further trail connections lead towards Aurano. The Sentiero del Patrimonio di Aurano has Aurano and Scareno as its starting and return points. A mule track connects the two villages and passes by the Vallone dei Mulinasch. Between them lies the valley of the Rio Scarnasca; on the slope above it stand numerous farmsteads with buildings scattered around. Choosing accommodation in Scareno thus gives you a destination where longer walks, observing the landscape and historical discoveries can be combined.

Traces of Gold Prospecting and More Recent History

The Ponte del Dragone is also associated with a story from local tradition: its name is said to derive from a family that held the mining rights to a small gold mine in the 17th century. A programme run by Parco Nazionale Val Grande followed the trail from Scareno to the Ponte del Dragone to provide information about the gold prospectors of Val Grande. At an event held by the same park, access to the Pian Vadà bivouac from Scareno was also discussed.

Shortly before Alpe Piaggia, a small monument with an iron cross on the ascending trail from Scareno commemorates the partisans who fell on 16 June 1944. Near Scareno, an ossuary was built between 1945 and 1946; it preserves the remains of several partisans from the Cesare Battisti Brigade. Alongside nature, these sites give the trails around Scareno a historical dimension.

Churches, Architecture and Traditional Festivals

The Chiesa di San Michele was built in the 18th century and later extended and embellished. Its finely decorated interior has a vaulted ceiling. At Alpe Piaggia, the Oratorio della Madonna del Rosario has preserved its original architecture almost unchanged. Together with the old residential building in Scareno, these structures reveal different forms of regional architecture.

The festival calendar also shapes the character of the village. The Madonna del Carmine is celebrated in Scareno on the third Sunday in July, while the San Michele festival takes place on the first Sunday in October. A traditional festival is held at Alpe Piaggia every year on the second Sunday in July. For a culinary break, the Circolo di Scareno offers lunch, dinner and light meals.

Choose a Holiday Apartment in Scareno Based on Your Travel Interests

If you want to focus on activity and landscapes when choosing your holiday apartment, the trails to Alpe Piaggia, the Giir di Curt di Scareno and the connection to Aurano are the main attractions. If you are more interested in history and regional traditions, the Chiesa di San Michele, the Oratorio, the memorial sites and the festivals lead to other facets of the same destination. This allows you to base your accommodation choice on the daily rhythm you are seeking for your stay in Scareno.

You can also discover Arizzano, Trarego Viggiona, Verbania, Premeno, Beé, Stresa, Omegna and Formazza.

For the higher-level travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.