Discover a holiday apartment in Vocca – Sesia, geology and history

Holiday apartment in Vocca amid history and distinctive buildings

The Chiesa Parrocchiale Pievana di San Maurizio Martire was built between 1769 and 1777. Its interior contains valuable works of artistic and historical interest. The church therefore offers a tangible cultural point of reference for anyone who also wants to experience architecture and art history during their stay.

Another historic building is the Ponte pensile di Isola di Vocca, a 19th-century suspension bridge that is no longer in use today. The old bridge can be viewed from the new bridge; the suspension bridge itself may not be entered. The Oratorio della Madonna della Neve is an old building with architecturally valuable features. Access is possible upon request to the mayor.

Geology and trails around Vocca

The Geosito di Isola di Vocca is included in the UNESCO Sesia Valgrande Geopark. It is freely accessible via trails with suitable trekking equipment. Val Gavala also has a distinct geological profile: following the discovery of a fossil supervolcano, it is considered an area of significant geological interest. Vocca Island 1 is likewise a geological site; an outcrop can be found beneath the bridge over the Gavala stream.

A section of the Gavala stream is designated as a fly-fishing reserve. Near Isola di Vocca, the easy Rivalenti Trail follows the Sesia River to the deep rocks. The trail starts and ends in Isola di Vocca and is 800 m long. Its clear route and known length help you fit this section appropriately into your day’s plans.

Further trail experiences lead through the hamlets and along the slopes of Mount Lavaggio. The Sentiero dell'Arte “Le frazioni alte di Vocca. Uomini e santi sul versante meridionale del monte Lavaggio” is a circular route through Molliane, Fossati and Sassiglioni. It lies on the left side of the valley in hydrological terms, above the parish centre. Excursions to the alpine pastures and the historic aqueducts on Mount Lavaggio also begin from Mogliani. The start of the Chiesa-Colma di Lavaggio trail can be reached from the large municipal car park in Località Chiesa on the SP299.

River sports and craftsmanship as distinctive facets

In the section near Vocca, the Sesia River has the Trancia and Slalom rapids. They are used by canoeists and rafting enthusiasts. Vocca is home to Italy’s first river sports school, which has operated continuously since 1978. Sesia Rafting is located at Località Isola 3, 13020 Vocca VC. These specific connections make the river an important consideration when planning a trip in which exercise and water-based experiences play a role.

Mogliani also represents a craft-based past. Until the 1950s, the village was known for the handcrafted production of baskets, gerle and Valsesian cradles made from small wooden shingles. In Vocca, sporting life today, geological features and traditional regional working practices come together, without limiting a stay to just one type of experience.

When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore first decide on your preferred focus: trails such as the Rivalenti Trail and the Sentiero dell'Arte suit plans involving short or more extensive explorations, while the Sesia, Trancia, Slalom and the river sports school suggest a different daily rhythm. Those interested in culture can combine these themes with the parish church, the old Ponte pensile or the Oratorio. The various starting points in Località Isola, Località Chiesa, Mogliani and the upper hamlets give your travel plans a clear geographical orientation.

Discover more places

If you would like to extend your travel plans to include other places, you can find Bianzè, Piode, Campertogno, Cigliano, Alagna Valsesia, Rimasco, Valduggia and Rimella here.

For the main travel overview: Vercelli.