From Domodossola, heart of the whole Ossola Valley, there are numerous paths that can be taken on the mountain slopes to discover a past that is rich in the traditions and tales of a whole community. Leaving Domodossola and Villadossola behind and heading into the mountains, a hiking trail opens up crossing a mixed woodland of broad-leaved trees, going from the Sacro Monte of the Calvario to the Antrona Valley.

Winding through the woods are time-worn trails connecting ancient rural villages that have now been abandoned. These settlements, clinging to the mountain slopes, stand on plateaus created from skilfully constructed terracing, and are typified by their simple, stone-built houses belonging to the traditional way of life.

Colletta, Sogno, Tappia, Anzuno and Maianco are the names of these hamlets that still preserve today the images of their past, along with the implements and machines from this unsophisticated Alpine culture.

Enjoying a walk through these centres, immersed in nature, allows you to visually re-live moments of every-day life from the past. At Tappia, you can see the old communal bread oven (dating back to 1871) while the small village of Anzuno still has an old wine press and a series of mills used for grinding the rye which was the staple food of the whole Ossola Valley. Continuing on through the beech and chestnut woods, the path leads to the start of the Antrona Valley, the wild  valley that leads from Villadossola to Antrona Piana.