The Via dei torchi e dei mulini is a historic trail linking the hilly areas of Domodossola and Villadossola, a route that offers insight into the landscape shaped by the ancient agricultural economies of the mountains.
A walk through historic hamlets
The trail winds along the hillside between Villadossola and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sacro Monte Calvario, before continuing towards Bognanco along ancient stone paths. The route passes through the main mountain hamlets of the two municipalities: Anzuno, Tappia, Sogno, Varchignoli, Boschetto and Noga, allowing visitors to retrace the historic routes of merchants, pilgrims and travellers who have crossed these places since the Middle Ages.
Presses, mills and community bread ovens
The trail’s name tells of its purpose: in Tappia, a small hamlet of Villadossola, visitors can see the ancient community bread oven, dating back to 1871, while the evocative stone village of Anzuno is home to a large grape press and mills for grinding rye, direct evidence of the farming way of life of the past.
A trail brought back to life
The route has recently been restored and enhanced thanks to an initiative promoted by the Domodossola CAI Section, with contributions from the Lions Club Domodossola, the municipalities of Domodossola and Villadossola, and support from the Fondazione Cariplo, bringing it back to life for hikers and local history enthusiasts.
A route through history and vineyards
The trail runs through the hilly area surrounding the vineyards of Val d’Ossola, offering views of Sacro Monte Calvario and Villadossola. For information about the route, please refer to the visitOssola listing.
After the walk, a wine tasting at a winery is a natural way to complete the discovery of this historic agricultural landscape.
A route suitable for everyone
The Via dei torchi e dei mulini can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace by families with children too, thanks to its modest elevation gain and mostly well-maintained surface: stops at the historic ovens and presses also become an educational opportunity for younger visitors, curious to discover what life in the mountains was like before the arrival of electricity.
An itinerary to combine with other destinations
The Via dei torchi e dei mulini can easily be combined with other stops in the area, such as a visit to Sacro Monte Calvario or the historic centre of Villadossola, creating a full day that brings together nature, rural history and religious heritage in a single itinerary.
A trail connecting past and present
Walking the Via dei torchi e dei mulini today also means reflecting on how much the relationship between people and the mountains has changed over just a few generations: from a subsistence economy based on the direct use of local resources, the area has moved to a tourism model that enhances those very same places as cultural heritage to be preserved and shared.
One final practical note: wearing comfortable shoes and taking enough water with you is still advisable, even for a relatively easy route like this one.
A trail that tells centuries of rural life, one step at a time.
One trail, many ancient crafts to rediscover.
A trail that still carries the scent of freshly baked bread.
One final note: walking this trail with a local guide adds stories and anecdotes that are unlikely to be found in a traditional guidebook.
One trail, centuries of ancient crafts to rediscover.
One trail, centuries of crafts to rediscover at a leisurely pace.
The Via dei torchi e dei mulini tells an important chapter in the rural economy of Ossola, when the water of streams powered the craft activities of the valley floor: an itinerary that today offers a better understanding of the area’s agricultural roots, not far from the vineyards that still characterise the area.
