Rimella is a magical place, but today we want to invite you to discover a route that will truly capture your heart: the hike from Santa Maria di Fobello to the stunning Lake Baranca.
Welcome to the heart of Val Mastallone! If you are our guests at Walser House, you know that Rimella is a magical place, but today we want to invite you to discover an itinerary that will make your heart race: the hike from Santa Maria di Fobello to the splendid Lake Baranca.
Grab your backpack and get ready: you will walk on a story that spans over a century, along paths that once hosted the "Grands Tours" of 19th-century mountaineers.
Travel tips: bring shoes with a good sole, plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen, because the route is mostly in the sun.
Your departure: Santa Maria di Fobello
Your journey begins in Santa Maria di Fobello (1106 m). Leave your car where the paved road ends, and take trail no. 517, which is part of the GTA and the Via Alpina. Before you lies a magnificent stone mule track, completed in 1887, that follows the course of the Mastallone stream.
Climbing through alpine pastures and waterfalls
Go ahead and let yourselves be cradled by the sound of water. Pass through the alpine pastures of Catolino and Lungostretto, right in front of the stunning double waterfall of Pissoni, which is located roughly at this point.
A little higher up, you will cross the stream on a bridge: here take a moment to admire the majestic clearing of beech trees that surrounds you.
Continue the ascent until you reach Alpe Baranca (1600 m). Here you will find a group of renovated huts and the Rifugio Punto Tappa GTA, where you can breathe in the authentic alpine atmosphere and also stop to savor local products, such as ricotta and the Valsesian “toma”!
Don't miss the unique Chapel of the Alpini, intriguingly carved inside a massive boulder!
The enchantment of the Lake and the charm of Villa Aprilia
As you continue to climb along the winding roads, the view will open up to the impressive waterfall formed by the waters descending directly from the lake. And here, after about 2 hours or a little more of walking, you will see Lake Baranca (1775 m), a glacial mirror of water (literally... in fact, the water is freezing cold!) which is the true source of the Mastallone.
Skirt the lake and reach Alpe Selle (1824 m). Here, among the ancient huts, you will come across the remains of Villa Aprilia (also known as Villa Lancia).
Built in 1907 in the Liberty style and named after a Lancia car model, it now lies in ruins after being destroyed during World War II. It is a place of incredible charm, suspended between the past and the present.
The Hill of Baranca
One last effort will take you to the Colle di Baranca (1818 m). From this historic pass, which connects Valsesia with the Valle Olocchia and Ossola, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley below.
If you are tireless walkers, know that from here the trail continues towards Colle d’Egua, but even here, among the meadows rich in alpine flora, you will have reached paradise.
Return
After filling your eyes with beauty, retrace your steps along the mule path.
We are waiting for you in Rimella, ready to welcome you into the warmth of our home to conclude this unforgettable day together.
About Us: Bianca & Martino
Hello! We are Bianca and Martino, the souls behind this blog. Our story is a bridge between Romagna and the Alps.
Martino grew up among the slopes and pastures of Rimella, carrying in his heart the memories of summers spent in Val Mastallone and winter skiing on Monte Rosa. Despite life in Ravenna, the pull of his roots has always been incredibly strong.
Bianca, from Ravenna, discovered this corner of Piedmont for love: she fell in love first with Martino and, shortly after, with the wild beauty of Valsesia. In 2026, she decided to change her life, leaving her "permanent job" to turn a passion into reality and dedicate herself full-time to managing the diffused hotel Walser House.
Every summer we live among these mountains, and our purpose is to share with you the experiences that make this place unique. We want to help you discover what it truly means to "unplug": here, among the stone houses and the sound of the streams, we have learned the true meaning of living "slow."
We look forward to welcoming you to Val Mastallone to show you our idea of home.