GTA Carcoforo – Rima – Alagna – Otro
On the trail of the Walser
Thursday Carcoforo – Rima
With two private cars, our small GTA group drove up the Simplon into the awakening day, streaks of light in the sky, fantastic cloud images, our “adventure” could begin.
A first stop at Lago d’Orta, “vacation ambience” with espresso and cornetto. In Carcoforo, the enjoyment was over and the challenging ascent began. The uppermost mountain peaks were shrouded in mist, the initial sunshine faded in our favor, because sweating was the order of the day. At the next stop, Sabine spoiled us with
Friday Rima – Alagna
After the tough start the day before, it seemed to be an easy day. The ascent to Alpe Vorco was no longer as steep, but still steady. Starting in the sunshine, there were fascinating views and once again dynamic clouds.
We passed another alpine settlement where the stone houses almost merged with the rock face. Dominic explained a few things along the way and “leveled” the path for us by giving the cattle a good talking to. Once we reached the Colle di Mud, something was brewing and we reached the
Saturday 1000 years of Otro
After a fortifying breakfast consisting of cheese, cold cuts and heavy Valais rye bread (after all, it was carried over two passes), we climbed up to Otro, accompanied by a large number of guests who were all taking part in the 1000-year Walser celebration. We were welcomed by musicians, listened to the speech and enjoyed the procession of representatives of the surrounding communities in their traditional costumes.
Titschi and Italian language pearls
Dominic talked about the Walser people and their historical hikes. There was a lot of laughter over a beer at the party venue. Although we had already finished the tomato soup the previous evening, it was still an irritant, as Dominic detests it. We marveled at the village of Orto with its pretty houses before continuing up to the Belvedere. There, the crumbling mountain station and the mast that had grown into a tree were reminders of better times. Once again, we had a great view of Monte Rosa with the Italian mountain panorama.
Sunday Val Vogna
In the morning, we took the private cars to the quiet Val Vogna, where we tackled our last stage of this year’s GTA – Grande Traversata delle Alpi. The valley welcomed us with quiet groups of hamlets, ancient Walser houses and the constant sound of the wind rustling through the treetops, which accompanied us throughout the day.
Our cultural highlight was the Museo Etnografico Walser in the village of Rabernardo. The carefully preserved rooms, tools and living rooms impressively conveyed how the Walser people had lived and worked here for centuries. You could almost feel how much history is contained in these dark wooden beams.
On the way, we also touched the preparations for the Peccia 1325-2025 commemorative hike – a quiet, touching sign of how alive the memory of the historic Walser fate has remained in this valley.
From Peccia to Sant’Antonio, we finally followed a road that gently led us back to San Antonio and provided a peaceful end to our four-day GTA hike.
Dear fellow hikers,
Thank you a thousand times over for these wonderful days with you. I really appreciated experiencing these four varied, happy and sometimes challenging GTA days together. They were special moments in many ways:
- 1000 years of Otro – a festival full of encounters, music and history
- 700 years of Oro – living Walser culture that accompanies us everywhere
- 1000 sheep in Alagna – and at least as many cheerful impressions
- > 3500 vertical meters – every single step rewards you with views, stories and nature
- Incredibly beautiful places and passes that never ceased to amaze us
I enjoyed every hour with you. Thank you for the fellowship, the humor, the conversations – and for all the memories that remain.
