Draft:Bove Path

The Bove Path (Sentiero Bove) is a hiking route in the Italian Alps, having as starting and finishing point the town of Cicogna, which is entirely in Piedmont, a region found in northern Italy. This path is recognized for being the first via ferrata (iron path) and Alta Via (high-altitude trail) in the region. Located in the Val Grande National Park, the trail is named after Giacomo Bove (23 April 1852 – 9 August 1887), an Italian explorer and navigator. Bove’s death led to the creation of the path as a memorial to his legacy.

Il Sentiero Bove
Length	36 km (22 mi)
Location	Val Grande National Park, Italy
Trailheads	Circular Trail
Use	Hiking, via ferrata
Elevation change	3,500 m (11,500 ft)
Lowest point	463 m (1,519 ft)
Difficulty	Only experts
Months	February - October
Website	https://www.parcovalgrande.it/Esentiero-bove.php

Geographical Location

The Bove Path is located within the Val Grande National Park, which is entirely in Piedmont, a region found in northern Italy. It is located within the borders of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province. The path offers panoramic views of both the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps. This protected area is recognized as one of the largest wilderness reserves in Italy.

The trail is surrounded by notable features:

To the south and southwest, the trail offers views of Lake Maggiore, one of the largest lakes in Italy on the north leads to the Vigezzo Valley, also called the "Valley of the Painters" and the northwest side is bordered by the Valle Cannobina. To the west, the trail overlooks the Ossola valley, a major valley system that connects to the Simplon Pass and provides access to Switzerland.

History

Origins as a Pastoral Path

The origins of the Bove Path can be traced back to ancient times when it was primarily used by local shepherds and farmers for the seasonal movement of livestock. The route, originally a network of pastoral paths, facilitated the movement of cattle from the Verbano region to the higher Ossola valleys in search of better grazing areas during the summer months. These paths were essential for the transhumance (seasonal migration of livestock) and were vital to the local economy, allowing the livestock to graze in the mountains during the warmer months and return to the lower valleys during the winter.

The historical role of these pastoral paths contributed to the development of the modern-day Bove Path, linking not just geographical areas but also the agricultural and cultural heritage of the region.

Commemorating Giacomo Bove

On the 31st of July 1880, a fundraising event was held in Intra to support Giacomo Bove’s, a renowned Italian explorer of the 19th century, planned Antarctic expedition. After Bove’s untimely death on the 9th of august 1887, the funds raised were redirected to construct a memorial in his honor. This idea inspired the creation of the trail itself, which emerged in 1889.

Development of the Bove Path

In 1890, the CAI Verbano (Italian Alpine Club) appointed Antonio Garoni, a renowned local alpine guide, to design and construct the path. The trail was built along the ridges between Monte Zeda and Bocchetta di Terza, and the first section was completed in 1891. The final extension to Bocchetta di Scaredi was finished by 1892 .

The Bove Path was groundbreaking, as it combined mountaineering techniques with hiking. It featured the use of iron ladders and chains fixed to rock faces, aiding climbers in navigating difficult terrain. By 1892, it was recognized as one of the first multi-day hiking routes in the Alps, connecting the Verbano and Ossola valleys through a rugged, high-altitude landscape. The trail quickly gained attention, with Carlo Gabardini, the vice president of the CAI Verbano-Intra Section, calling it "the prince of Italian paths" in 1899, noting its innovative nature as the first high-altitude trail and via ferrata in Italy.

Decline and Rediscovery

After World War II, the Bove Path fell into disrepair. Harsh weather conditions, lack of maintenance, and the passage of time led to the deterioration of the path, especially in its more challenging sections. By the late 1970s, only traces of the original trail remained, hidden in the rocky folds of the Torrione section. In 1977, members of the CAI Verbano-Intra branch, including Gualtiero Rognoni, began a concerted effort to rediscover and restore the trail. Over several years, they retraced the original path from Monte Zeda to Bocchetta di Terza, uncovering remnants of Garoni’s work, though parts of the trail, particularly in the Torrione area, were still concealed.

The major breakthrough came in 1983, when Achille Montani, another experienced guide, discovered the original iron anchors installed by Garoni on Monte Torrione. This discovery enabled the full restoration of the trail. By 1984, the Bove Path was reopened to the public, fully restored and secured with chains. Further restoration efforts were carried out in the 1990s to mark the centenary of the trail and ensure its safety and accessibility.

Sign for directions on the Bove Path

Despite setbacks, including the removal of chains by vandals in 1987, local communities and the Val Grande National Park remained committed to maintaining the path. In 2019, a final series of interventions were carried out to secure the section between Piancavallone and Monte Zeda, ensuring the trail’s continued longevity.

Modern-Day Status

Today, the Bove Path remains a popular but demanding trail for experienced hikers. It is typically completed in 3-4 days and is considered one of the most challenging hiking routes in the Italian Alps. The trail includes sections that require both hiking and climbing, making it a combination of an alpine climbing route and a scenic hiking path.

The trail is maintained by the CAI Verbano and the Val Grande National Park, with regular updates to improve safety and accessibility. The trail is part of the Alta Via del Verbano, a long-distance hiking route that highlights the natural beauty and historical significance of the area.

The Bove Path today embodies both the spirit of alpine exploration and the pastoral history of the Val Grande area, linking present-day hikers with the agricultural and cultural roots of the region.

Trail Overview and Detailed Route of the Bove Path

The route of the Bove Path

This demanding circular trail covers approximately 36 kilometers, with a total elevation gain of around 3,500 meters, making it suitable only for experienced hikers with a high level of physical fitness and alpine trekking experience, stating at level EE (Escursionisti Esperti) on the CAI difficulty level.

From Cicogna to Alpe Curgei

The trail starts in the mountain village of Cicogna at 732 meters elevation. Hikers follow the historic Sutermeister road, a traditional mule track that descends to the Buia Bridge over the Rio Pogallo. This section involves a steady ascent through dense woodlands, reaching Alpe Curgei at 1,358 meters. This area is known for its lush forests and serves as an introduction before the more strenuous sections ahead.

From Pian Cavallone to Monte Zeda

From Alpe Curgei, the path climbs towards Pian Cavallone, offering views of the Monte Rosa massif. The trail then heads north to Passo della Forcola, followed by a steep ascent to the summit of Pizzo Marona. This segment features exposed ridgelines that demand careful footing, ultimately leading to the prominent peak of Monte Zeda (2,156 meters). Monte Zeda is historically significant due to the Linea Cadorna, a series of World War I military fortifications.

From Monte Zeda to Passo delle Crocette

Descending from Monte Zeda, hikers reach the alpine pastures of Alpe Fornà, before ascending again along the ridge dividing Val Pogallo and Val Cannobina. This section leads to Crocette pass, a narrow and exposed mountain pass with chains installed for safety. The trail also crosses near the Torri di Terza, characterized by rocky outcrops that present some of the most technically challenging parts of the route.

From Passo delle Crocette to Bocchetta di Campo

View of the hut at the Bocchetta di Campo on the Bove path

Continuing along the eastern ridge, the trail skirts the Cima delle Marsicce, providing views of the surrounding wilderness. Hikers then descend to the secluded valley known as Il Fiume and reach the Cortechiuso bivouac. From here, a climb leads to Bocchetta di Scaredi, followed by a traverse to Bocchetta di Campo. Notably, this section has limited water sources, requiring hikers to carry ample supplies. The route passes close to Monte Pedum, considered the heart of the Val Grande wilderness.

Return to Cicogna

The final segment involves descending through the alpine meadows of Alpe Cavrua and then a steep drop to Corte di Pogallo, a former pastoral settlement.The trail reconnects with the historic Sutermeister road, guiding hikers back to Cicogna, thus completing the loop.

Terrain and Iron Path

Parts of the Bove Path trail resemble a iron path, particularly between Monte Zeda and Passo delle Crocette. Here, hikers will encounter chains and iron footholds secured to steep rock faces.Due to the trail's exposed nature, it is recommended to carry helmets, harnesses, and climbing gloves for safety.

mountain huts and bivouacs	Mountain	Elevation	Coordinates	Beds	Water	Type of heating	Type of entry
Bivacco del Gufo all'Alpe Curgei	Alpe Curgei	1.350m	46.0037996N, 8.5179448E	8	yes	wood stove	open
Rifugio CAI Pian Cavallone	Pian Cavallone	1.530m	46.0133452N, 8.5393274E	24	yes	wood stove	guarded
Bivacco Ubaldo Cavallasca "Cucciolo"	Alpe Fornà	1.710m	46.0500036N, 8.5392201E	13	yes		open
Bivacco Lidesh	Alpe Lidesh	1.590m	46.0757975N, 8.5200644E	5	yes	wood stove	open
Bivacco Cortechiuso	Cortechiuso	1.883m	46.0680291N, 8.4847672E	8	yes	wood stove	open
Bivacco Pian di Boit	Alpi di Boit	1122m	46.0514547N, 8.5122723E	8	not guaranteed	wood stove	open
Bivacco Vou	Alpe Vou	1.410m	46.0703054N, 8.4948456E	8	yes, river	wood stove	open
Bivacco Scaredi	Alpe Scaredi	1.841m	46.0651068N, 8.4707792E	15	yes	wood stove	open
Bivacco Bocchetta di Campo	Bocchetta di Campo	1.994m	46.0471851N, 8.4595585E	13	not guaranteed	wood stove	open

Geology

Metamorphic Rock Composition

The Val Grande National Park, home to the Bove Path, is primarily composed of metamorphic rocks, including gneiss and schist. These rocks were formed under high pressure and temperature conditions during the Alpine orogeny, the geological event that shaped the Alps millions of years ago. The rugged terrain and steep cliffs along the trail are a direct result of these intense geological processes.

The most distinctive mountains in Val Grande, such as Monte Pedum, Monte Proman, Corni di Nibbio, Cima Sasso, and Cima della Laurasca, are composed primarily of dark rocks like amphibolites, serpentinites, and peridotites. These rocks are characterized by their greenish to black hues, high density, and exceptional hardness, making them highly resistant to weathering. Geologically, these formations are part of the "Ivrea-Verbano Zone", a section of deep continental crust originating from the transitional zone with the earth's mantle, at depths of approximately 35 to 50 kilometers.

The park also showcases the long-standing relationship between humans and stone, which has been used as a building material since ancient times. A significant aspect of the park’s history is its connection to the Candoglia pink marble quarries. Since the late 14th century, this marble has been extracted for the construction of iconic cathedral of Milan. On October 24, 1387, Gian Galeazzo Visconti granted the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo ownership of all the forests in the Val Grande region, between Cima Corte Lorenzo and Ompio, to ensure a steady supply of timber for quarry operations and construction efforts.

UNESCO Recognition

View from Monte Zeda on the Bove Path

The park is recognized by UNESCO as an area of geological significance, highlighting its valuable contribution to the understanding of Alpine metamorphism and tectonics. Along the trail, visitors can observe geological features such as folded rock layers, fault lines, and mineral veins, which showcase the dynamic history of the region.

Glacial Influence

In addition to metamorphism, glacial activity has also shaped the landscape. During the last ice age, glaciers carved deep valleys and left behind features like cirques and moraines, observed by hikers on the Bove Path.

Flora

Val Grande National Park has a varied flora thanks to its diverse environments, from humid valley floors to high alpine peaks. Hikers can see many of biodiversity along the path.

Lake Maggiore’s moderating influence on the climate has encouraged the growth of abundantly vegetation. In the lower valley, mixed forests of broadleaf trees dominate, with chestnuts as the most prevalent species. Higher up, the landscape changes dramatically, with vast beech forests spreading across humid, sheltered slopes. In some areas, like Alpe Boschelli, you can find centuries-old trees that have survived natural events.

The gorges are home to specialized vegetation, with yew, alder and maple trees clinging to rocky walls. Further up, alpine meadows are colored, with blooming alpine Columbine, mountain arnica, and yellow gentian. Wetlands, such as those near Alpe Scaredi, add to this biodiversity, providing a habitat for rare species like the alpine tulip and cottongrass.

The park is a refuge for many rare and protected species, some of which are unique to the Alps. Among them are wild orchids, such as the spotted orchid and the military orchid, along with carnivorous plants like the round-leaved sundew.

Human activity has shaped Val Grande’s plant life. The abandonment of traditional agriculture, forestry exploitation, and tourism have all affected the makeup and spread of plant communities. However, with the establishment of the national park, measures have been taken to protect and preserve this place.

The flora of Val Grande National Park is an example of nature’s resilience and adaptability. Protecting it is essential to preserving biodiversity and giving future generations the chance to experience these landscapes.

Fauna

Val Grande National Park is home of numerous protected species, making it a site of interest for academics and experts in the research of natural evolution after human exploitation, giving rise to the recognition of species of european interest. The fauna, due to the variety of climates and vegetation in Val Grande, be home to a variety of fauna that hikers can encounter on the Bove Path.

There are around 138 species of birds, like the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon, the black grouse, the hazel grouse and the eurasian eagle-owl stand out. In addition to a variety of woodpeckers such as the black woodpecker and some passeriformes, the Western Bonelli's warbler and the red-backed shrike. As well as the fishing falcon, and small birds such as the woodlark, the red-backed shrike and the calandra lark.

Within the park there are also populations of herbivores such as chamois and roe deer, while the population of deers has been consolidated in recent years. Some of the carnivores that can be found are fox, beech marten, marten, badger and wease, over the past year there have also been some sightings of wolves and bears in the area, as well as mammals, which include examples of rodents such as dormice and wild mice, and 16 species of bats.

Reptiles such as a variety of vipers, among which are the Aesculapian snake and the Smooth snake, and Viviparous and western green lizards, are found in places further away from the path since they prefer spaces less frequented by man.

Finally, hikers can also find on the path European level protected species of insects, which include beetles such as the Rosalia alpine, the Osmoderna eremita and the Gnorimus variabilis.

Gallery

View of the village of Cicogna with Monte Zeda overshadowing the village in the background

See also

• Alta Via 1
• Alta Via dei Monti Liguri
• Grand Italian Trail
• Selvaggio Blu (Sardinia)