THE ITINERARY IS ACCESSIBLE FOR TOURISTS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS (Project "FOR ALL Tourism for All All Tourists")
Minimum duration: 1 to 2 days
Difficulty of the route: Medium - High
Length of the route in km: 1.5 km
LOCATION DESCRIPTION
Macugnaga is an alpine village at the foot of the imposing east face of Monte Rosa, at 1327 m above sea level. The history of Macugnaga, often described as the "pearl of the Rosa", began in the 12th century, when the Walsers, a people of Alemannic origin from the Valais, occupied this beautiful dale in the upper Anzasca Valley. The Walser were able to make the most of the high alpine pastures and with their ability to adapt they created one of the most characteristic alpine communities, passing on language, customs and culture from generation to generation. Today, the Walser tradition can be seen in the architecture of the houses in Macugnaga, in the costumes worn by the village women on particular occasions, and in the Titsch language still spoken by the elderly.
INFORMATION
PARKING:
The Municipality of Macugnaga allows vehicles displaying the European disability badge to park in any parking space free of charge.
MUNICIPAL POLICE:
Email: vigili@comune.macugnaga.vb.it – Tel. +39 0324 65009
TOURIST OFFICE:
Piazza Municipio, 6 - Tel. +39 0324 65119
E-mail: iat@comune.macugnaga.vb.it - Site: http://www.macugnaga-monterosa.it/
ACCESSIBLE MUNICIPAL TOILETS
Accessible public toilets are located in Piazza Municipio in the hamlet of Staffa, next to the town hall.
WHAT TO SEE
Macugnaga is an unusual village, made up of many hamlets spread throughout the territory. The hamlets are linked by the main road. There are plenty of narrow streets and paths that allow you to wander around the village without being disturbed by cars and enjoy enchanting views. Some routes, especially those suitable for pushchairs, are also accessible to people using a wheelchair or wheelchairs suitable for routes on uneven roads.
Starting from Piazza del Municipio, in the hamlet of Staffa, the centre of Macugnaga, it is possible to reach the old church and the cemetery, where numerous climbers are buried and where the centuries-old lime tree (13th century) is rooted, with an easy and accessible walk on asphalt ground, in the magical scenery of the eastern slope of Monte Rosa. Returning to Piazza del Municipio, we reach the Macugnaga parish church, whose accessible entrance is located on Via Ludovico Jacchetti 19.
A simple path, which can be followed on foot if you have a fair amount of movement range, with a pushchair or with an electric or manual attachment/wheelchair, but suitable for off-road use, to be done in summer, starts in the hamlet of Staffa and continues towards the Dorf - Chiesa Vecchia. From there, climb up towards the sports centre (the only slight climb on the route) where, after reaching the coffee shop, continue towards the hamlet of Pecetto along the tree-lined panoramic road to the Wasma cross. From the cross, the trail continues towards the chairlift and past the Pecetto car park. The road from Staffa to Opaco is asphalted as long as you are in the village; once you arrive in Via Ripa, you will have to cross a bridge, after which you will find stairs that go up to the hamlet of Opaco, which is on a dirt road. The best way to reach Opaco is from Pecetto, where there is a car park from which you can descend to the Opaco dirt track.
Not to be missed is the ascent to Monte Moro (mt. 2868) taking the cable car, in Via Monte Rosa. The lift is equipped with stairlifts, and the second section of the cable car takes you to the viewpoint for Monte Moro. From the Belvedere you can access the lodge and enjoy the wonderful terrace overlooking Monte Rosa (not to be missed), unfortunately there are about ten steps and no stair lift has been provided. For information please contact funivie@macugnaga-monterosa.it – tel +39 0324 65050. From the car park 2.5 kilometres from the Town Hall Square, in the direction of Pecetto - Piazzale delle Seggiovie 9 - it is possible to take the chairlift to Alpe Burki. After the ascent by chairlift, which is very scenic, you arrive at the alp and there is a refreshment point just a few metres from the arrival point. To get there, there is a dirt road with differences in level, stones and a few steps, so you will need significant help from an accompanying person. To get on the chairlift, you have to sit inside the open cabin with your legs dangling, the wheelchair is placed manually in another cabin. As this is a procedure that needs to be carried out carefully, it is advisable to contact the facilities for further information: tel +39 032465060 - belvedere@macugnagatrasporti.it
From the Town Hall Square, a five-minute drive towards the valley floor, it is possible to visit the the Guia gold mine, the first mine to be reopened in Italy for cultural purposes. The mine was active for over two hundred years, from 1710 to 1961. At its entrance you can admire the mercury amalgam mill made active by the thrust of water: this method was used in the 1920s and 1930s to separate gold from sterile materials. Closed in 1961 due to lack of productivity, the mine is now well equipped to host guided tours for a fee, during which it is possible to see authentic strands of auriferous pyrite along the entire 1.5 km route. The excursion is fully accessible, the terrain is flat and without differences in level or impediments. You can park your car in front of the mine. For info: tel. +39 340 3953869 - minieradoro@libero.it
OVERALL ACCESSIBILITY DESCRIPTION:
The route is accessible for people with reduced mobility. For people using a manual wheelchair, we recommend the presence of an experienced accompanying person, particularly on the paths outside the centre and at Burki Alp.
Path maker: Fabrizio Marta - Rotex
Author of texts: Fabrizio Marta - Rotex
