Saint Bernard Trail | Stage 4 Domodossola – Vogogna

From Mergozzo and Gravellona, routes existed since prehistoric times and were later improved during the Roman era. They led north to the upper Rhone Valley through the Ossola region. Sections of this ancient route have been uncovered at Gravellona, Candoglia, Vogogna, and Beura Cardezza. Two tombstones, the first inscribed in the Latin alphabet and the second in the northern Etruscan alphabet, likely belonged to the Lepontii people, marking evidence from the period of Romanization. Here, there was a port on the Toce River, first controlled by the Knights of St. John and later managed by the Knights of Malta, who opened a hospice there. The route continues along the state road to Vogogna, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, featuring the Pretorio Palace and Visconti Castle.