The best cycling routes around Parco Naturale dell'Alpe Veglia e dell'Alpe Devero

Handsome

"Kaspar Stockalper (* 14 July 1609 in Brig; † 29 April 1691 ibid) was a Swiss entrepreneur and politician. He invested the large dowry that his fiancée Magdalena Zumbrunn brought into the marriage in the expansion of the mule track over the pass, today Via Stockalper. He also organised the transport of goods and people over the Simplon. He managed to keep the pass out of the chaos of war, he made himself useful to both sides and expanded his influence in the Valais. His second marriage - Magdalena Zumbrunn died after three years - to Cäcilia von Riedmatten consolidated his position. In addition to the monopoly on larch resin, tinder fungus and snails, which were particularly sought after in France, Stockalper secured the monopoly on the transport of goods over the Simplon and, as a crowning achievement in 1648, the salt monopoly. He continued to increase his wealth through speculation and trade. He ensured that his family became related to other influential Valais families, whom he helped to advance in their careers and thereby created dependencies. He distributed offices and money in a calculating manner. At the French court he exchanged mercenaries and loans for trading privileges, acquired the assets of insolvent debtors and maintained his own mines in which he mined iron, lead, copper and gold. Among other things, he owned the Gondo gold mine, the old hospice on the Simplon Pass and the Stockalper Tower in Gondo as well as other extensive properties from Milan to Lyon. The backbone of his power continued to be the Simplon Pass with its bridges, customs stations, warehouses, inns and the Stockalper Canal, which, however, was not destined for long-term success. His trading empire stretched from the Adriatic to the English Channel and from southern Spain to northern Germany." (Source: Wikipedia)

An interesting building from a trading empire of the Baroque period, which you should at least take a little time to see, despite the quick descent from the Simplon Pass: "The Stockalper Tower in Gondo in the canton of Valais in Switzerland was built between 1666 and 1685 by Kaspar von Stockalper. It stands at the entrance to the Gondo Gorge. The entire transport of goods by the muleteers, which developed on the Stockalper Trail between Valais and Italy, passed by the Stockalper Tower. The Stockalper Tower was a warehouse and transshipment point for the goods that Stockalper had transported in large quantities over the pass. The muleteers found accommodation and supplies in the tower. In later years the tower served as a workshop, shop and warehouse. During the Alpine flood disaster on October 14, 2000, about half of the tower was torn away by a landslide; 13 people lost their lives in Gondo. With the help of the Swiss population, various institutions and the Stockalper Tower Foundation, it was possible to repair the collapsed part. of the five-story Stockalper Tower and to renovate the entire building." (Source: Wikipedia)

On the Sempione road, towards Crevoladossola, before the San Giovanni tunnel, you can admire the Roman bridge over the Diveria, called Ponte Nuovo because it was built around 1300 AD. It was intended to replace another bridge built by Augustus, which was destroyed by flooding from the torrent and whose remains can still be admired today in the middle of the river immediately after the tunnel.

Bugliaga is a very small town inhabited by very few people near the Divedro Valley which also leads to Switzerland, via paths. The road is narrow so be careful when going downhill!

A very beautiful and characteristic small hamlet, still inhabited. It leads to the Divedro Valley and was once a passage to Switzerland, which can still be reached via paths up to the Sempione pass. It is worth a calm view.

A very beautiful and characteristic small hamlet, still inhabited. It leads to the Divedro Valley and was once a passage to Switzerland, which can still be reached via paths up to the Sempione pass. It is worth a calm view.

Varzo is a small town near the Simplon Pass, from here you can leave for a beautiful tour in the direction of San Domenico or Trasquera.