Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 30, 2026

Val Formazza

The Val Formazza is a valley in the Lepontine Alps, in the Piedmontese province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italy. Bordering Switzerland, it represents the northernmost part of Val d'Ossola and Piedmont.

Last revised
Jun 30, 2026
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≈ 1 min
Length
334 w
Citations
16
Source
Toce waterfall source ↗
Morasco Lake source ↗

The Val Formazza (Walser: Pomattertal; Ossolano: Val Formassa) is a valley in the Lepontine Alps, in the Piedmontese province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italy. Bordering Switzerland, it represents the northernmost part of Val d'Ossola and Piedmont.1234

The river Toce flows through the valley, forming the Toce waterfall. Seven hydroelectric reservoirs were built in the valley in the 20th century: lakes Morasco, Sabbione, Toggia, Vannino, Castel, Busin, and Sruer.1256

The valley is surrounded by several three-thousanders, the highest of which is the Blinnenhorn, followed by the Siedel Rothorn, Basòdino, Ofenhorn, Punta del Sabbione, Kastelhorn, Punta dei Camosci, Corno di Ban and Monte Giove. Ten mountain huts are located on its mountains.1278

Two municipalities are located in the valley, Premia and Formazza, the latter of which is home to a Walser community.12910

Much of the valley (22,233 hectares) is covered by a Special Protection Area as part of the Natura 2000 network.

References

References

  1. Formazza Valley. Val d'Ossola.
  2. Val Formazza. Pro Loco Formazza.
  3. Renato Armelloni, Alpi Lepontine: Sempione, Formazza, Vigezzo : Leone, Helsenhorn, Cervandone, Arbola, Blinnenhorn, Basòdino, Fiorera, Biela, Pioda, Pioda di Crana, Guida dei Monti d'Italia, n. 18
  4. Marco De Ambrosis, Marco Valsesia, Val Formazza: escursioni e itinerari per tutti, Zanetti, 2010
  5. Renato Armelloni, Alpi Lepontine: Sempione, Formazza, Vigezzo : Leone, Helsenhorn, Cervandone, Arbola, Blinnenhorn, Basòdino, Fiorera, Biela, Pioda, Pioda di Crana, Guida dei Monti d'Italia, n. 18
  6. Marco De Ambrosis, Marco Valsesia, Val Formazza: escursioni e itinerari per tutti, Zanetti, 2010
  7. Renato Armelloni, Alpi Lepontine: Sempione, Formazza, Vigezzo : Leone, Helsenhorn, Cervandone, Arbola, Blinnenhorn, Basòdino, Fiorera, Biela, Pioda, Pioda di Crana, Guida dei Monti d'Italia, n. 18
  8. Marco De Ambrosis, Marco Valsesia, Val Formazza: escursioni e itinerari per tutti, Zanetti, 2010
  9. Renato Armelloni, Alpi Lepontine: Sempione, Formazza, Vigezzo : Leone, Helsenhorn, Cervandone, Arbola, Blinnenhorn, Basòdino, Fiorera, Biela, Pioda, Pioda di Crana, Guida dei Monti d'Italia, n. 18
  10. Marco De Ambrosis, Marco Valsesia, Val Formazza: escursioni e itinerari per tutti, Zanetti, 2010

46°19′22″N 8°23′13″E / 46.32278°N 8.38694°E / 46.32278; 8.38694