Anzasca Valley

The Anzasca Valley is defined by the presence of the Mount Rosa Massif and is, therefore, dominated by steep cliffs, strong colour contrasts and peculiar shapes of glacial accumulation among the vast glaciers and perennial snowfields.

The forests are still the predominant element of the landscape and a vital component of the local economy: productive and protective function and landscape environment.

The lands used are predominantly the higher altitude grasslands, generally rupicolous. In these difficult environments, the consequences of the progressive abandonment of grazing activities are evident in the characteristics of the landscape. With the passage of time it has evolved into a land of shrubs and bushes where once there were meadows and glades which in turn were torn away from the forest for grazing purposes.

The valley's animal husbandry activities produce milk and cheeses but meat production is low. The sheep-goat raising sector, albeit in extensive forms and sometimes not linked to professional agricultural activities, essentially provides the meat usually sold during the Easter season.
The area is strongly oriented to the safeguarding of alpine bird species and is the reproductive site for numerous bird species typically alpine.

There are two cultures present in the valley: in Upper Anzasca Valley the Waldensian culture prevails while in the eastern part of the valley towards the Ossola Valley, the Latin culture dominates.

We would like to point out the important pathways through which the Waldensian colonization took place and which were also used for many centuries for commercial and economic exchanges with other Waldensian communities (pathways for the Colle del Turlo and the Valsesia; pathways for Mount Moro and Saas Almagell Grande Sentiero Walser); there is also the ski resort complex of Macugnaga.

Privileged points of observation identified in the PAYS.DOC “ Good practices for the landscape” created by a virtual observatory of the Mediterranean landscape.