The Toce Cycle Route “Ciclovia del Toce” is a splendid itinerary that runs along the banks of the River Toce to Lake Maggiore.
The route starts from the railway station of Domodossola and follows cycle paths, agricultural roads, secondary paved roads and sections on ordinary road, and crossing the valley floor of Ossola to the Fondo Toce Nature Reserve it ends at the railway station of Verbania – Pallanza.
The Toce Cycle Route coincides in part with the itinerary “La Via del Mare” declared by Regione Piemonte “route of regional interest”, which starts from Domodossola and ends in Imperia, crossing from north to south all the Piedmont.

The route starts from the station of Domodossola, Borgo della Cultura, and after a first stretch on ordinary road, near the bridge of Mizzoccola enters the cycle path that runs along the right bank of the Toce River. Crossing thickets and clearings, in Villadossola the route goes around the Hill of Sport. After some sections on ordinary roads, you return to the bike path until the sports field of Pallanzeno. Returning to ordinary roads and then again on bike path you reach Piedimulera, through the historic center surmounted by the majestic Torre Ferrerio. Continuing towards Pieve Vergonte, first on ordinary roads then on a cycle path, you continue to the sports field of Vogogna. Returning to ordinary road you reach the heart of the historic center of the medieval village of Vogogna, awarded the recognition of “Most beautiful villages in Italy and Orange flags”, where you can admire the historic Palazzo Pretorio, the Visconti Castle and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in neo-Gothic style. Here it ends the first stretch of the Ciclovia del Toce, defined “by bike between the villages”.

From the historic centre of Vogogna, initially on ordinary roads then on dirt roads, you reach the cycle path that runs along relaxing meadows with flowers, crops and majestic trees until you reach the Natural Oasis of the Bosco Tenso. The route, which is sometimes used by mixed users, crosses the provincial road again near the Migiandone Bridge. Here following the ordinary road you reach Migiandone, a hamlet of Ornavasso, where you re-enter on paved cycle path that leads to the Punta di Migiandone, from which also the route of the Cadorna Line starts. The path leads to the Fort of Bara, going up with hairpin bends with regular slope flanked by trenches and cave posts. Here it ends the second stretch of the Toce Cycle Path, known as “cycling through the woods”.

From the road bridge over the Rio San Carlo continue towards the sports field. From here a beautiful pedestrian walkway crosses the Toce River offering beautiful views of the watercourse, the thick riparian vegetation and the steep spires of the Corni di Nibbio, the mountain chain which separates the Valle d’Ossola from the Valgrande. From the footbridge, continue on the left bank of the Toce River, on a cycle path. The environment is very suggestive: the banks of the river have lush vegetation and sometimes open clearings where you can grow the typical flowers of Lake Maggiore. You cross the junction for the sports field of Mergozzo (we recommend a visit to the village overlooking the lake, awarded the recognition of “Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club) and finally the bike path ends near the former incinerator. From here, for a short distance, return to ordinary road and take the natural (dirt) path of the Natural Reserve of Fondo Toce Biosphere Reserve MAB-UNESCO (www.parcoticinolagomaggiore.it). The cycle path continues along the left bank of the Toce River to reach the campsite area of Fondotoce, up to the reeds where there is also an observatory for bird watching, and the canal that connects Lake Mergozzo with Lake Maggiore. At the roundabout of Fondotoce it ends the third stretch of the Toce Cycle Route, defined as “cycling through the flowers”.

From here a paved cycle path leads to the FS station of Verbania Pallanza. The return can be done by going back or using the train.

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Discover here the complete description of the three stretches:
• “by bike between the villages”
• “cycling through the woods” 
• “cycling through the flowers”

There is also a fourth stretch called “cycling through the riversides”.

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TECHNICAL ASPECTS
The route is overall easy and almost flat. It can also be tackled with trekking bicycles.
For families with young children, we point out the Domodossola- Collina dello Sport section as particularly suitable.

TECHNICAL DATA
Relevant geographical area: Verbano Cusio Ossola / Ossola Valley
Place of departure: Domodossola – Train Station
Place of arrival: Fondotoce – Train station Verbania Pallanza
Number of legs: 1
Length: 47,0 km
Total ascent: 75 m indicativa
Total descent: 140 m indicative
Difficulty: Medium – Easy
Average duration: 4 hours
Minimum altitude: 194 m.a.s.l.
Highest elevation reached: 270 m.a.s.l. (Domodossola station)
Degree of cyclability: total
Recommended period: April -October Doable year-round anyway
Presence of dedicated signage: yes
Target audience: family/ bicycle tourist / cyclo-hike