Via Dello Sbrinz - Via Del Gries

The Gries Pass, at an altitude of 2479 m between the Val Formazza and the Upper Valais, constituted for five centuries the most direct route between the Lombard plain and central Switzerland. From Milan to Bern, from the Mediterranean to the plains of central Europe, people, goods, and ideas passed through the Gries. It was a trade route, a caravan road traversed by long lines of mules loaded with merchandise. From the north came livestock, hides, and cheeses (the "sbrinz" from the Oberland Bernese), but also luxury products like the precious crystals crafted by the monks of Engelberg destined for the Italian courts. From the south came the cloths and silks of Lombardy and especially the wine from Ossola, exported to the court of France.

On August 12, 1397, in Munster, the capital of Goms, the homeland of the Walser, representatives from Ossola and Val Formazza gathered with those from the city of Bern, the Abbey of Interlaken, the communities of Hasli, and Goms to sign an agreement that ensured a common commitment to opening a trade route between Milan and Bern. A great road in the heart of Europe: 600 years ago. The contract stipulated the construction and maintenance of a road that from Grimsel, through the Gries, would reach Ossola to particularly facilitate trade between the north and Lombardy. Each party committed to the good upkeep and control of the traffic in their own area: the residents of Bern up to the Grimsel Pass, where during those years a hospice would be built, the men of Munster from Grimsel to Gries, and the people of Formazza up to the pass. Regulations regarding the tariffs to be collected and the security of transit that each community had to provide were also established.

The process of recovering historical memory and the spirit of collaboration that still thrives among the mountain populations on either side of the border have contributed to the recent re-evaluation of this ancient Historic Route: the Via del Gries has been part of one of Switzerland's 12 National Cultural Routes since 2002. The route is called "Via Sbrinz" or "Sbrinz Route," a journey in seven stages from Lucerne to Domodossola for those who, at a slow pace, want to rediscover the thrill of walking the paths of history. Every summer, as a historical reenactment, the route is traversed by a caravan of mules and goods (www.sbrinz-route.ch).

The path of the Via del Gries, except for the section of the Gries Pass, primarily runs along the valley floor, passing through inhabited centers and near the main road (SS659). The numerous accommodation and dining options along the valley allow for choosing the length of the stages based on one’s level of preparation. From Crevoladossola to Ulrichen, a minimum of 3 stages should typically be planned. However, for those who want to walk slowly and discover the natural, historical, and cultural wonders of the valley, it is advisable to complete the journey in 4 stages.