Via Del Mercato Domodossola - Locarno

The Market Way is a hiking trail that connects Domodossola with Locarno through the Val Vigezzo and the Centovalli, along mule tracks used since antiquity to bring the products of the valleys to the cities' markets. The same mule tracks were traversed by the many emigrants from the valley and by pilgrims heading to the Sanctuary of Re, an important devotional center in the valley dedicated to the Madonna del Sangue, a destination for pilgrimages from Domodossola, Locarno, and Cossogno (in Verbano).
The Val Vigezzo, unlike the other Ossola valleys, is a place where the rules of orography are reversed. Not a valley carved by the flow of a stream with villages situated at different altitudes from the head to the mouth of the plain. The Vigezzo seems to have no beginning or end: it boasts two opposing streams, one of which appears to flow uphill, is flat, and less carved. Here not only the orography is unusual, but also the history and culture: it is a wealthy valley that thrives on tourism and cross-border work, which has experienced an emigration that over the centuries has produced curious inventions and a return of well-being, but also the tradition of chimney sweeps and an artistic history linked to important painting schools. The relaxing environment and the polychromy of the broadleaf forests make the landscape very pleasant to the eye. Yet the Val Vigezzo is an alpine environment, an open place but nestled among gloomy and wild valleys.
Over the past century, the valley has undergone a profound transformation of the socioeconomic system: traditional agro-pastoral activities have suffered a strong reduction, carving out a small space as an integrative economy. There has been no industrial development, so "cross-border work" in neighboring Switzerland and tourism are the primary sources of the Vigezzo economy. This has allowed the avoidance of the population hemorrhage that has negatively affected the social fabric and the territorial layout in other valleys. One of the best ways to learn about and appreciate the historical contents and beauties of the Val Vigezzo and the adjacent Centovalli is to retrace the ancient road that connected Domodossola with Locarno (CH), in use since the Middle Ages by merchants and woodcutters, herders, and emigrants between Ticino and Italy.
Today, part of the path has been lost, covered by the current road network, but some well-preserved sections of the ancient mule track are present both in Italy and Switzerland. Walking on this Way is easy and pleasant, also thanks to the cross-border railway line of the "VIGEZZINA," recently described as "the most beautiful scenic railway in Italy," which connects Domodossola with Locarno. Traveling by the Vigezzina train makes it possible to stay overnight in any village in the valley, reaching the starting point of the stage in the morning.