If Alagna stands between Monte Rosa and Riva Valdobbia as if wanting to separate them, this can only mean something which no other town in the Valsesia can offer; an enchanting view of the entire Monte Rosa. Stretching west to the Valle D'Aosta, Riva with its wonderful valley which follows the Vogna torrent, was in the past the crossroads for those who had to reach Gressoney and France. The old local expression "Andare in obbia", which comes from Valdobbia, can be translated as "Go meet those (the relatives) returning home".
A few minutes and a brief walk to the centre of the village lead to the small central square. One’s eye is inevitably captivated by the majestic Parish Church of St. Michele, proclaimed a national patrimony, whose facade frescoed by Melchiorre D'Enrico in 1597 represents a sublime Final Judgment.
The imposing stone door is carved with 1326 as the date of construction, while the inside reveals many figurative works dating back to the 15th and 18th centuries, among which, stands out an 18th-century wooden altarpiece and a triptych from the late 1400's.
Leaving the main square in the direction of Alagna, follow to the left in order to reach the Val Vogna (valley), where it is possible to find one of the few alpeggi (alpine pastures) inhabited throughout the year in Piedmont. The particularly lush wild nature of this valley, celebrated in different bibliographical works, affects all those who venture in to it. It gets its name from the Vogna torrent. Follow its crystal waters marked with remarkable and extravagant rocky boulders to the valleys of Rassa or the summits of the Biella area. Proceeding to the orographic left leads to Gressoney in the territory of the Valle d'Aosta. Riva Valdobbia, located just a few minutes from Alagna and therefore an excellent choice to reach the Monterosa ski skiing district, is also the home for cross-country skiing.
The “Marmotta Rosa” run, about 12 km of ups and downs mainly in the wooded area along the Sesia River, is for its length a variety of scenery and unique route across the valley.
