FORCORA

In every season the Forcora Pass offers beauty and experiences for everyone, from walks to sports

The Forcora Pass, at 1,179 m above sea level in the municipality of Maccagno con Pino and Veddasca, stands between Mount Cadrigna (1,304 m) and Mount Sirti (1,343 m). Located just a few meters from the Swiss border, it is a transitional area between valleys, forests, and alpine pastures, built on a panoramic road that connects the Veddasca Valley to Lake Maggiore.

This area, nestled in the Varese Prealps, offers forests of beech, birch, and pine trees interspersed with clearings, crisscrossed by summer pastures with goats and local livestock. The views from here are spectacular: you can admire valleys and much of Verbano, Monte Rosa, and the Alps. In winter, the snow transforms the pass into an enchanting Alpine setting, with glimpses of Locarno and the mouth of the Maggia River.

Although snow has become increasingly rare in recent years, Forcora is known as "the Varese ski resort": it is the only alpine ski resort in the province, equipped with a ski lift that ascends to Monte Cadrigna, serving a medium-difficulty run, approximately 1 km long. There is also a cross-country ski trail approximately 5 km long. Equipment rental (bobsleighs, snowshoes, snowboards, skis, and ski poles) is available on site, as well as the CAI Luino ski school.

In summer, the pass becomes a hiking destination: numerous trails and ridges offer technical and scenic itineraries and connections to the Swiss network, suitable for both hiking and mountain biking. For several years, it has hosted the Gran Forcora Bike, a mountain bike race over 40 km long and with a 1,530-meter elevation gain, part of the Rampitek/Coppa Lombardia circuit.

But the Forcora Pass is not just about sport, it is also about tradition. At the summit, the small church of the Madonna della Neve, dating back to the 18th century and enlarged in 1845, bears witness to the ancient presence of mountain herders on the site. In July 2024, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Guardia di Finanza, the "Sentiero Fiamme Gialle d'Italia" (Yellow Flames of Italy) trail, a commemorative path leading to the Italian border, was named. Finally, the traditional Alpine Pasture Festival is held in August.