Valli del Verbano Trail 34km – Course details and GPX map

The Valli del Verbano Trail is the flagship distance of the 100% Mojanchi Trail, a demanding and spectacular race crossing some of the most scenic and lesser-known areas of Northern Varese, largely unexplored even by local runners.

Start and finish are set in the main square of Mesenzana Town Hall. The course passes iconic locations such as the Cassano Valcuvia trenches, the summit of Monte San Martino, Monte della Colonna, Alpe San Michele and Monte Pian Nave. The route also follows the historic Mojanchi road (from which the event takes its name) and crosses the ancient Celtic village of Cavojasca.

Detailed course description – VALLI DEL VERBANO TRAIL 34K

Start from the trail village located in front of the Mesenzana Town Hall. After a short warm-up section through the village, the route turns right and begins the first climb, initially on cobblestones and asphalt, then entering the forest above the town. Passage near the Madonnina degli Ammalati (water point) and the Cà de Roc area, before starting the descent on paved road leading to Cassano Valcuvia.

After crossing the village, runners enter the trail leading to the historic open trenches and tunnels of Cassano Valcuvia (headlamp mandatory). Exiting the trenches, the climb continues through dense beech forests, alternating runnable sections with steep ramps. Reaching the Sasso Bianco area, a sharp left turn marks the final steep ascent toward Vallalta, first on a rocky technical section, then on a beautiful single track with panoramic views over the Valcuvia valley.

At Vallalta (km 8.5) runners find the first aid station. After leaving the aid station, the route descends through the impressive Mesenzana trenches, where World War I machine-gun positions are still visible. After passing through the two tunnels (headlamp mandatory), the course tackles the final ramp leading to the mule track connecting Vallalta to San Michele. After 500 meters, the steep climb toward the summit of Monte San Martino begins, first through covered trenches and then through dense pine forest. At the summit, crowned by the iconic chapel, runners enjoy stunning views over Valcuvia, the lakes of the province, Monte Campo dei Fiori, and the distant peaks of Switzerland.

Leaving the summit, a rolling single track leads to the climb toward Monte della Colonna (KOM), at 1,199 m, one of the four highest points in the province of Varese. From the top, runners are rewarded with a 360° panorama over the province, Lake Maggiore and the Monte Rosa massif.

The route then drops into a steep descent toward Alpe San Michele, first technical and rocky, then increasingly runnable through beech forests. After crossing the road, a short single track leads to the small San Michele hamlet, home to the second aid station (km 16.5 – cut-off 5 hours), next to the 11th-century church.

After the aid station, another partly technical descent leads to the village of Musadino (water point, km 18.5). The course continues on road to Muceno (water point, km 20), where, after passing the church of San Giorgio, runners face the final long climb of the race toward Monte Pian Nave, first on paved mule track, then dirt road to Cascina Profarè, and finally on a steep trail easing toward the summit.

After crossing the summit of Monte Pian Nave, a downhill single track leads to the second passage at Alpe San Michele (km 27, third and final aid station). The route continues through alpine huts before joining an easy runnable mule track toward Vallalta, perfect for loosening the legs after the climbs.

After about 3.5 km, a sharp left turn marks the final descent. Following the Mojanchi road and crossing the ancient Celtic settlement of Cavojasca, runners tackle the final section before reaching Mesenzana. A final short ramp leads to the medieval tower of Mesenzana, then a fast descent through the village to the finish line in front of the Town Hall, where the final refreshment and your finisher gift await!