Before planning a visit to Val d’Ossola, it is useful to know how to reach this corner of Piedmont, nestled between Lake Maggiore and the Swiss border.
By train
Domodossola is served by a railway station of international importance, a meeting point between Italian lines and the historic Simplon line towards Switzerland. For those arriving without a car, the train is often the most convenient way to reach the Ossola valley floor, as described in the article dedicated to the Domodossola international station.
By car
Val d’Ossola is connected to the motorway network via the main routes running from Piedmont towards the Simplon, as well as by the state roads along Lake Maggiore. The car remains the most practical means for those wishing to travel between the various side valleys, which are often less well served by public transport.
By plane
The nearest reference airports are those in the Milan and Turin areas, from which you can then continue by car or train towards Val d’Ossola.
For up-to-date train timetables and service frequency, refer to Trenitalia; for general tourist information, the Lake District Tourist Board.
Once you have arrived
Once in Val d’Ossola, many of the most interesting destinations, including our tastings, can be reached quickly from the valley floor: a compact area that is also well suited to day trips between the mountains and the lake.
The route from Lombardy
The SS33 del Sempione state road crosses Lombardy and Piedmont for a total of 144.4 km: the Piedmont section, 88.4 km long, runs along the western shore of Lake Maggiore, passing through Arona and Stresa, as far as Gravellona Toce, from where it enters Val d’Ossola and reaches Domodossola. Near Ornavasso, the old road gives way to a modern dual carriageway, continuing from the A26 motorway: from Ornavasso to Iselle di Trasquera, the route is classified as European road E62, a natural continuation of the motorway.
From Malpensa to Val d’Ossola
For those arriving by plane, the most direct route from Malpensa Airport involves joining the motorway at Sesto Calende, following the signs for the A26 towards Gravellona Toce, where the motorway becomes the SS33 Ossola expressway, then continuing to the Domodossola exit. This route is an essential connection for transalpine traffic, linking Milan to the Swiss border and passing through important urban and industrial centres such as Gravellona Toce and Domodossola itself.
A practical tip for those arriving without a car
For those choosing to arrive by train, many wineries and tourist activities in Val d’Ossola, including ours, are easily accessible even without a car, thanks to local shuttle services or short walks from the station. It is always worthwhile contacting your chosen venue in advance to best organise travel for the final leg of the journey.
One final recommendation: always check up-to-date train timetables and any shuttle service schedules before departure, as they may vary seasonally.
Train, car or plane: every route leads to the same beauty.
Every route leads to the same, surprising beauty.
One final practical recommendation: planning your arrival a few days in advance, especially on summer weekends, helps avoid unexpected issues along the way.
Every route leads to the same surprising beauty.
Every route leads to the same beauty.
Getting to Val d’Ossola is easier than you might think: the Simplon railway line connects Domodossola with Milan and Switzerland, while the A26 motorway provides quick access by car from Turin and Milan. For those arriving by plane, Milan Malpensa airports are the most convenient entry point, around an hour from the valley.
Once in the valley, travelling between the various villages is generally easy thanks to the well-connected network of provincial roads.
