Val Grande National Park – Piedmont: the wild heart of the Alps, where nature dictates the rhythm. The Val Grande National Park, located in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, is the largest wilderness area in Italy. Here nature expresses itself without filters: dense woods, impervious valleys, rocky ridges and ancient traces of human presence now reconquered by vegetation. It is a place for those seeking silence, authenticity and unspoiled landscapes. 🌲 A valley without roads: There are no carriage roads within the heart of the park. You can only enter on foot, through paths of medium and high difficulty, often steep and isolated. The absence of infrastructure is part of its charm and makes it a unique territory in Italy. 👉 Tip: Start from Cicogna, the "smallest village in Italy", to reach Alpe Prà, one of the most evocative viewpoints in the southern area of the park. 🦅 Free fauna and deep forests: The park is home to deer, roe deer, chamois, foxes, golden eagles, black woodpeckers and numerous other species of birds and mammals. Beech and coniferous forests cover a large part of the territory, interrupted only by abandoned mountain pastures and rushing streams. 👉 Tip: Walk quietly along the Val Pogallo or Val Loana: here it is easier to come across wild animals, especially at dawn or late in the afternoon. 🏚️ Traces of Alpine civilization: Before being abandoned in the 50s, these mountains were inhabited by shepherds, woodcutters and charcoal burners. The remains of huts, wood-burning ovens, low walls and ancient paths testify to a hard life completely immersed in nature. 👉 Tip: Visit the Val Grande Museum in Malesco before leaving: it offers a valuable key to understanding the human history of the area. 🥾 Excursions for experts and experienced walkers: The routes are often long and challenging, suitable for experienced hikers or accompanied by environmental guides. However, there is no shortage of more accessible itineraries in the peripheral areas of the park, such as those near Premosello, Trontano or Santa Maria Maggiore. 👉 Tip: Follow the path to Alpe In La Piana: panorama, seclusion and unspoiled nature in one of the most iconic corners of the park. 🍯 Local traditions and flavors: In the municipalities around the park you can taste simple and genuine products: mountain honey, smoked cured meats, alpine cheeses and chestnut-based desserts. The hospitality is authentic, often managed by small refuges or family-run farmhouses. 👉 Tip: After the excursion, stop in Vogogna or Cossogno to taste the typical Ossola dishes, accompanied by a good glass of wine from the Verbano hills. The Val Grande Park is a corner of Italy where the mountain has found itself: silent, mysterious and profoundly free.