Hike to Forte di Bara in Ornavasso

In the “stretta di Bara” (the narrow of Bara), between Punta di Migiandone and Candoglia, the valley of Ossola reaches its narrowest point. The two slopes of the valley are in fact just 700 meters apart. In this strategic point one of the many military focal centers was built, being a part of Cadorna Line.

The building of the Line began in 1899 and was reinforced during the First World War. This huge military work (more than 72 kms of trenches and hundreds of kms of roads and walkways) made up the defensive system of the Northern Frontier towards Switzerland. The feards invasion by the Central Powers never happened, and the Cadorna Line was luckily never used for its purpose, so much so that the majestic work of many men and soldiers who worked on it can be admired almost intact still to this day.

The itinerary begins from the center of Ornavasso and reaches the parish church of San Nicolao and the Sanctuary of Madonna della Guardia. Here the panorama opens majestically on the Toce’s plain, with the Corni di Nibbio of Val Grande in the background.

By the old marble cave the route becomes a white road and leads gently to the Forte di Bara. The fort had warehouses and areas that could shelter troops, vehicles and weapons, plus a small chapel.

Along the mule track that leads from Forte di Bara to Punta di Migiandone, also called “il muntagnet” (the small mountain in dialect), there are many soldier walks and weapon placements, restored, in 1985, by the Gruppo Alpini of Ornavasso.

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