Canyon Variola (superiore) in Piemonte/Italia v4-a4-IV 4.55/5*

Country: Italia / Italy

Region: Piemonte

Subregion: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola

Town: Monteossolano

v4 a4 IV

6h

1h20

4h10

30min

1140m

860m

280m

26m

on Foot

Rating:

★★★★★

4.6 (8)

Info:

★★★

2.7 (6)

Belay:

★★★

2.5 (8)

Summary: machine translated ➜ Original language

Südseitig ausgerichteter Canyon - parallel zum Rasiga - mit schönem Ambiente, aber auch einer deutlich sportlichen Note.

South-facing canyon - parallel to the Rasiga - with a beautiful ambience, but also a distinctly sporty touch.

Parts

Name

Difficulty

Approach

Tour

Return

Variola (superiore)

1h20

Variola (inferiore)

50min

South

10.53km²

Summary: machine translated ➜ Original language

Südseitig ausgerichteter Canyon - parallel zum Rasiga - mit schönem Ambiente, aber auch einer deutlich sportlichen Note.

South-facing canyon - parallel to the Rasiga - with a beautiful ambience, but also a distinctly sporty touch.

Access: machine translated ➜ Original language

Vom Zentrum Domodossolas zunächst Richtung Bognanco. An der Brücke über den Torrente Bogna angekommen nicht links und weiter Richtung Bognanco, sondern über die Brücke und etwa 350m weiter dann links ab nach Monteossolano. Auf dem großenParkplatz vor der Ortschaft stellen wir unser Auto ab (780m Höhe).

From the center of Domodossola, first head towards Bognanco. When you reach the bridge over the Torrente Bogna, do not turn left and continue towards Bognanco, but cross the bridge and about 350m further on turn left towards Monteossolano. We park our car in the large parking lot in front of the village (780m altitude).

Approach (1 h 20): machine translated ➜ Original language

Wir durchqueren die Ortschaft und nehmen dann den Wanderweg "D4" zur (verfallenen) Alpe Pertus (1075m Höhe). Weiter geht es auf dem "D4" aufwärts - etwa parallel zum Variola - in Richtung Alpe Corte, La Balma. Auf 1110m Höhe und wenige Meter vor einem Seitenbach geht eine unscheinbare Spur links ab und wir kommen bei einem Steg in den Bach (1140m Höhe). In verschiedenen Beschreibungen werden Einstiege weiter oben und weiter unten geschildert.

We cross the village and then take the trail "D4" to the (ruined) Alpe Pertus (1075m altitude). Continue uphill on the "D4" - roughly parallel to the Variola - towards Alpe Corte, La Balma. At 1110m altitude and a few meters before a side stream, an inconspicuous track goes off to the left and we arrive at a footbridge in the stream (1140m altitude). In various descriptions are described entries further up and further down.

Tour (4 h 10): machine translated ➜ Original language

Nach den ersten Gumpen und einigen Laufpassagen beginnt sich der Bach einzukerben. Insgesamt fast Abseiler, aber auch einige Sprungmöglichkeiten erwarten uns. Bei der Staumauer wird der Abstieg sinnvollerweise beendet, da der weitere Abstieg bis zum Einstieg in den unteren Abschnitt nur ermüdend ist.

After the first pools and some walking passages, the stream begins to notch. In total, almost rappel, but also some possible jumps await us. At the dam, the descent is sensibly terminated, as the further descent to the entry into the lower part is only tiring.

Return (30 min): machine translated ➜ Original language

Nach Erklimmen der Mauer nehmen wir den Pfad, der am linken Ufer abwärts führt. Wir treffen auf den Verbindungsweg Monsignore - Monteossolano "D0". Rechts ginge es zum Einstieg in den unteren Variola. Wir gehen links und kommen so zurück nach Monteossolano und zum Auto.

After climbing the wall, we take the path that descends along the left bank. We meet the connecting path Monsignore - Monteossolano "D0". On the right we go to the entry to the lower Variola. We go left and so we come back to Monteossolano and to the car.

Coordinates:

Canyon Start

46.1421°, 8.21983° ↓↑
DMS: 46° 8" 31.56', 8° 13" 11.39'
DM: 46° 8.526", 8° 13.19"
Google Maps

Canyon End

46.1296°, 8.2202° ↓↑
DMS: 46° 7" 46.56', 8° 13" 12.72'
DM: 46° 7.776", 8° 13.212"
Google Maps

Parking Entry and Exit

46.126768°, 8.238341° ↓↑
DMS: 46° 7" 36.37', 8° 14" 18.03'
DM: 46° 7.606", 8° 14.3"
Google Maps

Literatures:

Map

IGMI 25/V - 15 Domodossola II-NO, 1:25 000

1:25000

Map

IGC 11, Domodossola-Val Formazza, 1:50 000

1:50000

Map

Kompass WK 89, Domodossola, 1:50 000

1:50000

Canyoning Book

Canyons du Haut Piémont Italien-Torrentismo in Alto Piemonte

Spéléo Club de la Vallée de la Vis

2015

Canyoning Book

Canyoning nel distretto turistico dei Laghi Monti e Valli. AIC, 2013

Canyoning Book

Canyoning in the Alps

Simon Flower

Cicerone

2012

Northern Italy and Ticino

Canyoning Book

Canyoning dans le Nord Italie

Pascal van Duin

2011

Canyoning Book

Canyoning nel distretto turistico dei Laghi Monti e Valli Lucca Bianchi e Roberto Schenone, 2010

Canyoning Book

Canyoning Nord Italia

Pascal van Duin

Edizioni TopCanyon

2009

100 Beschreibungen

Canyoning Book

Le tour de l´Europe en Canyon. Les plus belles descentes

Stéphane Coté / Caracal et les Sancho Panza

2007

124 Canyon-Beschreibungen

Canyoning Book

Gole & Canyons. 3 - Italia Nord-Ovest

Francesco Cacace / Roberto Jarre / Dino Ruotolo / Roberto Schenone

2003

Canyoning Book

Canyons du Haut Piémont Italien. Val d´Ossola. Speleo Club de la Vallé de la Vis, Club Omni Sport Perrier, 2002

Canyoning Booklet

AIC RIC 2025

Associazione Italiana Canyoning

2025

21° AIC International Canyoning Meeting | Ric 2025

Cwiki Canyon Info

Canyoning Wiki Link Variolasup https://canyon.carto.net/cwiki/bin/view/Canyons/VariolasupCanyon.html

Descente Canyon Info

https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon/2653

Ropewiki Canyon Info

https://ropewiki.com/Variola_(Upper)

Gallery

http://www.barranquistas.es/2012/08/gola-di-variola-superior.html

Gallery

http://yelsub1.free.fr/canyons/italie/ossola_perfs_juil_2007/web/variolasup/index.html

Gallery

http://www.altisud.com/val-d-ossola/variola-superieur-canyoning__i_4mxvn8nfai7__al_descente-canyon-fiche.html#ongletcontent_images

Video

* https://youtu.be/b8C-H8rY2uU

Video

https://youtu.be/mdRe3nVP-2w

AIC Catasto

http://catastoforre.aic-canyoning.it/index/forra/reg/PIEMONTE/pro/VB/cod/VB028

Unknown

http://www.altisud.com/val-d-ossola/variola-superieur-canyoning__i_4mxvn8nfai7__al_descente-canyon-fiche.html

Unknown

http://caracal.duckeater.fr/?can=115

Unknown

http://www.cicarudeclan.com/ita/a5_variolasup.htm

12.09.2025 Matteo Delfitto ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Canyon lungo e spettacolare con tanta acqua e tanto da nuotare... la calata più alta è molto adrenalinica!

Long and spectacular canyon with lots of water and lots of swimming...the highest rappel is very adrenaline-pumping!

09.08.2025 LeTrolle ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

08.08.2025 Alex54 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Impegnativo e molto divertente, con alcuni passaggi mozzafito

Challenging and very fun, with some breathtaking passages

08.08.2025 Peisen ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Alles tiptop

Everything tiptop

Other users were: DaRaph

07.08.2025 Giovanni Buti ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Discesa lunga, impegnativa e molto acquatica, ci sono alcune sequenze che lasciano davvero senza fiato, una su tutte le 4 pozze con toboga di fila, e un'altra successione di calate bellissime subito dopo, forse abbiamo saltato le prime calate ma siamo entrati dopo un canalone per una traccia, trovandoci subito nella parte continua del canyon. Non ci sono vie di fuga, entrare preparati!

Long, challenging and very watery descent, there are some really breathtaking sequences, one on all the 4 puddles with toboggan in a row, and another succession of beautiful rappels immediately after, maybe we skipped the first rappels but entered after a gully for a trail, finding ourselves immediately in the continuous part of the canyon. There are no escape routes, go in prepared!

06.08.2025 Takamaka974 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

04.08.2025 tias75Charly01200 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) Ras (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

04.08.2025 Airmax ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Low Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Alles gut. Sind etwas höher als angegeben eingestiegen

All good. Got in a little higher than indicated

04.08.2025 tias75 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

03.08.2025 Binanec ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) Tous les amarrages en bon état. Super classe. (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

03.08.2025 Bina ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Alles ok

Everything ok

Other users were: Patrik Bartel

02.08.2025 Troglobiont ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

02.08.2025 Rok ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 High Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Alles tip top. Sind von der Brücke eingestiegen (etwas höher als der Standardeinstieg) und wurden mit paar schönen Abseilern und tollen Sprüngen belohnt. Für mich ein toller Canyon, mit großartigen Abseilern, super Sprüngen und einmaligen Rutschen. Die 5 fach Infinitipoolsequenz ist sicher einmalig in der Canyoningwelt. Auto-Auto genau 5 Stunden.

Everything was top notch. We got in from the bridge (a little higher than the standard entrance) and were rewarded with some nice rappels and great jumps. For me a great canyon, with great rappels, superiore jumps and unique slides. The 5-fold infinity pool sequence is certainly unique in the canyoning world. Car-car exactly 5 hours.

21.08.2024 Mathilde ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

16.08.2024 apalomer ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

10.08.2024 lorenzgr ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) Ras (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

08.08.2024 Adrien_La_Commune ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

05.08.2024 Nico Caro ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 High Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) Ne pas suivre l'approche jusqu'au bout du descriptif et descendre dans le ravin a gauche avec des rocher et des bois morts. Au dessus de cette partie le canyon n'est pas équipé. (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

02.08.2024 Yan09 ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) Fait l'intégrale, sans navette, à partir de Messasca, joli chemin mais long (2h). Superbe canyon, nombreux sauts, équipement propre. (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

01.08.2024 Brocoli ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ no translation available

Automatisch importiert von Descente-Canyon.com für Canyon Variola (supérieur) Très beau malgré les petites marches pas si désagréable.Eau assez froide (Quelle: https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-debit/2653/observations.html)

01.09.2023 Patrick Summerer ⭐ ★★★★★ 📖 ★★★ ⚓ ★★★ 💧 Normal Completed ✔ machine translated ➜ Original language

Es sollte unbedingt bei der Staumauer ausgestiegen werden, da der Abschnitt bis zum Start der Inferiore sehr mühsam ist und keine Haken gebohrt sind! Sehr spaßige Rutschen, ein perfekter 12m Sprung, sehr schöne Abschnitte aber auch zeitweise viel zum Abklettern. Sind etwas zu hoch eingestiegen und haben 1 Haken gebohrt. Weiter unten gute Kettenstände.

It should be sure to get out at the dam, because the section to the start of the Inferiore is very tedious and no hooks are drilled! Very fun slides, a perfect 12m jump, very nice sections but also at times much to climb off. Got in a little too high and drilled 1 piton. Further down good chain stands.