I’ll be honest with you: my first instinct is always to grab the keys and hit the road. There’s a freedom in the hairpin turns of Northern Italy that you just can’t replicate in a train carriage. But as a professional driver, I’ve learned that sometimes the “wisest” thing to do is admit the view is better when someone else is holding the wheel — especially when that “someone” is a train crossing 83 bridges and 31 tunnels through the clouds.
In late 2025, sustainable travel isn’t just a trend; it’s a way to preserve the very landscapes we come to see. Today, I’m sharing why the Vigezzina-Centovalli is my favorite choice for a low-impact Alpine crossing.
Insider Tip: This is when the “Foliage Train” is at its absolute best. Between mid-October and early November, the entire valley explodes in shades of orange and fiery red that no camera can truly capture.
The Appeal of the New “Stadler” Trains and Narrow Gauge#
The journey begins in Domodossola, where the line has just completed an incredible technological leap. If you’re lucky, you’ll board one of the new Stadler electric trains that entered service between 2024 and 2025. For a man who lives for the precision of a gearbox, seeing these high-tech machines — with low floors and smooth electric traction — is pure joy.
As soon as you leave the Ossola plain, the landscape changes drastically. The narrow-gauge line (1000 mm) climbs from 270 meters to the 1,300-meter summit. Why narrow gauge? Because it allows for tighter curves and a flexibility that standard gauge can only dream of. There’s no rack-and-pinion here; it’s pure steel-on-steel adhesion. The new Stadler motors tackle 6% gradients (60 per mille) with an ease that makes even the best rally car look clumsy.
Stops to “Unplug” (and Eat Well)#
Don’t make the mistake of staying seated from start to finish. The beauty of the Vigezzina is the chance to hop off. Here are my mandatory pit stops:
- Santa Maria Maggiore: The highest point of the line (830 m). Stop to visit the Chimney Sweep Museum. In autumn, look for restaurants serving vigezzini gnocchi with alpine butter and sage: it’s the ultimate comfort food after a morning spent watching the fiery forests.
- Re: When the train slows down and the imposing Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sangue appears, its dome dominating the peaks, even a cynic like me has to catch his breath. It’s a unique visual contrast between the sacred stone and the wild alpine pines.
- Intragna and Camedo: This is where you enter Switzerland, and the landscape gets even more vertical. In Intragna, you’ll find the highest bell tower in Ticino. If you love precision, you’ll notice the change in “rhythm” as soon as you pass the Camedo border: the train glides silently through the Ticino Merlot vineyards.
The Eco-Logic of the Rails#
In 2025, preserving these fragile alpine ecosystems is part of every true traveler’s duty. By taking the train through Val Vigezzo, you’re taking a car off the narrow, winding roads that locals rely on. It’s “Slow Travel” in its purest form: zero exhaust in the mountains’ faces and zero stress for your brake pads.
If you’re coming from the south and want to mix this northern thrill with some coastal romance, Update: my colleague Sofia has shared a wonderful guide on the coastal towns of Liguria by train — the perfect “slow” counterpoint to this rugged mountain crossing.
Marco’s Practical Tips for the Centovalli#
- Choosing your train: The new Stadler units offer first-class comfort, but the old regional trains still have that smell of oil and iron that we drivers love.
- The ticket: The “Lago Maggiore Express” is a perfect circle: train to Locarno and boat back to Stresa. It’s the most sustainable way to see everything in a single day.
- Logistics: Park at the Multi-story Parking in Domodossola. It’s safe, affordable, and lets you forget about the car for a few hours.
The road will always be my first love, but on this stretch of Piedmont, the train wins every single time.
Happy travels, Marco