Little Church of Saint Anne in Riale: walking route and parking
From the Centro Fondo Riale parking lot, you can reach the little church in 5-10 minutes on foot, along a path and a flight of steps. In the snow, the climb is more challenging
The Chiesetta di Sant'Anna sits on a promontory. It overlooks the Riale plain in upper Val Formazza. It's about 300-400 meters from the village. You can reach it in 5-10 minutes on foot. Follow a short dirt path and climb some steps. The route rises about 20-30 meters. The final stretch is for pedestrians only.
You can park at the Centro Fondo Riale parking area. It's at the entrance to the plain and village. The parking area is spacious, with dirt and gravel.
In summer, the climb is an easy walk. The little church sits along the hiking trail. That trail leads to the dam and Lago di Morasco. You can stop there before or after your hike.
We stayed in Riale one summer as our hiking base. We came back in winter to see the snowy landscape. In the snow, the little church's white walls stand out. Its stone roof and the surrounding mountains complete the scene. But snow on the trail makes the short climb harder.
You can only see the Oratorio from outside. Unfortunately, the interior is usually closed to the public. It opens only for special ceremonies.
