Corso Guglielmo Marconi, 77, Gravellona Toce

The cluster sits at the south end of the Ossola, where the first Alpine slopes rise above the Toce valley. Lake Maggiore begins a few kilometres to the south at Fondotoce, and the Toce river runs through the area. The Fondotoce Nature Reserve is within reach on the lake-edge wetlands. The nearest major town is Verbania on Lake Maggiore, with ferry connections, lakefront districts and services; Domodossola is the other main town up the valley. This is the gateway area for the Ossola valleys and for routes north toward the Simplon.