Alpe Campo: Exploring the Fun Bob Alpine Coaster in Valsesia

The Fun Bob at Alpe Campo in Rimasco, part of the municipality of Alto Sermenza, offers a gravity-defying descent through the forests of the Valsesia valley. As a single-seat alpine coaster, the track spans approximately two kilometers, providing a controlled but rapid descent from the mountain station back toward the village. Visitors access the facility via a dedicated chairlift that operates during the summer season, connecting the valley floor to the Alpe Campo plateau.

How the Alpe Campo Alpine Coaster Works

The Fun Bob operates on a steel track system that allows riders to control their own speed using a manual braking lever. According to the official Alpe Campo management, the track is designed to navigate the natural topography of the woodland, featuring curves and drops that utilize the mountain’s incline. Safety protocols require passengers to remain seated with their safety belts fastened throughout the duration of the ride. The chairlift departure point is located in Rimasco, which serves as the primary gateway for tourists accessing this high-altitude recreational area.

Visitor Facilities at Alpe Campo

Beyond the alpine coaster, the Alpe Campo area functions as a multi-purpose mountain hub. The site includes the Rifugio Alpe Campo, which provides dining options featuring local Piedmontese cuisine. The area is specifically developed for family tourism, offering a playground and designated green spaces for recreation. Because the facility is located at a higher elevation than the surrounding villages, it provides a panoramic view of the upper Valsesia valley, including the peaks that define the border between the Vercelli province and the neighboring valleys.

Regional Attractions in the Alto Sermenza Valley

The municipality of Alto Sermenza, formed by the merger of Rimasco and Rima San Giuseppe, serves as a center for alpine tourism in the Piedmont region. Visitors often combine a trip to the Fun Bob with excursions to nearby mountain villages, including Carcoforo and Rossa. These locations are recognized for their traditional Walser architecture—a style of timber-frame construction brought to the region by Germanic settlers in the Middle Ages. Local culinary traditions remain a significant draw for the area, with miacce—a thin, savory, or sweet wafer-like pastry—serving as the most distinct regional specialty found in local bakeries and mountain huts.

Essential Information for Visitors

• Location: Rimasco, Alto Sermenza (Vercelli), Piedmont.
• Primary Attraction: 2km single-seat alpine coaster (Fun Bob).
• Access: Chairlift from Rimasco to Alpe Campo.
• Seasonal Operation: Generally open during the summer months; visitors should verify weather-dependent schedules via the ATL Valsesia Vercelli tourism board before planning travel.

The development of the Alpe Campo recreational site represents a broader trend in the Italian Alps to transition former agricultural mountain pastures into sustainable, year-round tourist destinations. While the Fun Bob remains the primary draw for adrenaline-seeking visitors, the integrated infrastructure of chairlifts and mountain refuges supports a local economy that relies heavily on seasonal hiking and outdoor recreation.