[2] The trail originated as an ancient route for shepherds and farmers to move livestock seasonally from the Verbano region to the Ossola Valley for summer grazing.

Initially it evolved as a network of pastoral paths to enable the transfer of cattle from the Verbano region to the higher Ossola Valley in search of better grazing areas during the summer.

On July 31, 1880, a fundraising event took place in Intra, a frazione of the municipality of Verbania, to support Giacomo Bove, an Italian sea-going explorer of the 19th century, and his planned Antarctic expedition.

Bove had previously sailed with Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld on the first voyage through the Northeast Passage, and later explored Tierra del Fuego and the Congo River.

In 1977, members of the CAI Verbano-Intra branch, including mountaineer Gualtiero Rognoni, began efforts to rediscover and restore the trail.

In 1997, coinciding with the centenary of both the path and the Bocchetta di Campo refuge, an event called "Another Pass" led to the extension of the original trail to include the circumnavigation of the peaks around the Val Pogallo from Cicogna.

In contrast, summer poses different challenges: the lack of water sources along the route and prolonged exposure to the sun make it less advisable for hiking.

[citation needed] Maintained by the CAI Verbano and the Val Grande National Park, the trail undergoes regular updates to improve safety and accessibility.

[9] The final segment begins with a descent through the narrow and rough Strette del Casé, a canyon shaped by centuries of water flow.

From there, it descends steeply to Corte di Pogallo, a former pastoral settlement, and reconnects with the Sutermeister Road, leading back to Cicogna to complete the loop.

[8] Hikers heading toward Alpe Prà and the Casa dell'Alpino (originally built to serve as a refuge for alpine troops), follow a marked trail that ascends through a wooded area.

Continuing along the ridge, the trail ascends gradually through another beech grove, leading to a more level section that culminates at the Colma di Belmello at 1,590 meters.

[10] The Bove Path traverses a landscape rich in geological diversity, offering insights into the Val Grande's dynamic natural history, allowing it to obtain UNESCO recognition.

This unique geological heritage not only defines the physical challenges of the path, such as steep ridges and exposed cliffs, but also tells a story of deep-time processes that sculpted the Alps into their present form.

[11] The Bove Path traverses terrain primarily composed of metamorphic rocks, such as gneiss and schist, formed during the Alpine orogeny.

These rocks shape the steep ridges and exposed cliffs hikers encounter along key sections of the trail, such as Monte Zeda and Torrione.

While the region's Candoglia pink marble was famously used for Milan's Cathedral, the rocks found on the Bove Path have served more practical purposes, such as constructing pastoral shelters and marking trails for transhumance routes.

Hikers can observe folded rock layers, fault lines, and mineral veins directly along the trail, particularly in areas like Monte Torrione.

These landforms serve as visible remnants of the region's glacial history, offering hikers insights into the geological processes that shaped the landscape.

These efforts ensure that the region's unique ecosystems, from alpine meadows to ancient forests, remain undisturbed for future generations.

Val Grande National Park boasts a varied flora, supported by its diverse environments and the moderating influence of Lake Maggiore.

These range from humid valley floors to high alpine peaks, offering hikers the opportunity to witness much of this biodiversity along the path.

However, the establishment of the park has introduced conservation strategies to preserve and restore the unique plant biodiversity found along the trail, ensuring the protection of its ecological heritage for future generations.

The flora along the Bove Path stands as a testament to nature's resilience and adaptability, highlighting the importance of safeguarding this biodiversity for future exploration and appreciation.

[12] Val Grande National Park is also home to numerous protected species, making it a site of interest for academics and experts studying natural evolution following human exploitation.

In 2013, the European Union's LIFE programme launched a five-year project aimed at supporting environmental and climate action initiatives.