It is a resort famous for its Winter sport facilities and its climatic Summer holidays. Located in the province of Verbania, on the slopes of Monte Rosa, on its tallest side. The area is characterized by a valley crossed by streams and waterfalls, suitable for hiking and trekking. It is a municipality that spreads over the countryside with its various districts from 900 to more than 4600 meters above sea level. It has 40 miles of trails, lifts and modern hotel facilities. The village is connected to the Belvedere Glacier and the Monte Moro by a chairlift and by a cable car.
Settlements were built in the area of Macugnaga since ancient times, but the first inhabitants are uncertain: some historians say that they were Celts or Romans, while others believes that they were the Saracens. The first permanent settlement was with the Walsers in the XIII century, attracted by the mild climate and very rich pastures. This Swiss population, devoted to farming and herding, spread in the area, their language, customs and traditional wooden houses with stone foundations and roofs covered with "piode" (stone slates) of which are still wonderful examples, some of which date back to the XVI century. The town became autonomous under the Counts of Biandrate and the inhabitants lived a long period of peace in which they managed to govern themselves. With the clashes between Ghibellines and Ghelfi, the Anzasca Valley surrendered voluntarily to the Visconti of Milan and then to the Sforza, until in the XVI century it was ceded to the Spanish. Since 1700 mining became a important incoming for the community, of which remain several kilometers of tunnels, some still visitable.

Attractions:
- the Old Church and its 700 years old lime tree with a circumference of 7 meters in the district of Staffa.
- the Oratory of Our Lady of the Snows built in 1653.
- the Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Staffa, whose construction began in the late XVIII century and features a rectangular plan with a single aisle.
- the Church of San Rocco in the hamlet of Motta.
- the Historical Museum of Alpinism, located in Staffa, a permanent exhibition of the most significant stages of the alpine climbing history of the notorious Eastern rock face, 3000 meters wide and 2600 meters high, as well as other famous peaks.
- the Gold mine and its Museum in Guia