There’s nothing better than a hiking trip where you can fill your lungs with Valtellina’s fresh, invigorating mountain air and explore its numerous valleys on foot.
Sure, you’ve got the well-known and often well-trodden
valleys like Val di Mello, Val Viola, Valle dei Forni and sites like the
Cascate dell’Acquafraggia waterfall and Cancano with its lakes, but Valtellina
has so many more jaw-droppingly beautiful valleys that are off the radar of
most tourists.
Here’s a selection of the most authentic, undiscovered
valleys with mesmerising scenery and little risk of overcrowding so social
distancing is a given.
VALCHIAVENNA
VAL FEBBRARO, Madesimo: a rugged valley reachable from Isola
and known for its spectacular waterfall
VALLE DEL DROGO: set off from the village of San Giacomo Filippo and hike up to
the lake of Truzzo
VALLE DEI RATTI: an easy hike to the mountain village of
Frasnedo
TEMPIETTO DI SAN FEDELINO: a beautiful walk to the idyllic, little
Chiesa di San Fedele, the area’s oldest monument sat on the lake of Novate
Mezzola.
IN & AROUND MORBEGNO
VAL LESINA: dominated by the 2,609 metre-tall Monte Legnone,
this is the first valley that opens up into the Orobie Alps as you enter
Valtellina after leaving Lake Como behind
ALPE PIAZZA: a slice of paradise not far from Albaredo per San
Marco;
MONTE BASSETTA: hike along the Costiera dei Cech for jaw-dropping
panoramic views
LA CASCATA CAVRUCCO in Val Masino: an all-ability hike from Cataeggio to
the waterfall
ALPE CULINO in Val Gerola: a family-friendly hike starting in
Rasura where you can experience life on a mountain pasture up-close
PIZZO DEI TRE SIGNORI in Val Gerola: a hike to one of Valtellina’s most
iconic sites, known for being the meeting point of thee Lombardy regions
(Bergamo, Como and Sondrio).
SONDRIO & VALMALENCO
VAL FONTANA: explore a unspoiled, wild and breathtaking
landscape
VAL MADRE: a route that takes you up to the Passo di
Dordona through a valley steeped in history
VAL CERVIA: hike from the village of Cedrasco into one of
the most treasured valleys in the Orobie Alps;
LAGO DELLA CASERA: set off from Albosaggia to reach the
emerald-coloured lake in Valle del Livrio
VAL D'ARIGNA: a spectacular valley in the Orobie Alps known for
its creamy "polenta cropa"
APRICA, TEGLIO, TIRANO AND AROUND
ALPE & LAGO SCHIAZZERA: reachable from Val Saiento, one of the first
valleys in the Rhaetian Alps after Tirano
VAL GROSINA: one of Valtellina’s most luscious, well-looked-after and
worth-visiting valleys with beautifully restored homes. Also worth doing: the
hike to Eita and a route to the Passo Malghero
TRIVIGNO: an oasis amongst trees, meadows and stunning views. Don’t miss
the opportunity to climb Monte Padrio and do a loop of Monte Giovello
SENTIERO DEI CONTRABBANDIERI: the so-called Smugglers Route that takes
hikers along the Rhaetian Alps through vineyards and little villages tracing
the steps of the locals who used to smuggle goods over the border
VAL CARONELLA: a stunning valley recognised as a Site of
Community Importance by the Natura 2000 Network
VAL BELVISO: expect unbeatable nature, fascinating history
and varied fauna as you walk to the lakes of Torena
FONTE DELLA FRASCESCA: generous with its panoramic views, this walk
from Teglio leads you to the refreshing Fonte della Frascesca fountain
VAL BONDONE: cross the mountain torrent of the same name
and explore this under-the-radar gem inside the Parco delle Orobie Valtellinese
that’s well worth uncovering for its rare beauty
ZAPPELLI D'ABRIGA: a gorgeous hike from Villa di Tirano to
Aprica following the ancient "Zapei" – steps cut into the rocks –
that once formed the only link between Valtellina and Val Camonica.
ALTA VALTELLINA
LE TRE BARACCHE to the Passo dello Stelvio: a fairly
challenging hike along trenches, outposts and military roads from World War I
VAL VEZZOLA in Valdidentro: a gorgeous valley close to
the Cancano Lakes
VAL LIA in Valdidentro: hike to l'Alpe Boron for awe-inspiring panoramic views over the majestic
Cima Piazzi glacier or routes towards Val Cardonè
LA ROMANTICA in Valfurva: a beautiful hike from S.
Caterina Valfurva to Dosso Tresero on a twisty route through the forest with
postcard-worthy views
VALLACCIA a Livigno: a mesmerising walk from Trepalle into a landscape
characterised by peace and quiet with steep grassy sides and the odd, beautiful
wooden hut. Follow the valley all the way to reach Val Viola in Valdidentro.