For those
who love running – whether on mountain trails, technical terrain, or smooth,
scenic paths – Valtellina offers a wealth of options. This alpine valley caters
to all abilities, from gentle riverside routes to high-altitude skyrunning
adventures.
For an easy-going
run, the Sentiero Valtellina is a 114 km shared-use path that follows
the River Adda from Colico to Bormio. Its largely paved surface makes it ideal
for long-distance efforts, while similar flat, traffic-free paths can be found
in Valchiavenna, Bormio, and Livigno—perfect for relaxed runs or structured
training sessions.
For those
looking for something more “trail”, the Via dei Terrazzamenti a marked route that winds along the
sun-drenched slopes of the Rhaetian Alps (find out more here) – offers a mix of
off-road terrain and vineyard views. Portions of this undulating route feature
in the annual Valtellina Wine Trail, a race with three distances known as
much for its scenery as for its challenge.
For a
tougher day out or multi-day adventure, the Sentiero Rusca climbs from Sondrio
through Valmalenco to the Passo del Muretto, linking Valtellina to
Switzerland.
At higher elevations, Valtellina has much to
offer skyrunners, with routes that rise from valley floors to dramatic ridges,
offering thousands of metres of elevation gain. The region is home to some of
the sport’s most iconic races, including the legendary Trofeo Kima, a 52
km event in Val Masino that crosses seven mountain passes with a formidable
4,200 metres of ascent and descent.
