Snowshoeing in Val Gerola

A classic tool for the winter months, snowshoes are getting back in on the act. Worn underneath your regular hiking boots, snowshoes – called ciaspole or racchette da neve in Italian – allow you to explore the seasonal curiosities of winter in the mountains and valleys here while everything is dormant in the forests, treading a path across the snow with glimpses of animals that spend their winters in this white landscape.

Val Gerola has a range of snowshoe walks, but amongst those not-to-miss, make sure you head up to Monte Olano, Rifugio Salmurano, and Pescegallo.