Tucked into the Parco dello Orobie Valtellinese, Valgerola
is all mountains and meadows, where you can while away the long hours of summer
daylight on its pastures. Like most Alpine valleys, the range in altitude
unlocks a myriad of landscapes. From deciduous to coniferous forests, pastures
to rocky ridges and peaks, each habitat presents its own vegetation and unique
nature.
For lovers of the outdoors, Val Gerola has a lot to offer in
every season. Hiking is the go-to activity throughout summer, catering to all
levels and distances. Lago di Pescegallo should feature on everyone’s
itinerary; after all, the chair lift, which remains open in summer, offers
easier access to this beautiful Alpine lake. Climbing is also a big thing in this
valley, with many marked and pitched routes for sport climbing as well as
designated climbing parks, like the GerolaSass which opened in 2019.
While summer days fill up blissfully with relaxation and
adventure, the snowy season turns Val Gerola into a mesmerising winter
wonderland, where time stands still. The ski area of Valgerola–Pescegallo becomes the centre of the fun. This small resort is a haven
offering natural snow-sure conditions, with superb slopes, ski mountaineering
routes, and snowshoeing hikes and enough to keep you on the mountain all day.
Top picks for sights of interest include Gerola Alta’s Eco-Museum and the ‘Camera Picta’ series of 15th-century frescoes found
in Pirondini, part of the village of Sacco, depicting the ‘Homo Salvadego’, the
typical inhabitant of these mountain valleys and a symbol of Alpine farming
culture. Amongst the many places of worship and shrines dotted throughout the
valley’s small hamlets, the Church of San Bartolomeo – first recorded in 1307 –
merits a visit as does the 18th-century Oratory of the Confratelli.
Info: www.valgerolaonline.it
