Outdooractive

Start at the base of the impressive falls, where, among the meadows to their right, a path crosses a small stream. From here, on the left, you are in the vicinity of the last houses of the Sarlone district; still on the left, along the path through dense woods, you quickly ascend to the first […]

The natural setting is priceless. You move through an alpine habitat that has remained unchanged, in which signs of anthropization are almost absent. Throughout the hike, you enjoy wonderful views that alone repay the many labors. The whole trail takes about 5 hours and is suitable for those with a good workout in their legs. […]

With a length of about kilometers, a positive elevation gain of 1,000 meters and an average gradient close to 11 percent, the climb from Gordona to Alpe Cermine is certainly no walk in the park. However, the effort is rewarded by countless exciting views of the entire Valchiavenna valley.

The climb begins in Era, the capital of the municipality of Samolaco, at km 5 of provincial road 2 (“Trivulzia”). It is necessary to be very careful in the first part: you must first go along via Roma and, when you arrive at the fork after the bridge, follow the signs for the church on […]

The adventure begins already on the Trivulzia Provincial Road: even the 800 meters before the junction for Valbodengo have uphill characteristics for those coming from Colico. At the crucial junction before the bridge over the Crezza stream, a left turn towards Valbodengo marks the entrance into a different world. The first stretch through Gordona still […]

By following this route you have the opportunity to discover the ancient paths used by the “spalloni”, the smugglers who from long ago transported goods between Switzerland and Italy. Start by car from Gordona. From here, take the road that climbs towards Val Bodengo (you need to get a pass, purchasable at the start of […]

At the end of the village of Campodolcino, follow the provincial road SP1 sunken into the narrow valley floor to the picturesque village of Isola, of which you follow the municipal road and then turn left in front of the historic Cardinello inn, an important stopping point on the Via Spluga. From here you follow […]

A short but intense climb, a favorite of local cyclists to warm up their legs before continuing on to the Spluga Pass. The small village in the hamlet of Fraciscio, home of saint Don Luigi Guanella, is characterized by a welcoming atmosphere and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Lying on the orographic right bank, this […]

This hamlet of Campodolcino is located on the right side of the valley in a panoramic position and is 1,565 meters above sea level on one of the minor shelves below the large rocky escarpment that truncates the Pian dei Cavalli and Piana di San Sisto to the east. Once at the top there is […]

Passing through the historic center of Chiavenna, one reaches the hamlet of Loreto, following the signs for Campedello/Crotti Freege. This leads to the hamlet of Cranna, a popular little gem. Credit is also due to the owners of the houses who take great pains to keep the village tidy at all times. We are about […]

At the top, gathered in a few houses, stands the village of Pianazzola, sun-kissed even in winter and nestled in a scenic spot. The itinerary starts from the center of Chiavenna, nine are the hairpin bends and almost 5 km lead to the village, located at 635 m above sea level, offering a unique panorama: […]

Every mule track is a masterpiece of ingenuity and taste. The long mule track that climbs from Gordona to the Alpe Cermine is among the most beautiful in Valchiavenna. It is the so-called benefactor’s mule track. The view that will open before your eyes during the route, as well as the one you will appreciate […]

The commitment of the CAI members, with the support of the Prata Camportaccio Forest Consortium, gave life to a welcoming and well-organized building, to which many have attached affection and personal memories. For those wanting to reach this destination, there are two very beautiful routes that develop on the two sides of Val Schiesone. From […]

The nucleus of Frasnedo is very characteristic, well preserved and cared for, offering passing tourists the warm hospitality of the refuge of the same name, owned by the consorzio d’alpe, which provides generous meals and overnight lodging. The hamlet can be reached directly from Verceia or by leaving the car at Tracciolino (end of the […]

From Gordona, more trained hikers can already start walking to the alp. Alternatively, one can drive to the village of Donadivo (737 m). From here on foot in three hours you will reach your destination. A third opportunity is provided by the Orlo alp (1165 m) reachable by car, gaining about an hour’s walk, at […]

Daloo is reached on foot starting from Chiavenna, taking the path that climbs from Pianazzola. Until the 1950s, Daloo was inhabited all year round. Here, the school and parish were active, and the community was mainly engaged in agriculture and livestock farming, tending this place like a garden. Today, as then, the meadows that stretch […]

Its difficult geographical conformation, combined with a particularly rich nature, have preserved this stupendous ravine from human action over the years. Impossible not to be captivated by such wild beauty. And it was precisely with those hikers in mind who like to follow the less beaten paths, far from the most frequented routes, that the […]

A valley of 45 square kilometers of territory with no road access, which has managed to maintain an intact natural environment, crossed by footpaths connecting ancient rural clusters and alpine pastures. An area that allows the visitor to enjoy a wide variety of landscapes: from panoramic views of Lake Mezzola, to the canyons carved by […]

The route starts from the hamlet Voga of Menarola and climbs steeply passing through Alpe Dardano (1334 m a.s.l.) and then Alpe Buglio (1554 m a.s.l.). From Alpe Buglio the path continues to the left keeping on the slope; it continues with a slight incline crossing a sparse larch forest. A deviation to the left […]

Valchiavenna is not just “sterile and very high mountains with large rocks,” as Leonardo da Vinci also mentioned during his stay in 1490. It is a splendid place that offers perfect conditions to practice advanced hiking, in search of historical-cultural as well as gastronomic aspects. The possibility of understanding elements of a rural life now […]

From the Italian side, the ascent begins in Chiavenna: its length of no less than 32 kilometers and positive elevation gain of about 1,500 make it an undertaking suitable only for those with sufficient training. From the point of view of gradients, however, there are no major difficulties, except in the last section. In Villa […]

Starting from the Church of San Vittore in Mese, we enter Via Cappella Grande, skirting the important hydroelectric power plant. Keeping to the right, the road begins to climb into Via Madonna delle Grazie and continues into Via Motto. After about 250 m we turn right in the direction of Albareda. Restarting, the road continues […]

After the short detour to Lotteno, continue on and you reach the small but characteristic villages of Uschione and Nesossi. For those who wish, one can continue for a few more kilometers toward Monte Pradella in view of Val Bregaglia, or take, before Uschione, the second detour to the right, which enters the valley of […]

Eected to an ideal start in Piazza Castello, Chiavenna, take Via Maurizio Quadrio and, before reaching the bridge over the Mera, turn right into Via Poiatengo. On this evocative route between the river, woods and cliffs, you arrive in Prosto di Piuro, where the numerous crotti, the church dedicated to the Assumption and a handcrafted […]

The right opportunity to visit its surroundings with an unprecedented overview of Valchiavenna under the gaze of the southwest face of Pizzo di Prata. In addition, for those who use a full bike-that is, one that has both front and rear forks-and have downhill skills, there is also a chance to ride a technical and […]

The climb starts from the fork in the Trivulza Provincial Road (km 11.6), just before the bridge over the Crezza stream, where a right turn toward Coloredo and Menarola marks the beginning of the adventure. The initial route skirts the crystal-clear waters of the Crezza, which rushes down from the Forcola Valley, offering striking views […]

A walk through the streets of downtown Chiavenna to admire historic buildings, museums and stores is definitely a good idea before getting on the bike. Leaving the heart of the town, you begin to climb in altitude, facing a first sloping section at the height of the nucleus of Bette. It continues uphill alongside the […]

Lonely, on top of the mighty rocky spur overlooking the right bank of the valley, between Gordona and San Pietro di Samolaco, this construction draws the attention of many. The construction dates back to the second half of the 12th century and was part of a complex system of sighting and signaling of possible invaders.Easily […]

Stage 1 – Chiavenna to Samolaco We leave Chiavenna along the long straight stretch of Via Volta until we cross the bridge over the Liro stream, after which we turn right entering San Mamete. We descend to the Mese power plant and then climb up to Coloredo locality, where we cross the Crezzo stream to […]

Stage 2 – From Samolaco to Sorico From the hamlet of Era we follow the paved road that climbs to Fontanedo, just before a hairpin bend we take a path that leads briefly to Casenda. We cross the bridge over the stream of the same name until we reach the village of Vigazzuolo. On a […]