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.

For those moving by car, arriving in Gordona it is necessary to take the consortium road to Val Bodengo.

Transit by cars is allowed with permission that can be acquired online https://www.valbodengo.shop/ or at the village bars.

After passing the Donadivo refreshment stand, continue to Pra Pincée (917 m) where the marked trail to Alpe Campo begins from a large parking area. The signage is well marked. The first section of the trail climbs gently through moist alder, willow, birch and maple forests. At the hairpin bend a marker post with trail signs provides directions to continue into the wild, secluded and surprising Garzelli Valley. The Fall of the Giants When you reach the clearing (1031 m), you bend and climb sharply to the left, passing under an imposing dark rock face known as the “Fall of the Giants.” Challenging climbing routes are present here. The trail begins to climb steeply again with narrow hairpin bends and, having passed a first small valley, enters a mainly fir forest where some specimens of silver fir (ambièz) are of considerable size. As you continue, the surrounding vegetation also changes, with larch trees and underbrush rich in rhododendrons and blueberries.

Once past the forest, Alpe Campo (1656 m) suddenly appears with its small huts, which gathered under rocks have almost all been renovated. Looking up, the mountains that frame the alp make it a picture of incomparable alpine charm. The jagged punta Anna Maria, the pizzi d’Alterno, pizzo Ledù, and monte Rabbi or Rotondo close the horizon to the south, while turning our gaze north we see the unmistakable pyramid of pizzo Stella with pizzo Emet and Suretta to its left.

From Alpe Campo we walk to the left and in an easterly direction we reach a plateau, where among sparse larches on a small log we find signposts indicating the direction to Alpe Borlasca, nearby painted on a boulder red-white arrows confirm the direction. We point north and the view opens up to a wide natural spectacle. To the south we can see the Avért di Campo also called Avérton, where at their apex is the wide Manduario saddle, a crossing point to Val Soe. The Manduario saddle is bordered toward Val Bodengo by the characteristic Monte Cucco. Below us dense mixed forests of beech, fir and birch cover the steep banks of the Val Garzelli. To the east we can see peeking out, behind the Codera – Masino rock walls, Mount Disgrazia almost always cloaked in snow.

The trail continues with several hairpin bends, and coming out of the woods the wide knoll with the meadows and huts of Bedolina (946 m) opens up. At the upper edge of this hill rises a small church with a large churchyard shaded by magnificent beech trees. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation and was blessed in 1764. It served the mountain people of Bedolina, Garzelli, Brusada, Prà Pincée and Barzena. On the facade of the church to the right of the portal, a plaque lists the names of workers who died in the construction of the tunnel to bring water to the Mese Hydroelectric Power Plant (1940-1945). As many as 19 of them perished buried by an avalanche in the Garzelli Valley on April 5, 1941. Leaving the little church behind, we walk along the car road to the junction, where the track to Mount Garzelli begins, which we follow to a marker post and walk on a level path back to the footbridge over the Boggia and to the parking lot of the beautiful group of houses at Pra Pincèe.

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 the expense, however, of losing the pleasure of walking along the jewel of a mule track, along the “Benefactor’s Path,” which passes through a beautiful beech forest and leads to the alp.

Among meadows, stones, rhododendrons and in the larch forest you look at the summit. Through large pastures following the markers you reach a small bridge and a little further on, past some rocky crags, the Lavorerio house/shelter (1862 m).

The building is divided into two parts: the southern one is used for agricultural activities, while the northern side is used as a dwelling/shelter with the purpose of promoting and enhancing the Lavorerio alp and the whole valley. Today this building is made available to organizations and associations, interested in spending a vacation stay here, fully enjoying the magnificent landscapes.From the refuge there is a regenerating view of the entire valley. Clearly visible to the east are the glades of Cermine and Orlo and in the background Pizzo di Prata, the peaks of Masino, Codera and Engadine.

The refuge is not managed. It is therefore necessary to pick up the keys and purchase a transit permit at the San Martino bar in Gordona or online by clicking here

The rest of the alp is surrounded by impressive crags at first grassy, then rocky to the northwest. Magnificent are the granite slabs to the south.

It should be considered that beyond the hut, the trail is less obvious and the markings are much rarer, so it is necessary to be equipped with a map and adequate orientation skills.

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 leads to Alpe Forcola (1838 m) where the namesake bivouac and a beautiful panorama are located. The bivouac is always open, unattended, and maintenance is regularly carried out by the Pro Loco of Menarola. There are 12 equipped beds, a stove with a wood kitchen, and a bathroom with running water.

From here it is possible to continue the ascent towards Forcola Pass or towards Val Capra (high route).

It is possible to return to Dardano/Voga passing by Alpe Cima.

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 once you reach the top, will reward you for the effort of the climb.

To reach Donadivo by car you need to obtain a permit. You can request it at the bars in the municipality of Gordona or buy it online https://www.valbodengo.shop/

You then drive along the consortium road and when you reach Donadivo, you can leave the car in the parking area.

The start of the mule track is easy to find: from here the climb begins on the beautiful stone path that leads into the woods. The route offers no respite and from the 750 meters of Donadivo you climb until you reach Alpe Orlo at an altitude of 1165 meters. The route is fascinating, especially in autumn when the first cold spells start the slow change in the color of the leaves from green to shades of orange and yellow.

The panorama opens to the north towards Val Bregaglia and to the south on Lake Novate Mezzola. The route offers a very favorable perspective, enhanced by the hillside which during these months is often frequented by mushroom and chestnut lovers.

The first stage ends at Alpe Orlo from where you continue to Alpe Cermine (1350 m) always following the mule track once used to connect the alpine pastures with the valley and the inhabited centers.

Just follow the signage placed along the ridge to gradually exit the woods. Then you will cross the mountain following the contour path, until you notice at the summit the characteristic white chapel with a circular plan that signals the arrival at Alpe Cima. Here the altitude is just below 1900 meters.

The panorama more than compensates for the effort and time spent walking.

From the meadows of Alpe Cima the view ranges from the peaks of Val Codera to the granite mass of Pizzone di Prata, ascending further towards Bregaglia where the Sciora group with its five peaks dominates, framed by Cengalo and Badile.