Snowshoeing in Valmalenco

Turning to the Alpine Guides of Valmalenco is the best way to enjoy snow excursions with peace of mind. Amongst the many winter season offers, there are always planned guided moonlight tours with snowshoes, as well as fantastic springtime tours of Bernina (4050 m).

1) ALPE DELL'ORO 2010 m – BEFORE THE MAJESTIC MOUNT DISGRAZIA

Departure place: Chiareggio 1593 m

Ascent: 400 mt

Walking time (one way): 1,30 hrs

Easy route on a mule track. Departing from Chiareggio, follow the road leading to the Muretto Pass and that will take you to Alpe dell’Oro without difficulty.
This path is mostly beaten in Spring, when the road that links San Giuseppe to Chiareggio is open and the sun begins to shine over the valley.

The path gradually climbs through the fir wood until it reaches an elevation from which there is a wonderful sight of the Northern face of mount Disgrazia.
Bars and restaurants: in Chiareggio, open all year round.

2) ENTOVA 1926 m – LONELY ALPE ENTOVA

Departure place: San giuseppe 1500 m

Ascent: 426 m

Duration (one way): 1,30 hrs

Follow the road that starts at the parking of the Barchi chair lift and leads to Barchi-Lago Palù for 10 minutes, then turn on the left, heading Westwards, and take the path that crosses pristine pastures and woods until you reach Alpe Entova. Follow the signs to Bracciascia-Alpe Entova, on the way to the Longoni hut.

Bars and restaurants: at the departure place (S. Giuseppe)

3) THE MAGIC OF LAKE PALU' 2010 m

Departure place: San giuseppe 1500 m

Ascent: 510 m

Duration (one way): 1,30 hrs
Bars and restaurants: along the route – Barchi hut and or La Gusa restaurant, Palù hut. In the ski area there are several kiosks, Campanacci restaurant or Malga Rundai.

An easy itinerary that is perfect for families. The snow-clad path twists and turns up to Barchi and then through the woods. It isn’t difficult at all to orient oneself since the path is widely known and well-signaled. Those wanting to take an alternative and “lonelier” walk can reach Lake Palù passing through Paluetto and Barchetto. In this case the ascent is slightly steeper but fulfilling thanks to the amazing view of the pastures it crosses. We suggest a walk around the Lake (about 40 min); this is an easy trail on the shores of the lake from which there is an amazing sight of the surrounding mountains. The bravest may walk on the frozen - usually snow-clad - lake.

 4) THE UNTAMED ALPE MUSELLA 2021 m

Departure place: Campo Franscia 1502 m

Ascent: 519 mt

Duration (one way): 2 hrs

This is a very interesting, quite easy route. Departing from Campo Franscia, cross the bridge and, once close to the Scerscen creek, take the path/mule track that ascends first to Alpe Foppa and from there follow the signs to Alpe Musella. It is possible to take an alternative return path: descend from Alpe Campascio and from there follow the wide path that reaches the departure point of the Campolungo chair lift. The path descends steeply along the huts in Dosso dei Vetti and in a little time reaches the highest part of Campo Franscia.
Bars and restaurants: hotel/restaurant Edelweiss in Campo Franscia
IMPORTANT: Alpe Musella can also be reached departing from Campo Moro. Park the car close to the first dam. Walk on the dam wall and follow a dirt road and after a while take the path on the right until reaching Alpe Musella. It is possible to go back to Campo Franscia by crossing Alpe Campascio.

5) AT THE FOOT OF PIZZO SCALINO - ALPE PRABELLO 2227 m
Departure place: Parking on the road to Campo Moro 1940 m

Ascent: 290 m

Duration (one way): 2 hrs
Bars and restaurants: Cà Runcasch hut, open all year round in Campagneda. Cristina hut open on Saturday and Sunday.

Classic route with several alternatives. The easiest route starts at the parking of the Cà Runcasch and Cristina mountain huts at about 1900 m. The road from Campo Franscia is usually snow-clad, therefore it’s necessary to travel with chains aboard or winter tires. Leaving the parking it’s easy to reach Campascio, where two paths depart:

- follow the signs on the right, direction South-East leading to the Cristina hut;
- follow the road, go by the Cà Runcasch hut and then keep on following the road that leads to the plateau of Prabello.
THE TOUR OF THE 3 HUTS – This is a great alternative to the previous route, but the car has to be left at the parking of the first dam. After a 5 minute walk you’ll reach the Zoia hut (open on weekends in winter). Follow the steep path along the cliffs used for climbing, where the wood gets sparser and sparser. Here there’s a hump from which there’s a wonderful view of Valmalenco and Pizzo Scalino. Walk another 45 minutes to reach Alpe Campagneda. Close to the agriturismo Il Cornetto, follow a small path that crosses the woods towards the Cristina hut/Alpe Prabello or head for the Cà Runcasch hut and then go towards Prabello. You can take the same route to go back to the departure point or choose to pass by the foot of Pizzo Scalino, direction North-East, until reaching the first lake of Campagneda, that freezes in winter. In a short time you’ll get back to Cà Runcasch and then to the Zoia hut.

6) AT THE FOOT OF PIZZO SCALINO - ALPE PRABELLO 2227 m

Departure point: Alpe Largone 1800 m

Ascent: 427 m

Duration of the whole loop route: 5 hrs
Bars and restaurants: Cristina hut, open on Saturday and Sunday. Close to the described route there is the Cà Runcasch hut, open all year round.

If you have good orientation skills you can carry out the ascent towards Alpe Largone inferiore, following a path through the woods. Park along the road to Campo Moro (about 1800 m) and go South-Westward towards Alpe Largone superiore and then Aquanegra. From here, go North-Eastward until reaching Alpe Prabello, where the Cristina hut is located. The way back passes by Sasso dell’Agnello. This is a rarely beaten and demanding route: the reason is not the ascent, but the strong orientation skills that it requires, in particular in the event of heavy snow, when it is hard to find traces of the path.

7) THERE ONCE WAS A LAKE – THE LAKE OF CHIESA 1614 m

Departure point: Chiesa in Valmalenco 1100 m

Ascent: 514 m

Duration (ascent only): 1,30 hrs

Duration of the Chiesa/Alpe Lago/Pirlo/Primolo loop: 4hrs
Bars and restaurants: in Primolo only
Among larches and pines towards the wonderful basin of Alpe Lago. The route begins at the first hairpin turn on the road to Primolo. Follow the snow-clad path that ascends through the larch wood and, by leaving on your right the path to Alpe Giumellino, you’ll reach Alpe Lago. You can take the same route to go back to Chiesa or, as an alternative, keep going Northward until Pirlo and then Primolo.

In Pirlo there is the interesting slimestone path that also leads to an ancient lathe. From Primolo, follow the path that in short time takes you to Gande, in Chiesa in Valmalenco. In case you want to follow this loop it is advisable to park the car in Gande in the morning. As an alternative, depart from Primolo and follow the road that goes back to the first hairpin turn.