Medieval atmosphere on the top of a hill

A green way towards the Appennines

A trek with multiple possibilities of roads to take

Basilica of San Pietro al Monte: a walk to a treasure in the wood

The important history of San Zenone al Po is linked to its location on the confluence of the Olona and Po rivers. From the Middle Ages onwards armies and river fleets passed through the site and many battles took place. Eminent personalities from this land of rivers include Gianni Brera, sport journalist and writer, in whose writings San Zenone and the Po river often make an appearance and are linked to his childhood stories.

This trip takes place between the provinces of Sondrio and Brescia, among amazing sceneries provided by valleys and mountains.   The path starts form Malonno province of Brescia, an ancient, feudal villoge as youcan easily notice looking at its three fowers.Taking SS 42 in the direction for Tonale for 10 Km, you will cross Edolo, and its higherHamlet Mù.  From Edolo you can take SS 39 towards Tirano and tollowing this bendy rood you reach Teglio,  famous for the Aprica Pass and tor its castle. Going on you arrive on Tirano, venue of a wondertul Cathedral of the Virgin Lady.The trip keeps on towards Tovo San' Agata, with its wondertul castle and the tower, andafter this, fhe path hnishes when you arrive in Sondalo enchanting resot among the mountains  of Sondrio. Places to visit: Bergamo: The high part of the city with the Cathedral enclosed by wall ina good state of And the tower, full Preservation. Spinone al lago: great panorama  on Endine's Lake minerale. Darfo-Boario: very famous ther mai bath and Minerai water springs. Cividate Camuno: Wood Brickge built in 1830 berween Darfoe Corna You can find near the archeoiogicol park of Luine. famous place because here were found archeoiogical tools and a preistorical shack if you visit it, you can relieve your forefather history. Capo di Ponte: Nationai Park of engravings ot Nacquane, reachablethrough a narrow street in the Woods Place rich in nature. Cemmo: San Siro Church withits bell tower on a precipice above Oglio River, center of the religious and administrative life of the country.  

Along the Muzza Canal, hidden in the fields, is a charming little oratory, with classical-Renaissance proportions, some believe designed by a young Bramante together with Bartolomeo Suardi, also known as Bramantino. The fine architecture is singular in its location because it is in the context of a rural nucleus almost lost in this upper Lodi countryside. The itinerary proposed here follows the Muzza Canal, one of the oldest in the Po Valley; in fact, one of its sections dates back to Roman times. The flowing of its waters will accompany the ride until reaching the village of Lavagna, an ancient feud of the Visconti family, and ending at the oratory of San Biagio. It should be kept in mind that the latter remains open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 1 to 4:30 pm. The car is to be left in the municipality of Paullo, near the water house near Tarcisio Park. We immediately jump into the saddle and follow Via Martiri Villa Pompeiana and, just past the curious church of San Tarcisio, turn left along Via A. Manzoni. Shortly afterwards we reach the crossroads with via Alcide de Gasperi, on the left, and via Santa Maria Mazzarello, on the right, here the ride seems to have to stop for works but instead it is possible to pass through the construction site and, reach the crossroads with the Paullese. Here one must wait for the green light at a particularly slow traffic light to cross the provincial road and reach the hamlet of Conterico.From Conterico take the dirt bike path along the canal and follow it to the village of Lavagna. The views along the canal offer enchanting glimpses of the Orobie and Lario mountains. In particular, at the height of one esse of the watercourse, one can make out Resegone, which seen from here is almost unrecognizable. The waters of the canal are clear and it is not uncommon to see some swans. We get back on the road and pass under the ring road. You still continue on the dirt road when, almost suddenly, theoratory of San Biagio appears among the trees and remains on the opposite side of the canal. We continue and, in a short time, reach the bridge that allows us to gain the opposite bank of the Muzza. Here there is the silent hamlet of Lavagna, a village suspended in time. We pass the town's parish and take the Rossate street that accompanies us along several fields to our destination.The Oratory of San Biagio stands humbly in the green surroundings of the Rossate farmstead, small but with a subdued beauty that fascinates and excites. The rustic air of exposed brick matches the complex structure in a pleasantly unexpected way. Seeing the time-faded fresco on the facade, one is left to wonder what it looked like five hundred years ago.Poking around a bit in the surroundings one realizes that one can go around the surrounding fields and go to see the opposite side. When the exploration is over, one can return to the car by following the same route as on the way out. Shortly after leaving the oratory the view opens up with the Orobie Mountains as a backdrop to the four houses of Rossate-a breathtaking sight. - Cover image: @mattiabedetti

A land to explore on 2 wheels...

Reaching the parking lot of the San Giuseppe chairlift, take the dirt road that starts from the bridge, after a few hairpin bends through coniferous forests, you reach the locality of Barchi, where you can find another parking lot, from here the path turns into a trail towards the Barchi refuge. The ascent takes about an hour and a half, sometimes in the woods sometimes among the clearings, until you reach the wide and striking plain of Palù Lake (m 1921 a.s.l.), unparalleled is the view from its Palu' refuge, on the left of the lake. A half-hour walk along the shores provides magnificent views. There is an alternative route that is a bit longer, that is, after leaving the parking lot of Barchi provides the path on the right, it goes into the woods passing through the villages Paluetto, the Barchetto and the Zocca. N.B. in summer it is possible to take the ski lifts from Chiesa in Valmalenco more conveniently and, once you reach Alpe Palù, head to the lake with a pleasant walk of a few minutes.