Branzi, in the heart of Val Brembana, is where time follows a different rhythm, to the sound of rivers and the rustle of the woods. The village nestles among the mountains where it is the ideal destination for walks, hikes and snowshoeing for all tastes.   Branzi combines the beauty of natural landscapes with its picturesque centre, where the houses with their slate roofs, the quiet squares and stone bridges create views straight off a picture postcard. Along the route of the Borleggia river, with its bridges and cobbled streets, you can follow trails to take you into woods, the Branzi waterfall, and historic wards, with panoramic views over the surrounding mountains.  Every walk offers stunning views and, in the winter, is a perfect opportunity for a snowshoe outing immersed in the silence of the snow-covered woods. And the village has even more colour to offer at sunset. Branzi is also home to taste and tradition: it is here that the cheese of the same name, used in many local recipes - including polenta taragna  - is made. It is still possible to purchase typical local dairy produce, including yoghurt, cream, and other valley specialities. The village is definitely the perfect stop for combining your discovery of the mountains with the pleasure of fine dining. The area around Branzi takes in some enchanting panoramic views, including Lake Carona, where nature and silence blend together to offer a regenerating experience and the village of Cornello dei Tasso, where history and tradition come together in a setting that combines cultural discover and unique landscapes.  

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Along hike with a fair amount of development and elevation gain. Not too demanding, but still requiring a good level of physical preparation and ability to assess snow conditions, in short sections on steep slopes. A solitary route immersed in enchanted places and directed toward a peak to which the official maps do not even give a name, but which the locals call in dialect "Scima de Cavisciöla."We are in Tartano (Sondrio). From the square we reach the contrada Biorca where we leave the car in a large parking lot. With negligible inclines, proceed southwest along the dirt road on the right of the stream, corresponding to path 113 that leads to the Pedena Pass. After about two kilometers you reach contrada Barbera, on the opposite side of contrada Bagini.Continuing straight ahead you enter the Budria valley. After another easy stretch of about two kilometers the valley ends and you are faced with a high rock barrier. You go around it by standing to the right on a steep, winding path on the slopes of Mount Pedena. Attention should be paid to snow conditions in some steep couloirs. You reach a scenic balcony of pastures near the Saröden huts (1,976 m) below the Pedena pass saddle (2,234 m).You head eastward to the narrow notch of the Bocchetta di Lago (2,202 m), after passing the Pizzo del Vento (2,235 m). At the summit of Mount Tartano (2,292 m) enjoy an excellent descent to the plateau of the Sona Alta cheese factory. From there, climb up to the saddle of the Orobic ridge that separates the provinces of Sondrio and Bergamo. Continue to the branch-off that leads east to the Lemma peak (2,348 m) and the Val Lunga di Tartano and south to the Siltri peak (2,175 m) and the Val Brembana. The final summit is called in dialect "Scima de Cavisciöla" or Western Lemma (2,266 m), although the peak is listed but not named on Military Geographical Institute cartography. It is located about 200 meters northeast of the better-known Pizzo Rotondo (2,237 m).The descent is along the Lemma valley, skirting in the final part the road alongside the Tartano stream until reaching the bridge at Barbera locality and continuing to the car on the initial route.  

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