In the shadow of the most imposing peak of the Orobie Valtellinesi, Pizzo di Coca (3050 m), the itinerary unfolds in the shady Val d'Arigna and is dotted with suggestions, both religious and cultural. Not to mention that the 10 monitored glaciers make Val d'Arigna the most glaciated area in the Orobie Valtellinesi. Protagonist of the highly committed hike is the figure of St. Stephen who, before suffering martyrdom by stoning, also passed through Valtellina for the work of evangelization. On the Orobic side he departed from the village of Castello dell'Acqua, ascending the mountains to find refuge, taking flight to reach places of meditation, as legend has it. Today the saint's traces are visible in place names such as the Lower Lake of Santo Stefano and the pass of the same name at 2693 m, but also on the marks imprinted on some rocks where legend has it that the saint had placed his feet and the "cazzet" he used to curdle milk, received as alms. The strenuoushike starts from Briotti (1049 m), gateway to the Orobie Valtellinesi Park, a hamlet of the municipality of Ponte in Valtellina, where Santo Stefano undertook the last stretch of the walk. Take trail number 265 to Prati di Torre (1145 m) and Baite Bernè (1310 m), then enter a cool forest. When you reach Baita Spanone (1559 m) stop to look for a new footprint of the saint placed on a rock. Following to the right towards Bocchetta di Santo Stefano, you touch the Zocc de li Möli, at the foot of the dam, come across the small church of Santo Stefano (1848 m) and climb up towards Lago di Sopra (2124 m). On this route, you catch a glimpse of Middle Lake (1936 m) on the left as you walk up the steep slope to Bocchetta (2378 m). From here the view sweeps seamlessly over the glacial balconies that house the three lakes, glimpsing the Adamello and Cevedale mountain groups, the Bernina and Badile massifs, and Monte Rosa in the distance. On the opposite side of the Bocchetta, a valley descends to the Armisola Alp, while just above the Lago Inferiore (2139 m) a path branches off on the left hydrographic side that leads in just under an hour to the Gino and Massimo hut in Grioni (1850 m). From the refuge for the descent to Briotti via Armisola (trail 267) one can take the forest track that passes through Paiosa (1160 m) and descends to the former Gaggio decauville; alternatively the trail that touches Mason di Sopra (1412 m), Le Piane (1240 m) and from there to Briotti.

The Bondone Valley, crossed by the stream of the same name, is one of the lesser-known valleys in the Orobie Valtellinesi Park but one that hides corners of extreme beauty.   Leaving the car in the quaint village of Bondone (1,200 m), where the church dedicated to the Assumption is immediately visible, the road climbs for the first stretch through spruce and larch forests until it reaches the huts of Monte Basso (1,570 m). Continuing on a steeper path to the Cantarena hut (2070 m), the valley opens up and the rugged landscape highlights the shaping action of the rocks by the glaciers. In this area we can observe several small lakes among which the most important is Cantarena or Selù lake at an altitude of 2260 m. Val Caronella and Val Bondone are Site of Community Importance, Natura 2000 Network. (Archive photo Parco delle Orobie Valtellinesi)

Chiuro, Castionetto, Torre di Castionetto, Dalico, Costa di San Gaetano - ritorno a Chiuro

Mountain huts in Lombardy: discovering the secrets of the mountains

A short itinerary with a 500-meter elevation gain that leads to the Hermitage of Sant'Alberto di Butrio. In the first part of the ascent, you pass through Oramala and its castle. After reaching Poggio del Re, the route continues with gentle ups and downs. This hike through the hills of Oltrepò Pavese, starting from the village of Varzi, takes us to a very special place: the Hermitage of Sant'Alberto di Butrio. The village of Sant'Alberto di Butrio is named after the priest Alberto, who, having given away all his wealth to the poor, retired as a hermit in the mountains. Alberto built a small church there, placing it under the protection of the Virgin. Other men inspired by faith gathered around him, and thus the Abbey was born, governed by the rules of Saint Benedict. Gregory VII mentioned it in a letter to the monks in 1074, the year in which the founder and first abbot, Sant'Alberto, likely died. The Abbey, especially due to large donations from the Malaspina family and other lords, quickly became very wealthy. In 1158, the Abbot, now rich and powerful, purchased the County of Pizzocorno from Obizzo Malaspina. The Abbey became a destination for illustrious figures, and tradition says that Frederick Barbarossa stayed there and that the English King Edward II is buried there. In the 16th century, Pope Leo X merged it with the Abbey of Saint Bartholomew in Pavia. This led to a decline in the Abbey’s importance, and it was suppressed by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810. The Hermitage of Sant'Alberto di Butrio, dedicated to the hermit abbot who founded the Abbey, is considered a jewel of medieval architecture. Nearby, the village of San Ponzo is of great interest. Completely built in local stone, it still retains the authenticity of its medieval layout. Not far away are the caves of San Ponzo, where the saint hermit from the Roman period lived. Near the caves, there is a spring of miraculous water and a resting area for visitors. Before reaching the hermitage, you will encounter the Castle of Oramala, which became the favored residence of the Malaspina court and hosted many well-known troubadours of Occitan Provençal culture. The castle, now a private residence, is currently closed to the public.  

From the Valle Brembana to the Val Seriana. Discover seven tips from those who have travelled the Bergamo Orobie far and wide

Created by the Rotary Club Valle Staffora in collaboration with the Nuova Pro Loco and the Municipality of Retorbido, the Big Bench, the giant bench, is part of the Big Bench Community Project, number 124 of the project. The Big Bench located in Retorbido was installed in the airy and peaceful tranquility of the "colle delle Torricelle" (hill of Torricelle), from where you can enjoy an enviable panorama that spans from the Maritime Alps to the Brescia Prealps. From the hill, you can enjoy incredible views of the surrounding vineyards, the Madonna del Monte of Rivanazzano, and Retorbido itself. The more keen observers claim that, in particular weather conditions, it is even possible to see the monastery of the Sacra di San Michele, an iconic symbol of the Piedmont region, located at the entrance to the Val di Susa. To reach the bench, enter Retorbido from the roundabout of Bressana-Salice Terme, cross the village until you reach Via Torricelle. We suggest parking your car in Via Meardi and walking up Via Torricelle to the bench. The bench is also accessible by bike from the nearby GreenWay Voghera Varzi. For those who love walks and landscapes, for those who love running and wellness, 5 km of pure nature and relaxation with L'ANELLO DI RETORBIDO, 5 KM BETWEEN BIG BENCH, NATURE, AND LANDSCAPES.

Passo del Tonale is located on the border between Lombardy and Trentino Alto Adige. Passo del Tonale is a natural, outdoor and scenic amphitheatre that unfolds from 1,884 to 3,100 metres above sea level. Passo del Tonale is one of the most famous ski resorts in northern Italy. A natural amphitheatre that separates the Camonica Valley from Val di Sole, its extends from 1800 to 3000 metres above sea level between the Ortler Alps and Adamello-Presanella mountain groups, offering the opportunity to practice almost any kind of winter sport in contact with unspoilt and welcoming natural surroundings. Its lifts, connected to those of Ponte di Legno and Val di Sole, provide access to more than a hundred kilometres of slopes. Passo del Tonale, fully exposed to the sun, is the ideal place for learning how to ski, with slopes suitable for both beginner and seasoned skiers. From the legendary black "Paradiso" trail (3 km long with a slope of 710 metres) to the sprawling and scenic Alpino trail that is 4,500 meters in length and 725 metres in altitude. One not-to-be-missed slope is the direct route of Presena-Tonale-Pontedilegno: an 11 km long trail with a slope of 1740 metres. In addition to the ski slopes, the resorts also have a Freestyle Arena snow park and an easy Arena, an area for beginners for safely practicing jumps and tricks. Be sure to try snow tubing: a downhill adventure on top of a special, oversized tyre. The area of Passo del Tonale offers ski touring opportunities for exploring the natural settings and traces of the White War (the named used by locals to indicate the First World War), which ravaged these areas at the beginning of the last century. What's more, you can immerse yourself in the enchantment of the mountains and woods with snowshoes or even practice Nordic walking. In summer, this is the ideal starting point for heading out on walks, practicing mountaineering and mountain biking along the route of the Adamello Bike Arena. The Paradiso cable car that leads to the glacier is also open during the summer months, at the disposal of mountaineers and anyone interested in going for a hike in the mountains. A holiday in Passo del Tonale is an opportunity to discover the surroundings, filled with relics from the past, like the rock drawings of Valcamonica, and destinations for relaxation and well-being, such as the thermal baths of Darfo Boario. Finally be sure to taste the local food and wine specialities that bring together the finest traditions of Northern Lombardy and Trentino.

Internationally-renown ski resort in a unique position on the far northern foothills of the province of Brescia

Valsabbia, just a few kilometres from the Garda lake, with fir and hazelnut trees, invite you for an all-round relaxing experience