The route connecting Romagnese to Santa Margherita di Staffora features two rather long climbs, with a total elevation gain of about 1000 meters. Romagnese is located in the Upper Val Tidone, in the mountainous area of Oltrepò Pavese, easily accessible by following the old SS412 road. It is not far from the Passo Penice. Romagnese lies at an altitude of 650 meters, a prestigious summer and winter resort due to its healthy air. According to tradition, rooted in legend, the ancient village of Romagnese (Castrum Romaniense) is said to have originated from a camp of Roman legionaries who fled after their defeat in the Battle of the Trebbia River at the hands of Hannibal's troops during the Second Punic War (218 BC). Leaving Romagnese, the route climbs up to the scenic Strada di Costa d’Alpe, from which it descends to Piano Margarino and Menconico. A second, less demanding climb leads to Costa Roncassi, and the final 3 km of descent take you to Santa Margherita di Staffora. The itinerary passes through the Monte Alpe Nature Reserve and the village of Menconico. Monte Alpe is interesting both for its chestnut groves and grassy areas, as well as for the presence of artificial conifer plantations (black pine, Scots pine, and larch), which were almost entirely destroyed by fire and later subjected to restoration efforts to promote spontaneous vegetation. There are also petrifying springs that form travertine, particularly valuable for the protection of European habitats. The history of Menconico is closely tied to that of Monte Penice, located near the boundary of the municipality. The toponym Penice, formerly known as "Mons Conicus," is thought to have given the village its name, which means "the place of large rocks." It is said that a pagan temple once stood on the summit of Monte Penice. The land was gifted to Saint Columbanus by Aldovald, son of King Agilulf. Tradition holds that Queen Theodolinda passed through here in 613 on her way to Bobbio to visit Saint Columbanus. The route ends in the municipality of Santa Margherita di Staffora, at 546 meters above sea level, in the mountainous area of Oltrepò Pavese, in the upper Staffora valley. Above the fortress of Santa Margherita, the church is clearly visible, offering a panoramic view of much of the valley. On the side, partially hidden from the provincial road, the remains of the manor/castle, once owned by the Malaspina marquises, are still visible.

A silent valley and its healthy sulphur water with body healing and regenerative properties

New-found fitness and a return to childhood fun in the green heart of the Valle Camonica

The town of Oramala in the Val di Nizza area is one of the most evocative places in the upper Oltrepò valley. Built in the 10th century on a high rocky outcrop by the Malaspina family, the castle's current appearance is 15th century dating to the period in which it was fortified with a massive semi-circular tower to bring it up-to-date with the new defensive requirements caused by the advent of artillery.

The humble local dishes stand alongside traditional and prestigious wines. A journey through the flavors of Franciacorta

P A town in the eastern Oltrepò, whose name originates from the chestnut groves that likely characterized the surrounding hills. Known in ancient times as castrum castanae (literally, the fortified center of chestnuts), Castana was already mentioned in Roman times as ad Castanem in the regional map compiled by the 19th-century historian Severino Capsoni. Located 25 kilometers from the provincial capital, Castana is a small rural town nestled between the Val Versa and the Valle Scuropasso, at just under 300 meters above sea level. In the center of the town are the remains of a medieval castle, built on a hill that dominates the valley, making Castana an important strategic hub. The castle was probably built by the Pavia monks of San Bartolomeo in Strada. The village experienced alternating fortunes over the centuries. In the 1200s, when Castana was just a fortified settlement surrounded by a few houses with straw roofs (as evidenced by a historical document from that period), it was devastated by fighting between the Cremonese and Piacentini forces, who were in conflict with the Marquis of Monferrato, who had sought refuge behind its walls. During the fighting, the castle was set on fire. In 1531, Castana was part of the Broni fiefdom, ruled by the Beccaria family. Upon their extinction, it passed to the Borromeo family and later to the Arrigoni and Pallavicino families. The transition from a medieval village to a renowned wine-producing center was not immediate, but it is certain that today Castana is much better known for its fine wines than for its, albeit interesting, historical and artistic aspects. From its vineyards come excellent red wines such as Barbera, Bonarda, Buttafuoco, Rosso Oltrepò, and Sangue di Giuda. THINGS TO SEE A destination for those seeking good wine and refreshment, especially in the summer, Castana boasts, in addition to the ancient fortress (which was rebuilt in the 1700s and later transformed into a noble palace by the then owners, the Pallavicini Trivulzio family), a parish church. Built in the 19th century, the Church of St. Andrew, now with three naves (the original design had just one), houses valuable paintings and recalls a curious tilted bell tower, which was later demolished for safety reasons and replaced with a "straight" one. SOURCE: UNIONE DI COMUNI LOMBARDA PRIMA COLLINA  

The Valle Camonica rock engravings are as famous worldwide as the wine made in Franciacorta. On a journey of discover what else this area has to offer

8 itineraries to discover Lombardy on foot. From Lake Maggiore to Val Camonica, and from Pavia to the heart of Val Masino.

In the park that includes a hundred of lakes, both natural and artificial, the ptarmigan and the golden eagle are at home

Canyoning in Val Bodengo, close to Lake Como, in the middle of the Mountains, to fight with water and rocks

About 40 km from Bergamo, Colli di San Fermo is a delightful district of the municipality of Grone, and offers memorable views over Val Cavallina. Woods, meadows and pastures, scenery that can be enjoyed from the mountain chain, just over 1000 metres high, looking out onto the Po Valley on one side and the Bergamo Alps on the other.   It is in a strategic position for the super-colourful giant bench, Big Bench #97 in yellow and white. The choice of colours is no coincidence, and reflects the narcissus, the flower that symbolises Colli di San Fermo, once picked by local women and children to sell to tourists. A deeply significant choice that reflects the Big Bench Community aim of making the most of and promoting the local area. To get to Big Bench #97, leave your vehicle in the large car park in Colli di San Fermo, near the Panoramic Belvedere, a refuge and a pond. From here, continue on foot along the route marked by the Cammina Orobie project. You will come to the Bench after about one hundred metres. A little further on, there is another blue and brown bench, not part of the Bangle collection, dedicated to the COVID victims of Val Seriana.  

Chiesa in Valmalenco, strada per Primolo, Lago di Chiesa, Alpe Airale, Rifugio Bosio, Lago di Chiesa, Alpe Pirlo, strada per Lago di Chiesa - ritorno a Chiesa Valmalenco