Castello dell'Acqua

There is an area, West of Sondrio, where you can't do without noticing the sunlit terraced vineyards where the Valtellina Superiore Sassella DOCG is produced.  The first part of the tour crosses the typical terraced vineyards of the Rhaetic Alps, offering wonderful sights of the river Adda and the valley floor. In the second part of the tour, connecting Castione Andevenno to Sondrio, the route is almost entirely flat and crosses Parco Bartesaghi, that is Sondrio's most important green area.  Two places touched by the route are definitely worth a visit: SANTUARIO DELLA MADONNA DEL SASSELLA The Sanctuary was built Nestled on a rocky spur in the Fifteenth century and has become one of the symbols of this area, as it can easily be seen from the state road.    ROCK ENGRAVINGS LA GANDA, CASTIONEA recent discovery shed light on La Ganda (Castione Andevenno): a rock engraved about 3,000 years ago. There are a great number of engravings and most of them have antropomorphic features. 

It is a rare example of “castello gemino” or twin castle, composed of two similar buildings enclosed by the same walls

The next leg takes us to the centre of Bormio, where its wine cellars invite us to a new world of discovery, open to visitors every Wednesday and Saturday.   It is here that the local bitter ages for two years in giant wooden barrels made of fine oak from Slavonia, a legendary Alpine product in Valtellina. The recipe dates back to 1875 and was concocted by the pharmacist Francesco Peloni. The bitter Braulio  is made with different herbs from the area, such as gentian, juniper and wormwood. The liquor is the result of a secret ingredient that nobody knows: a perfect balance of tastes that makes it the go-to digestif after a rich local meal. Follow the tunnels of the subterranean labyrinth under the old town, from the room of infusion and filtration, the alcohol deposit and cellars where the liquor ages, and become familiar with the care and dedication with which bitter is historically produced.    (Ph: lavaltelllina.it)

Loop routes, alpine views, and sporting events in the mountains of Alta Valtellina.

Valtellina

The Pump Track is a track consisting of small jumps, bumps and parabolic curves, designed to be ridden without ever pedaling!

Valmalenco Ecofauna Association

When you visit Valtellina you can't do without noticing the importance of the farming industry, the heritage of a centuries-long tradition. The first testimony of this rich history is to be found in the in a document written in 1531, which records the mills existing at the time. The mill were built in the Middle Ages and fell in disuse in recent decades. The Mulino Oberti Carmelino  is a two-storey building, that still houses the old wooden workings. On the Northern side, below th round window, "1886" is painted, which probably is the date of the renovation works. There is also a writing on the ground floor: "Mulino n.56 - del 1934" (Mill nr 56 - since 1934). Other parts of the building, such as the stairs on the Northern side and the balcony were built more recently. In the Seventies the mill lost its function, the watercourse that supplied water was buried and the wheel was removed. 

The Sanctuary was built along the Castles route, that crosses the Rhaetian slope and its typical terraced vineyards.

Cima Motta

Campo Moro