A walk through the orchards in bloom

The blossoms in Valtellina’s apple orchards are an extraordinary spring awakening. Nature returns to the Rhaetian side of the Alps in April, from the province of Sondrio to Switzerland.

Along this natural border, the alluvial cones in the municipal areas of Ponte in Valtellina, Bianzone, and Semio-Lovero, fertile concavities forming a fan, are ideal for the creation of terraces, where vines and apple trees form the backbone of traditional farming life in Valtellina. 

With the arrival of spring in the central Valtellina, there is an authentic sea of blossoms, with flashes of pink and white petals from the apple trees, releasing a sweet, delicate fragrance into the crisp mountain air.  This creates the perfect atmosphere for walks or bike rides around the orchards, using the flower-filled routes to create an itinerary where you can choose your own starting point for a day’s exploring. Cologna, Sernio, Lovero, Villa di Tirano, Chiuro, Ponte in Valtellina, and Tresivio are the locations where you can discover the magic of the apple blossom.  

A floral excursion that offers its best in the sunshine, but also an opportunity to explore the characteristic local villages if your trip is affected by the weather. One of these worth visiting is Ponte in Valtellina, a traditional old village with a centre that seems suspended in the mists of time. Cobbled streets and old courtyards, plus uninhabited noble palazzos create a magical setting in which to discover historic churches and local restaurants where you can enjoy a typical lunch. Just over a 15-minute drive from Sondrio and 20 minutes from Tirano, Ponte in Valtellina is right between these two locations, and is a great place from which to explore nature and history in the spring.