Val Madre, crossed by the creek Marasco, develops Southwards behind the town of Fusine: the first part of the valley is steep and deep, while at higher elevations it turns into a wide plateau. 

Until the 17th century the valley was an important iron mining site. The very name of the medieval settlment of Fusine comes from "fucine" (the Italian for "forges"), that is the departure point of the road leading up to the Dordona pass, which - together with the San Marco pass in Albaredo - is the only pass accessible to vehicles in the Orobic Alps.

The transit permit for agro-sylvo-pastoral roads can be purchased in the bars in Fusine and gives permission to reach the settlement of Valmadre (1195 m) by car, with the ancient church of St. Matthews. Leave your car and walk along the path that leads to the Medieval church of St. Andrew and the 18th century church of the Madonna delle Selve. The final destination is the Dordona pass, that offers a great view on the Bergamasque Alps, Foppolo and the higher part of Val Brembana, where the well-preserved trenches of the Great war can still be visited.

Itinerary Valmadre - Dordona pass
Departure point: Valmadre (1195 m)
Difficulty: easy
Elevation gain: 861 m a.s.l.
Time: 2.30 hrs
Suggested period: June - October

Source: Parco delle Orobie Valtellinesi
Photo Lago Bernasca and Rifugio Bernasca: Davide Rossi
Photo Passo Dordona and Trenches: Ago76