Bergamo Valle Imagna, a jewel just waiting to be discovered

A little valley that still has a very beautiful natural environment. An excellent choice for horse riding, hiking or mountain biking. Ideal for chilling and good food.

The Bergamo side of the Resegone mountain
There are two possible routes up Resegone: the more popular one from Brumano and another, which starts in Fuipiano and takes two and a half hours to reach the Azzoni mountain refuge. Those wanting a hike lasting several days can take the high altitude path that overlooks Valle Imagna from the upper valley. From Roncola it goes up to the Pertus pass and the Bergamo side of the Resegone mountain, then on to the Zuc di Valbona, the Madonna dei Canti and the Tre Faggi before descending to Berbenno and finally to Clanezzo.

Horse trekking
One way to discover the beautiful sights of this valley is definitely horse trekking along trails and mule tracks. In Valle Imagna there are several agritourisms and stables that organise excursions, lasting one or more days, or simple horse rides on trails suitable for this kind of trekking. Some also offer lessons at the riding school.

Discovering the caves
Valle Imagna is the real queen of the Bergamo caves, and these mountains are home to many, of different sizes. The local speleology group organises visits to the Grotta Val D’Adda in Sant’Omobono Terme, to the Büs di Cornei in Ubiale Clanezzo, which is one of the oldest and the Tomba dei Polacchi in Rota d’Imagna, which winds horizontally for a good 4 km and is thought to have been a prehistoric place of worship.

Highlights

1. Culture. The village of Arnosto is worth a visit. The museum also offers a look back into the past, showing how people in the pre-Alps lived with a collection of tools used by locals, farmers and craftsmen.

2. Art. The Madonna della Cornabusa is a shrine to the Virgin Mary housed in a natural cave that occupies a forbidding position over a sheer drop down to the valley.

3. Traditions. The Sivlì is a traditional three-hole flute, the characteristic musical instrument made by wood turners.

4. Shopping. In Almenno San Bartolomeo, at the Corte di San Tomé, every third Sunday in the month there is a farmers’ market selling genuine local-grown produce.

5. Events. The Imagna Longa is a food and wine walk held in September that offers a chance to discover typical valley products and dishes.