• Active & Green

Val Trompia, where nature and ancient mines await visitors

The mountains and huts of Val Trompia have always been an irresistible attraction for all hikers wishing to discover more than 70 itineraries and landscapes of unparalleled beauty,

spanning from the Adamello mountain complex to the Monte Rosa massif, and feel they can almost reach out and touch the Alps with their hands.

The trails around mount Guglielmo
Hikers visiting Val Trompia should not miss a climb to mount Guglielmo, a major hiking destination in the Brescia province. Many trails depart from the small villages erected on the slopes of the mountain and reach its peak. The village called Zone offers one of the most charming points of departure, with a view on natural pyramids formed by water erosion and known as the “Camini delle Fate” (Fairies’ Chimneys). These surprising natural ‘sculptures’ can be found in a nature reserve. The trail runs gently at first, then becomes steeper, crosses the Valbures river, touches the small church of the Madonna del Disgiolo, the pasture of the Malga Aguina dairy farm and the Rifugio Almici, and reaches the final destination for a total walking time of 2 hours and 30 minutes. An alternative return path that is worth taking departs from the Palmarusso and Casentiga dairy farms, crosses the “Bosco degli Gnomi” (a “Gnomes Forest” adorned with 45 wooden statues by the artist Luigi Zatti depicting fictional forest dwellers), and reaches the point of departure.

The Anello della Val Trompia
The Anello della Val Trompia (or Val Trompia Ring) is a panoramic trail that follows the ridges bordering the valley – along a total distance of 130 km to be covered on foot or by mountain bike in 5 laps, in a charming wildlife setting with rather demanding stretches. Hikers can depart either from Marcheno or from Lodrino and walk through the Pezzeda, Portole and Sette Crocette passes to reach the San Zeno hill before going downhill towards Pontogna.

The water trail
On the slopes of mount Ario, the Irma municipality is characterised by an abundant water supply from underground aquifers and sources. Adults and children can take a walk along this thematic water trail with information panels, across natural spas, spruce forests and wetland, and reach a clearing that hosts the final interactive station, where this educational tour ends. The walk can continue on a hiking trail to safely reach the 50 m high Caldéra waterfall.

A bike ride with climbs and descents
Mount Maniva is a perfect destination for both walkers and cyclists. Placed at the intersection of many ring-shaped free riding trails, the climbs and descents of mount Maniva offer wonderful landscapes and a highly adventurous experience. Another interesting mountain-biking itinerary departs from mount Maniva, runs through the Baremone pass in the Anfo municipality, next through the Berga pass (where a very demanding descending stretch starts), and ends right after crossing the Berga river, at Ponte di Romanterra. For a unique adrenaline experience, you can opt for the trail that leads downhill towards Pezzeda, across woods and lawns. Here a chairlift facility, with a bike park access, takes bikers back to higher altitudes.
 

Highlights

1. History.
The Val Trompia has a long mining history that can be discovered by visiting ancient mines. The first and largest mine in the valley is in Sant’Aloisio di Collio and the second largest, the Marzoli mine in Pezzaze, can be visited on board of a miners’ train and includes a Miners and Blacksmiths Museum called “Il mondo dei minatori e l’arte del ferro”.

2. Art. Gardone Val Trompia hosts the monastic complex of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which has been declared a National Monument in 1947 and includes the Santa Maria degli Angeli Basilica.

3. Culture. Another museum worth visiting is the Museo delle Armi (Weapons Museum) in Gardone Valtrompia, where old weapons, armatures and firearms dating back to the 1500s are kept. The museum also has a large educational room with models and movie projections showing the history of weapon manufacturing.
 

4. Family sports. The cycle route on the banks of the river Mella is a perfect choice for all family members to go for an easy bike ride. The route runs alternately on the two banks of the river for visitors to discover the ancient Roman aqueduct, the Villa Glisenti park, the Calchere (lime kilns) and an old blacksmithery forge, “I Magli di Sarezzo”, now turned into a museum, and arrive at the entrance of Valle Vandeno.
 

5. Food and wine. We also recommend the Colli dei Longobardi wine tour to visit local wineries producing Botticino and Capriano del Colle, two local wines bearing the D.O.C. (controlled designation of origin) quality label. The itinerary starts from the Pusterla del Castello di Brescia vineyard, the largest “urban vineyard” in Europe.

-

Ph Ig: g.raffy

On the same topic

Sustainable tourism in lombardy

There is a way of sustainable travel capable of establishing a deep connection with the places that are visited.
  • Active & Green
Sustainable tourism in Lombardy

The high route of Valmalenco - presentation

The high route of Valmalenco is a trekking of 8 stage, around 110 km.
  • Active & Green
The high route of Valmalenco - presentation

The wine and tastes route

A fascinating route, that leads you to the discovery of the Nebbiolo delle Alpi
  • Active & Green
The wine and tastes route

Kitesurf in Lombardy

Where to do kitesurfing in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Windsurf, Como lake

Sesto Calende

Sesto Calende: between history and nature.
  • Active & Green
Sesto Calende: gateway at Lake Maggiore, along Ticino river

Val Trompia, where nature and ancient mines await visitors

Be ready for a great vacation in Val Trompia to discover natural treasures amidst huts and trails winding down the forest in Zone and reaching up to mounts Guglielmo and Maniva.
  • Active & Green
Brescia tra natura e antiche miniere: la Val Trompia

Cycling from Aprica to Val Belviso

  • Active & Green
Cycling from Aprica to Val Belviso

Snowshoe walking in Prato Valentino: Anello Verdomana

Silenzio ovattato, inebriante profumo di bosco, tracce di animali selvatici sulla neve e fantastici panorami. È quanto si può godere compiendo un'attività fisica alla portata di tutti e poco dispendiosa: le escursioni con le racchette da neve.
  • Active & Green
Snowshoe walking in Prato Valentino: Anello Verdomana

Lombardy: spring has come to town

Spring flowers bloom on the balconies, terraces, window sills and in the gardens of Lombardy's towns and villages 
  • Active & Green
Lombardia: la primavera arriva in città

Foliage in Lombardy

From Via Francigena to the Cadorna Line. Discover where to see the autumn colours in Lombardy
  • Active & Green
Via Francigena Corte Sant'Andrea Lodi

The project "Beega"

Cremona’s Bycicle Touring
  • Active & Green
The project

Iron bridges, man-made constructions

Iron bridges, bold testimonies to the early 20th century
  • Active & Green
Ponti di ferro, opere dell’uomo - in Lombardia

Action sports in Lombardy

From Lake Garda to Val Brembana, 5 action sports destinations offering a hefty dose of adrenaline
  • Active & Green
Action sports in Lombardy

The High Route of Valmalenco – 1st stage

Torre Santa Maria (frazione Ciappanico) - Alpe Piasci - Rif. Cometti (1720 m) - Arcoglio sup (2123 m) - Cima Bianca (2490 m) - Rif. Bosio (2086 m)
  • Active & Green
The High Route of Valmalenco – 1st stage

Aereoclub in Sondrio

Hover in the sky like butterflies, letting yourself be carried away by the high currents like seagulls in search of freedom
  • Active & Green
Aereoclub in Sondrio

10 Good Reasons to Visit Sondrio

  • Active & Green
10 idee per visitare la Valtellina

On the wings of winter

In winter at the Parco del Mincio to spot flocks of migratory birds.
  • Active & Green
The Vallazza Natural Reserve

The most beautiful gorges!

The six most beautiful gorges to visit in Lombardy: those of Bellano and Nesso, the most famous, and the equally spectacular gorges of Caino, Cunardo, Val Taleggio and Via Mala
  • Active & Green
The most beautiful gorges in Lombardy - Bellano - discoveringbellano.eu

Valsassina and the Grigne

From one-day trips that anyone can enjoy, to climbing on the vertical walls of the Grigne, through to splendid hikes leading up to the mountain refuges
  • Active & Green
Valsassina and the Grigne

Spring in Lombardy

Spring has arrived ... all to discover the beauties of Lombardy!
  • Active & Green
Spring in Lombardy: where to go and what to do