Bergamo: Valle Seriana and the Presolana

Over a thousand kilometres of trails taking in pastures and crystal-clear Alpine lakes, for one-day hikes or stages over several days along the Sentiero delle Orobie, the path that runs close to the Presolana, the real queen of these mountains.

Valle Seriana is ideal for walking and for relaxing and cultural holidays. In addition, you can have adrenaline-packed experiences such as downhilling, cliff climbing or canyoning in a truly wonderful environment.

Hiking 
Valle Seriana offers lots of easy family-friendly excursions. These include a one-hour walk to the Baita Cassinelli, from where visitors can enjoy splendid views out over the Presolana massif and the valley below. Another route goes up to the Alpe Corte mountain refuge, surrounded by a beautiful pine wood topped by the dolomitic walls, where even children will have fun. From the refuge, you can pick up the Sentiero delle Farfalle, a butterfly trail with special panels giving local nature information. For lovers of more strenuous hikes, there is the 3-hour trail on Cima Grem from Colle di Zambla, a very scenic route that takes walkers along the ridge of the mountains, starting at Passo Zambla. Along the way, a turnoff leads to the Alpe Grem mountain refuge. Another long, but very enjoyable trail is Monte Visolo, lasting 4 hours and offering views of Valle Seriana, Presolana and Pizzo Corzene.

Via ferratas and climbing cliffs 
The via ferrata on Monte Alben, suitable only for the fit and experienced, rewards hikers with untamed scenery of pinnacles and rocky walls. Valle Seriana has plenty of options for climbers too, with the most popular cliffs being the Grottone di Onore, Lantana in Castione della Presolana, Valgua in Albino, Cornagera in Aviatico and Fontanei in Gandino.

Exciting cycling 
Spiazzi di Gromo has downhill trails to suit all. The Bike Park here offers adrenalinepacked routes with ascending levels of difficulty, suitable for both beginners and the more expert, and an equipment rental service allows first-timers to try a downhill experience. Whereas the Selvino Tour is a circular mountain bike trip of about 25 kilometres on different kinds of terrain. Another must-try is the Valle Seriana cycle path, 55 kilometres divided into two parts. The first is all on the flat and runs alongside the Serio River from Clusone to Albino. The second stretch is more challenging. Another bike trail to complete in three stages is the one that goes from Selvino to Valbondione via Clusone, Lovere, and Schilpario through to Valbondione in the heart of the Parco delle Orobie.

Pure adrenaline on the water and in the sky
Fiumenero is a village just a few kilometres from Valbondione with a wonderful narrow gorge perfect for canyoning. Abseiling, technical jumps (repeatable), scrambling and the thrill of a natural 20-metre toboggan dug out of the rock by the water make this water hiking an unforgettable, must-try experience. For those who, on the other hand, prefer flying, Monte Farno, Monte Arera, Monte Blum and Scanapà are excellent paragliding launch points. The paragliding schools in Gandino, Aviatico and Rovetta have flights for both beginners (two-seaters) and experts.

Highlights

1. Art. The path of shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary allows visitors to discover many religious buildings, including the Santuario della Madonna dello Zuccarello in Nembro, the Santuario della Beata Vergine del Miracolo in Albino, the Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie in Ardesio and the Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie in Cene.

2. History. Gromo is worth a visit, a place declared to be one of “The most beautiful villages in Italy”. Standing on a rocky promontory, surrounded by meadows and fir woods, it is known as the “little Toledo” for its iron and silver mines and for its cold steel factories.

3. Adventure. The adventure park in Pineta di Clusone is the ideal choice for a fun day out with all the family, immersed in vegetation. The park has 5 tree-top trails at 2 to 15 metres above the ground, along which visitors can leap into the air in total safety on the zip wires and walk along suspended bridges.

4. Off-road. Quad excursions are on offer at Monte Pora at the Pian Del Termen. The long trail, starting in Valle Seriana, goes through woods, along paths, mule tracks and fords, discovering the Bergamo valleys, touching the Parco delle Orobie, Presolana massif and the high Lake Iseo.

5. Nature. An exciting hike to the Serio waterfalls that must not be missed during the 5 spectacular annual openings between June and October. Valbondione is the starting point for a walk to the Rifugio Antonio Curò mountain refuge, which leads to the best point for observing this 300-metre high cascade of water.