Gema promenade - source of the Frascesca

Difficulty: easy
Type: round trip
Walking time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Suitable for families with children

The trail winds through wide wooded and cool areas alternating with panoramic viewpoints over the valley, ending then at the waters of the Frascesca spring.
From the town of Teglio, follow the signs for Prato Valentino until you reach Gema Bassa. On the main hairpin bend, at a farm, a wide dirt road- the starting point of the route-grafts to the right, where it is possible to park.

From the wide pasture on the right there is an excellent view of the eastern part of Valtellina and, in particular, of the town of Tirano. Leaving the Gema meadows, one enters a mixed forest of chestnut, cherry and birch trees. Upstream, at the first pasture you come across, you can see the head of the Rio valley, behind which the Swiss border runs, and further to the right, you can see Mount Cancano overlooking a wide slope covered with spruce and larch forests.

After passing a wetland characterized by an alder forest, near two small stone buildings, the view opens to the Orobic slope and the Mortirolo Pass. Having reached the crossing of a small stream, continue straight ahead at the foot of green pastures, leaving the uphill dirt road to the left. This brings you to a green metal parapet, from which you can see Mount Cancano in all its majesty. From this point you enter, for a short distance, a wooded section accompanied by the gurgling of the Rio stream.

After a short while you reach the Frascesca spring. Walk a few more meters downhill and you can see a vein of limestone rock-which is distinguished by its whitish color-that in ancient times was worked in the nearby furnace.

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