Here are selected ten off-the-beaten-path routes to take your friends and girlfriends to discover what Wow Effect really means!
Lombardy has a wealth of routes for all seasons and for every degree of fatigue, from the most trained runner to those who prefer calm and a walk. In this review you will be able to find two steps of difficulty, being able to choose an easy route, less demanding and suitable for everyone or a long route for a full day, but full of satisfaction.
Here you will not find described hikes in Val di Mello, for an in-depth guide click here. Or here for the Livigno area or here for Bormio
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1. Lake Maggiore
We begin this review with Verbano, which is divided between Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland, so we can hardly limit ourselves. In addition to the legendary Mottarone and the Parco dei Fiori we point out the nearby presence of the Valgrande Park, Italy's largest wilderness area.
We are not here to list all the men of letters and poets who have praised the serenity and romance around these shores. Instead, it is amusing to know that the world's first hydrofoil was designed here in the early 1900s: in fact, the first hydrofoil route was opened between Stresa and Locarno in 1953.
Easy route
Pizzoni di Laveno Ring. Loop route appreciable for the wide views despite the short route. Always keep an eye on the red-white CAI signs starting at the war memorial and follow the variant sign, then keep right for Casere. You will reach the asphalt road, follow the Vacuvian ring and the 3V.
Shortly afterwards take the trail back to the Barbè Pass and from there the Pizzoni traverse. From the highest point at 1018 meters shortly afterwards you reach the junction for Cultignone Pass; you can follow or decide to stretch to the Adamoli refuge. You then return to Vararo always following trail 3V.
Parking lot
Vararo hamlet of Cittiglio on the eastern shores of the lake.
Length
7 km (loop)
Elevation gain
500 mt
Long route
Mount Tamaro is one of the most scenic peaks on Lake Maggiore: it is located at almost 2000 mt. Although it is located in Switzerland, it is only about 100 km from Milan to the point from which we recommend starting. Reach Miglieglia and take the cable car up to Monte Lema (fall 2023 open from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. until Nov. 6). In any case, we recommend taking a look at the website to figure out possible returns by special buses. From Mt. Lema we climb northward up the unmistakable mountain ridge that, with a long and up-and-down route, takes us to Mt. Tamaro.
Parking lot
Miglieglia cable car Monte Lema
Length
18 km (round trip)
Elevation gain
900 mt
2. Valmalenco
Behind Sondrio lies the grand Valmalenco. Wide, long, with roads reaching up to 2,000 meters above sea level. The glaciers of Mount Disgrazia, the Fellaria, the Ventina and the Scerscen are a very important source of water for the valleys and plains. Treks in this valley make you breathe high mountain air. Sublime and fascinating nature. The summer season is definitely the most suitable for frequenting these valleys. Preferring the late season will enjoy the good weather, but with fewer people around.
Easy route
Destination Alpe dell'Oro, which stands as a balcony overlooking one of the two final branches of the Valmalenco. Here there are breathtaking views, north face of Disgrazia, Ventina glacier and all around. For the return instead of going back on the comfortable dirt road of the outward journey take the path downhill towards Alpe Vazzeda (upper or lower changes little) and then to the Tartaglione hut, a comfortable foothold very rich in local dishes. From the refuge then descend to Pian del Lupo and finally to Chiareggio.
Parking lot
Drive up the Valmalenco to Chiareggio. Before arriving at your destination, near Sabbionaccio, you will notice a no-transit sign. From here you have to pay a 5 euro ticket valid for transit (in 2023 from June 23 to September 30). From there to the parking lot is still long so we recommend the ticket. There are several parking lots in Chiareggio, depending on the day you will be able to find space further or less ahead on the road. Beware of private property.
Length
10 km (round trip)
Elevation gain
520 mt
Long route
Destination Marinelli refuge, on the other end branch of the Valmalenco. From the Campo Moro dam we follow CAI trail #2. First part in the woods to Alpe Musella, from here the ascent of seven bumps called the 7 sighs takes us to the Carate refuge, only a third of the way up. At the Bocchetta delle Forbici we reach two-thirds of the way up. After a long flat section we start climbing again to the last rocky spur where the Marinelli refuge is located. We descend following the ascent route.
Parking lot
Head up Valmalenco toward Lanzada and from here follow for Franscia and Campo Moro to the dam where you park.
Length
18 km (round trip)
Elevation gain
900 meters
3. Trompia Valley
Not only iron and industries, but also wonderful walks are hidden in this bright Brescian valley. Moreover, because of this historical vocation, it is very interesting to visit the ancient mines and, for example, the metal smelting furnace in Tavernole.
Easy route
The ascent to Punta Almana already represents a medium-level trek, not very long, but with a fair amount of elevation gain. After a more closed first part, the trail opens up to a magnificent ridge whose views sweep from Lake Iseo to Adamello. We recommend this trek for mid-season, when the sky is clearer and the sun gives a pleasant warmth. Follow the CAI 312 signs after the steep mule track and woods to the Croce di Pezzuolo, in the middle between Val Trompia and Sebino. From here, following the ridge (trail 3V to the right) start climbing again to the summit of Punta Almana at 1390 mt.
Parking lot
Gardone Valley. Continue along the road until it ends with a wide esplanade. The trail starts immediately after crossing the creek.
Length
9 km (round trip)
Elevation gain
900 mt
Long route
The Trompia Valley is not for everyone. For some this trek will leave satisfaction and fulfillment for the rest of the week, at least as much as leg ache. Follow the CAI 349 3V signs, which crosses the village, the stream and climbs first to malga Pezzeda Mattina and then up to Passo Pezzeda at 1600 mt. From here the landscape becomes meadowy and more open until you reach Prael Pass at 1710 mt, where you can choose between the longer but less technical 3V variant to the left or continue along the path that points to the summit in direttissima. You reach a plaque in memory of the partisans and then the summit of Corna Blacca at 2005 meters. Beware of the direct variant because it has some exposed passages.
Parking lot
The large parking lot in Collio from which the old Pezzeda lifts departed
Length
15 km (round trip)
Elevation gain
1100 mt
4. Tartano Valley
A side valley of Valtellina, in the western Orobie, bordering Val Brembana to the south. Known mostly by ski mountaineers, from whose peaks one can admire the most beautiful peaks of the Central Alps. Since 2016, locals have built the Bridge in the Sky, a Tibetan bridge 140 meters high, a European record.
Easy route
The Rovedatti bivouac (1850 mt) is ideal for a short, fun hike with many possible variables. After parking along the river continue until you meet hiking signs on the right that take you first to the Curt alpine pasture, then to Pustaresc and finally by the Arene path to the bivouac. The descent can be made either by the ascent route or by the bridges trail; with the latter option keep in mind that you will be climbing back to Biorca.
Parking lot
Go up Val Tartano to the village of the same name, then take to contrada Biorca to the end of the road where you will park.
Length
6 km
Height difference
550 mt
Long route
Objective Lemme summit (2348 mt), from the parking lot follow trail 112 to the Porcile lakes. We cross the river on a small concrete bridge, walk through the usual valley floor forest (this time of Larch trees) and reach the Porcile cheese factory until we reach the Tartano pass where there is a large cross. Here we are already on the ridge that takes us directly to the summit. On the descent near the pass we can see even better the trenches dating back to the Great War.
Parking lot
We go up Val Tartano to the village of the same name. From here you take the Vallunga to the locality Arale
Length
10 km (round trip)
Elevation gain
900 mt
5. Seriana Valley
One of the main valleys of Bergamo, the Seriana Valley stretches over 30 km. The valley's most famous mountain is Presolana, the queen of the Orobie.
Easy route
The Parafulmine refuge is located in the Gandino valley (1536 m) and has an ancient landscape with lots of pastures and an opening to the immense plain. Climb up here and you will breathe again. From the parking lot, follow CAI trail 549 that climbs to the Baroncelli bivouac and continues to Mt. Guazza. You will meet the junction with the dirt road coming from Mount Farno; follow it in a short time to reach the refuge. We recommend coming here in winter with snowshoes to get away from it all and enjoy nature.
Parking lot
From Gandino towards Monte Farno. Near locality Groaro, there is a parking lot on a hairpin bend. Or continue on the road and drive up to the Monte Farno parking lot to reduce the elevation gain. For the latter case, a ticket is required and can be purchased in Gandino.
Length
7 km (round trip)
Elevation gain
650 m (from Groaro)
Long route
Cima Grem (2049 mt) is located between the Seriana and Brembana valleys, especially popular in winter because it has a very gentle slope. Ideal for a first approach to winter hiking. Take the dirt road in front of Bar Ristorante Trapper and then CAI trail marker 223 continuing on dirt road then in the woods to Baita di Mezzo. From here over meadows and remnants of mines to the Baita Alta. Finally by ridge or continuing on trail 223 to the summit. You descend by the ascent route.
Parking lot
Zambla Pass
Length
12 km (round trip)
Elevation gain
800 mt
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