• Active & Green
    • Mountains

A green week in Valtellina

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT

Wide-open spaces, the smell of forests, breath-taking views, natural food, refreshing waterfalls and stunning peaks.

We are in Valtellina, a lush green valley at the heart of the Lombardy Alps. Easily accessible from major cities, the valley spans 120 km, from Lake Como to Passo Aprica: a location so inviting and boasting such diverse beauty, it is perfect for laid back exploring, even during warmer periods. Ideal for unwinding and living the good life for a weekend getaway or a more drawn-out touring holiday.  

A trekking, wellness and skiing paradise (with the skiing regions of Livigno and Bormio), Valtellina gets more days of sunshine than Pantelleria, while a good half of the area is a natural park or nature reserve. Such figures would suffice to elevate it to the status of much better known and more visited mountain resorts, which it is on par with both in terms of its landscape and its hospitality. 

Revealed to be a key feature of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in an effort to ensure the region's infrastructure avoids having an overly negative environmental impact, this micro-region of Lombardy has also recently helped boost mountain eco-tourism development, breathing life into a genuine green Renaissance in the area.   

Things to see in Valtellina
If you want to find out about the must-see places for a green getaway in Valtellina, follow our itinerary. Adrenaline-filled adventures await with suspended bridges, lush green cycle and walking trails, fairy-tale trains through the heart of the Alps, and medieval towers against a backdrop of azure skies.

1. Cycling the Valtellina Trail
We’re starting with the Valtellina Trail, a 114-kilometre cycle and walking path starting at Lake Como, following the Adda river across the valley floor and ending in Bormio. A full-blown family-friendly greenway featuring moderate gradients and well-signed cycle routes in both directions, making it easy to navigate on two wheels.

Read more
2. Bernina Express
For the second leg of our Alpine tour, we’re climbing aboard the Bernina Express: a spectacular adventure to experience at least once in your life, whether for one day or for an entire weekend. Considered one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world, the Bernina Express was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2018: a scenic ride that guarantees all-round panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, even more captivating in summer with open-air carriages overlooking the dramatic landscape of the Alps.

Read more
3. Highest Tibetan Bridge in Europe
No trip to the Valtellina wilderness can be complete without experiencing the heart-pounding Ponte del Cielo, or Sky Bridge: a high-altitude Tibetan bridge 140 metres high that broke the European record for highest bridge in Europe (of those without stabilising side cables). This daring project launched in 2016 was the brainchild of a group of mountaineers. Modelled on previous Austrian and Swiss builds, it was carried out by the Consorzio Pustarèsc with substantial manual and economic efforts as well as the firm resolve that this huge undertaking would ensure the Valtellina alpine valley would not be left to fend for itself.

Read more
4. Fraele Towers
The Torri di Fraele, or Fraele Towers, share their name with the mountain pass in which they are found (also known as the Passo delle Scale, or the Stairway Passage). Standing 1,930 metres above sea level, they can be seen from the road that goes from Bormio to Livigno. Dating back to the end of the 14th century, these two four-sided towers were built in 1391 at the height of the Viscount epoch and would have been part of a much larger fortress, since destroyed. Their dual purpose was to defend the Bormio territory from attacks from the north and to exercise control extending from Livigno to the Val Viola.

Read more

On the same topic

Show all

Sporting Landmarks in Lombardy

A selection of iconic sporting venues to take us through the history of sport in the Region as we move towards the Milano Cortina games.
  • Active & Green

Up and down on a funicular: the panorama seen from the sky

Lombardy funiculars: the most romantic means of transport man has created
Up and down on a funicular: the panorama seen from the sky
  • Active & Green

Cliff Climbing in Sondrio and Valmalenco

Climbing aficionados will find many great spots in our area.
Arrampicare in Valmlenco
  • Active & Green

The trails of the Oltrepo' Pavese

On foot, by bike, or on horseback to discover the Oltrepò Pavese
Comunità Montana Oltrepò Pavese
  • Active & Green

12 blooms to see in Lombardy

With the arrival of spring, Lombardy is tinged with beautiful blooms. All to discover the most beautiful ones!
Blooms in Lombardy
  • Active & Green

Il caloggio

Visit the WWF Oasis Il Caloggio in the town of Bollate and you will be amazed by the rich and rare biodiversity present.
Il Caloggio
  • Active & Green

Alpe Meriggio, Alpe Campo Cervé and Casera Lake - Around Alpine Pastures

Albosaggia
  • Active & Green

Cycling from Col d'Anzana to Val Fontana

  • Active & Green

On foot in Lombardy

8 itineraries to discover Lombardy on foot. From Lake Maggiore to Val Camonica, and from Pavia to the heart of Val Masino.
On foot in Lombardy
  • Active & Green

The High Route of Valmalenco – 6th stage

Rif. Marinelli Bombardieri (2813 m) - Bocchetta di Caspoggio (2983 m) - A. Fellaria e Rif. Bignami (2382 m)
Passaggio dalla bocchetta di Caspoggio
  • Active & Green

Sesto Calende

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

9 places surrounded by nature

If you want to spend a day in contact with nature, we recommend these really special destinations.
Discovering Lombardy and its nature
  • Active & Green

Eight Ideas for a Creative Easter Monday

Easter Monday is a day to spend in company, focusing on discovering original springtime destinations in Lombardy.
Ph: I Mille
  • Active & Green

Boat trips on Lombardy's rivers

The waterways of Lombardy are perfect to discover the unspoilt green heart of the region
Boat trips on Lombardy's rivers - Navigli Milano
  • Active & Green

Ferrata del Torrione Porro

It is a moderate difficulty ferrata that develops in Valmalenco.
  • Active & Green

Between the Ticino and Po rivers

  • Active & Green

Trekking with Alpacas

Alpacas la Foppa: the first alpaca farm in Valmalenco.
  • Active & Green

The High Route of Valmalenco – 3rd stage

Alpe Ventina (1960 m) - Forbicina (1656 m) - Val Sissone - Rif. Del Grande (2600 m) - Chiareggio (1612 m)
Salita in Val Sissone
  • Active & Green

Picnics in Lombardy

8 easy picnic places in Lombardy: On the beaches of our lakes, in the cool of the woods, or in the company of dinosaurs!
panorama sondrio
  • Active & Green

Gema promenade - source of the Frascesca

Easy route and especially suitable for families with children
Source Frascesca
  • Active & Green