• 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

Adrenaline 9 thrilling experiences in Lombardy

  • Active & Green

The 10 most spectacular monumental trees in the province of Brescia

In Lombardy's largest province, very special tree monuments grow in very different environments.
  • Active & Green

On the wings of winter

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

Fly Fishing in Lombardy

Fly Fishing in Lombardy
  • Active & Green

Ten Snowshoeing Treks in Lombardy

Choose a route through the woods or try out a panoramic trail on your snowshoeing trek!
Ten Snowshoeing Treks in Lombardy
  • Active & Green

Tibetan bridges, the attraction of height without the risk

Four suspension bridges in Lombardy
Ponti tibetani, il fascino dell’altezza senza rischi
  • Active & Green

Gardens in Lombardy

The botanical gardens of Lombardy are real jewels to visit, so come on, what are you waiting for?
Gardens in Lombardy, discover what to see
  • Active & Green

A summer at the summit

Backpack and discover the best treks and outdoor activities #inLombardia
Trekking in Lombardy
  • Active & Green

Guide Valmalenco

In the Valmalenco Guides group you can find professionals who can accompany you on your adventures whether you are an expert, or simply dream of taking your first step.
  • Active & Green

Cycling through the land of good living

From Pavia to Lomellina and the hills of Oltrepò: some of the most scenic cycling routes.
In bici sulla Greenway Voghera Varzi
  • Active & Green

Suzzara forest

An urban forest in the Municipality of Suzzara, created to recreate an environment typical of the Po Valley of the past.
Suzzara Forest
  • Active & Green

Sports for all tastes in Valle Camonica

There is a summer Camonica Valley and a winter Camonica Valley. A white valley dedicated to winter sports, but also green with meadows and forests
Camonica Valley - Tonale
  • Active & Green

The 10 best panoramic viewpoints in Oltrepò Pavese for incredible photos

  • Active & Green

Le bine

You want to see the Lataste frog, one of the rarest amphibians in Europe, then come to the Le Bine nature reserve.
Le Bine
  • 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

Valtellina Nascosta: third installment

Continuing our journey to discover the Hidden Valtellina, we present five more must-see destinations.
  • Active & Green

Parco dello Stelvio, Bormio and Valdidentro

Walks and strenuous hikes in the heart of the Stelvio National Park surrounded by unspoilt nature and in close contact with mountain fauna
Il parco dello Stelvio, Bormio e la Valdidentro
  • Active & Green

Shades of fall - excursions to discover the foliage

  • Active & Green

E-bikes in Lombardy

The bicycle is definitely the ideal way to discover an area, thanks to the e-bike, cycling tourism is just within everyone's reach!
Po park bicycle path
  • Active & Green

Gera d'Adda: legends flowing between Adda and Milan

Between the Adda and Martesana rivers, places tell the story of Lombardy's history and industriousness
Gera d'Adda: legends flowing between Adda and Milan
  • Active & Green