Glaciers in Lombardy

Nine glaciers in Lombardy to discover through spectacular glaciological itineraries

From simple walks to the most challenging treks, here are our tips for discovering nine glaciers in Lombardy!

Lombardy is home to some of the highest massifs in the Alps east of the Gotthard, including the Cevedale (3,779 metres), the Adamello (3,539 metres) and Piz Bernina (4,049 metres). These mountains are home to the largest glacial masses of the Italian Alps, and constitute a unique environmental heritage to be defended and discovered with due preparation by following the glaciological paths.

This new and exciting challenge always requires adequate preparation or the presence of expert guides.

The promise? Wonderful views overlooking the forests and pastures below and on upwards to the rocks and glaciers, where there are only the sky and the clouds to keep you company.

Ventina Glacier — This is a small white pearl set between the massifs of Monte Disgrazia and Monte Cassandra. The glacier starts at an altitude of over 3,500 metres and then descends towards the Valle Ventina where it is possible to see the most beautiful peaks of the area. The Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo association has marked out the first route that leads to the glacier starting from Valmalenco. It is possible to reach it via a path suitable for all that begins at Chiareggio, 21km from Sondrio. The path reaches the snout of the glacier and descends on the opposite side; the circuit takes less than 2 hours.

Fellaria Glacier — The Fellaria glacier in Valmalenco is considered one of the largest in the Italian Central Alps. It is immersed in a natural setting of extraordinary beauty and lies at an altitude of over 3,500 metres in the frozen desert of the Altopiano di Fellaria, from where one can admire some of the most important peaks of the Bernina group. From the plateau, three tongues of ice descend in different directions: the Palù glacier, that descends towards Switzerland and the Val Poschiavo, visible also from the famous Little Red Train of Bernina, and the Fellaria glacier. The itinerary starts from the Bignami mountain hut and offers two variants: the first leads to a panoramic viewpoint that allows a general observation of the Fellaria Occidentale glacier, while the second leads to the flat area that lies opposite.

Forni Glacier — The Valle dei Forni begins a few kilometres from the centre of Santa Caterina Valfurva, and is framed by the glacier bearing the same name surrounded by the famous “thirteen peaks”. The Frodolfo torrent runs through the Valle dei Forni and has its source at the glacier; it provides the ideal starting point for numerous walks and high-altitude traverses. At the start of the valley, the Forni mountain hut is quickly arrived at, and can also be reached by car at certain times of the year. The itinerary considered the most spectacular and challenging starts from the refuge and involves crossing the glacier at an altitude of around 2,800 metres. The route takes six hours and enables you to observe a glacial environment of immense interest amid spectacular views.

Cedech Glacier — This itinerary is suitable for hikers of all levels. The possibility of admiring the rapid changes in the landscape constitutes an element of great scientific and didactic interest. Starting from the Forni mountain hut immersed in the heart of the Stelvio National Park at an altitude of about 2,300 metres, we walk on the track that leads to the Pizzini hut, located in a spectacular amphitheatre of peaks dominated by the pyramid of the Gran Zebrù. Along the way, it is possible to observe the formation of small lakes in front of the glaciers and their floating icebergs, the opening of “rocky windows” on their surfaces and ice caves. The area is renowned for the sighting of roe deer, chamois and deer.

Monte Disgrazia Glacier — Monte Disgrazia (3,678 mt.) Is one of the main peaks of the Valtelline and of the Rhaetian Alps, a noble and imposing mountain thanks to the isolated position of the summit and the glaciers surrounding it. The mountain marks the meeting point of the Val Masino and Valmalenco ridges. The best view of the spectacular north face of the mountain and of its glacier is to be had from the Del Grande - Camerini hut in Alta Valmalenco above Chiareggio. The hut can be reached by crossing the Pian del Lupo following the road that runs alongside the Mallero torrent and continuing up the slopes that lead to the top of Monte Vazzeda.

Preda Rossa Glacier — At an altitude of 2000 metres, the mountain environment dominated by Monte Disgrazia preserves the perennial snows of the Preda Rossa glacier. The flat area that distinguishes it is dominated by high peaks of grey and red rocks and is crossed by the Duino river. It is next to the river from the Piana di Preda Rossa that begins the path leading towards the head of the valley. At the end of the plateau, the path climbs steeply until it reaches an area of milder slopes. Continuing along this long path one arrives at the Ponti mountain hut, an ideal observation point for viewing the glacier. And by going beyond the hut and continuing along the path leading towards the summit of Monte Disgrazia, one draws close to the Preda Rossa glacier in a fascinating setting typical of the high mountains.

Glaciers of the Gavia Pass — With a high-altitude landscape populated by animals and plants adapted to a harsh climate, the Gavia valley presents one of the finest examples of glacial morphology. Descending towards the Lago Bianco from the Bonetta mountain hut at the Gavia Pass, one can turn off along a path that runs along the southern shore of the lake and comes to a fork that leads to the left towards the Sforzellina Glacier. Instead, remaining high on the opposite side of the glacier and heading towards the northern ridge of Punta della Sforzellina, one reaches the ridge near the Dosegù cirque. From this position, there is an excellent view of the Dosegù glacier.

Cima Piazzi Glacier — The Cima Piazzi (3,439 m) is the main peak of the group that takes its name and is located between the Valdidentro and Val Grosina. Its summit is covered by a magnificent perennial glacier and on one side overlooks Val Lia and Val Cardonè. Going up the slope of Cima Piazzi one comes to two bivouac huts, the Cantoni and the Ferrario, which are stages for long excursions and treks on the mountain from which to dive into magnificent areas of lakes and torrents, and from which to observe the glaciers that make up the ice cap of the Cima Piazzi.
Foto of Ig: lorenzme85

Adamello Glacier and Pian di Neve — Between Lombardy and Trentino there is one of the largest natural jewels in the Italian Alps: the Adamello glacier (maximum altitude of 3530m and minimum altitude of 2550m). To reach the glacier, take the exciting traverse of Pian di Neve in the province of Brescia until you reach Punta Venerecolo. Going down from the pass below the summit you enter the Val d’Avio and arrive at the Garibaldi hut below the north face of the Adamello. The same glacier can be reached from Ponte di Legno by going up the road that leads to the Tonale pass as far as Val Sozzine. After the valley the path leads to the Pisgana lake in whose waters the glacier is reflected.

Tonale Pass

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