• Mountains
    • Active & Green
    • Food & Wine
    • Art & Culture

Insider Valtelline and Valmalenco

Seven tips to discover the Valtelline and Valmalenco following the advice of someone who was born and lives there

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT

From the Fellaria glacier to the thermal baths of Bormio. Plus the pizzoccheri of Teglio and skiing in Valmalenco. While awaiting the 2026 Winter Olympics, come and discover our marvellous mountains, which make Valtelline and Valmalenco unique.

Our high altitude Insider is Simone Polattini. Aged thirty-four, self-employed, he is an Enac operator and works in the field of aerial filming with the use of drones. Thanks to his passion for the video and photographic field, he knows every mountain in “his” Valmalenco, where he was born and raised. With his drone he has gone over the whole Valtelline inch by inch, from the peaks to the villages and the splendid vineyards. Here are his suggestions. His favourite place? “The Fellaria glacier: a showpiece of nature”.

To discover other destinations outside the usual routes follow #INSIDERinLombardia on the social networks. With us, apart from Simone, there is a large team of “photo ambassadors” invited to tell you about cities, mountains, lakes, villages, first-hand experiences. 

PS: If you live in Lombardy, you love photography and also want to become an #INSIDERinLombardia, send us your application!

Here are Simone’s tips (on Instagram for those who are curious his Facebook page is Essepidrone - Simone Polattini

Bormio, a dive into the landscape
“Bormio, in the heart of the High Valtelline, is a paradise for relaxation! Terme Bagni Vecchi is a real showpiece. The panoramic pool carved into the rock offers a view over the entire basin. If you love skiing, don’t miss the legendary “Stelvio”, home in the past to the World Championship and World Cup downhill, one of the most beautiful pistes in the Alps. In 2026, it will host the men’s skiing events at the Winter Olympics.”
To Lake Palu with snowshoes
“One of the most fascinating destinations in Valmalenco. In winter I recommend reaching Lake Palu with snowshoes. If you start from the village of San Giuseppe it’s about 6 km, deep in the woods. At the arrival point there is a mountain hut which can also be reached by cable car from Chiesa in Valmalenco. From the hut, where you can stay overnight, there are numerous excursions possible. My favourite? The climb to Sasso Nero at 2,980 metres above sea level.”
Grosio, a mix of castles and rock carvings
“Two castles dominate the Valtelline: the Visconti Venosta (or New) castle and the San Faustino (or Old) castle. Both stand at Grosio, between Tirano and Bormio. Next to the New Castle, which dates to the second half of the fourteenth century, there is the Rock Engravings Park. Behind the village lies the entrance to Val Grosina, an ideal destination for walks and bike rides through woods and past alpine lakes.”
In Valmalenco, on the Thoeni
“Over 60km of slopes around the Alpe Palù. The Chiesa in Valmalenco cable car, with its 160-person cabins, is the largest in the world! And it is very fast: 1,000 metres gained in altitude in just 3 minutes and 40 seconds. The most beautiful piste? The Thoeni. It starts from Cima Motta (2,336 m) and descends 500 m to the base of the Dosso dei Vetti chairlift. In the last section of the wall, the slope reaches an angle of 70%!”
The Fellaria glacier, a spectacle of nature
“This is my second home: a natural spectacle requiring just two hours’ walk. From the dam of Alpe Gera, in Valmalenco, you arrive at the Bignami hut and from there take the Luigi Marson glaciological path. The route from June to October is within everyone’s reach, but in winter I recommend it only to experienced mountaineers. Lucky hikers might come across some ibex!”
Teglio, the home of pizzoccheri
“Here is the recipe for happiness: buckwheat flour and white flour for the dough, plus potatoes, cabbage, butter, casera cheese, parmesan, garlic and pepper. Teglio, halfway along the Valtelline, is the home of pizzoccheri. Fields of buckwheat surround the village, together with vineyards. The village’s symbol is the Torre de li Beli Miri: a splendid viewpoint.”
Livigno, waiting for 2026
“In 2026 Livigno will host the Olympic Village in the Aquagranda district. But also the snowboard and Freestyle races, thanks to its more than 100 square kilometres of ski area and the largest snow park in Italy. At the Mottolino there is also a Jibbing Area, where you can spin with your board. And from this year for cross-country lovers, snow is assured until late in the season thanks to the ‘snowfarming’ method.”

On the same topic

Show all

Fishing in Sondrio and Valmalenco

4 fishing areas, on the valley floor on the river Adda, on the Mallero creek, or on the alpine lakes of Campagneda.
  • Mountains

Chiesa valmalenco

Church Valmalenco or as they call the Valtellina: the Sèsa, is a leading ski resort in Lombardy.
(Ph: in-lombardia -Dam)
  • Mountains

Starry skies between lakes and mountains

Away from the city, hunting for shooting stars amid clear skies, unspoilt nature and scenic views.
(Ph: IMille)
  • Mountains

Valpredina

Visit the WWF nature reserve of Valpredina.
Valpredina
  • Mountains

11 gourmet mountain huts

There are plenty more taste gourmet mountain huts in Lombardy. Here are just 11 where you can take a gourmet break at over 2,000 metres!
11 gourmet mountain huts
  • Mountains

Snowshoe trekking

A winter trek with snowshoes on one's feet is a very pleasant experience for everyone, adults and children
Ciaspolate in Lombardia
  • Mountains

Skiing near Lecco

Skiing close to Milan and the main cities in Lombardy in an unspoilt environment
Piani di Bobbio (LC)
  • Mountains

Valtellina for Every Season

To begin: a lot of sports, genuine food, romantic walks, cultural trips and relax
The thousand faces of Valtellina for every season
  • Mountains

Skiing in Ponte di Legno - Passo Del Tonale

Ponte di Legno - @inLombardia
  • Mountains

Valtellina Photo Gallery

Be amazed by the Valtellina looking at the most beautiful images of this beautiful area.
Valtellina from A to Z
  • Mountains

Weekends in Valtellina

Madesimo, Chiavenna and Morbegno. A weekend in Valtellina
Weekend in Valtellina
  • Mountains

Summer is more beautiful in the Bergamasque Valleys

Val Brembana, Valseriana, Val di Scalve and Valle Imagna: a family-friendly holiday in the valleys of the Bergamasque Alps 
Cascate del Serio (BG)
  • Mountains

Val di Togno

  • Mountains

Six surprising festive experiences

Rediscover Christmas with a brand new look at the towns and villages of Lombardy. Enchanted atmospheres and the magic of ice.
Ph I Mille
  • Mountains

Skiing in Piani di Bobbio

The Piani di Bobbio, in Valsassina, are marvellous during the summer season, and become enchanting during the winter
A tutto sci ai Piani di Bobbio
  • Mountains

Stelvio Pass

The summer paradise for skiers.
Stelvio Pass
  • Mountains

Skiing with children in Ponte di Legno - Passo Del Tonale

Sci con i bambini a Ponte di Legno - Passo del Tonale
  • Mountains

The Plain of Chiavenna

Thanks to its shape, it allows the cyclists to take an interesting ring itinerary.
Tour: The Plain of Chiavenna
  • Mountains

Vittorio Sella glacier trail

A trail dedicated to Vittorio Sella, the unsurpassed pioneer of mountain photography, who portrayed those mountains starting from the end of the 19th century
  • Mountains

Winter sports near Bergamo

Val Seriana, Val Brembana and Val di Scalve await you with their cross-country trails, snow parks, toboggan runs and skating rinks.
Sport sulla neve - Valli bergamasche
  • Mountains