Summer is more beautiful in the Bergamasque Valleys

Expect a summer packed with events, opportunities for fun activities and sports for you and the whole family in the beautiful nature of the valleys of the Province of Bergamo. Val Brembana, Val Seriana, Val di Scalve and Valle Imagna are ready to welcome you with lots of events for both young and old.

The valleys of the Western Orobian Alps and Pre-Alps are part of the Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche (a large protected nature area in Lombardy) and represent the region’s truly unique natural heritage.

Here you can admire the natural beauty of the Lombardy region, which is protected for its high biodiversity of animal and plant species, some of which are extremely rare and unique to the park, such as the Cochlostoma canestrinii, a small land snail known as the 'Presolana snail', and the Linaria tonzigii Lona , the Bergamasco linaria, a bushy plant that only lives on Pizzo Arera and Presolana.

The park is also home to many different animal species, including: the black grouse, the symbol of the Park itself, as well as golden eagles, buzzards and kestrels; marmots, stoats and badgers, chamois, deer and ibex, and there have even been sightings of brown bears in the eastern part of the Park.

Family summer holidays in the Orobie Nature Park
The park's almost 70,000 hectares include part of the southern slope of the Orobie Mountains, with peaks reaching 3000 metres in height. Bergamo's valleys are traversed by the Brembo, Serio and Dezzo rivers, criss-crossed by streams and brooks, coloured by forests, meadows and alpine pastures, and dotted with hundreds of frosty alpine lakes nestled in the mountains, especially in the Val Seriana and Val Brembana.

Finding refreshment in the waters of swimming lakes and streams, or while sunning on river beaches or on the rocks of streams and mountain pools in Lombardy is really not hard! In Val Vertova, in the middle of Val Seriana, the Vertova Trail, carved directly into the rocks, offers ideal spots for picnic breakfasts with the whole family and refreshing dips in its emerald pools.

In between heaven and earth in the Val Seriana roar waterfalls, ideal destinations to visit with children in tow: they will be fascinated by the 315m triple drop of the Cascate del Serio waterfall, the highest in Italy. This year there are five openings: 19/06, 21/08, 11/09, 9/10 (11:00 to 11:30); 16/07 night opening (22:00-22:30).

Even the earth hides secrets yet to be discovered in its mysterious recesses, such as the Grotte del Sogno in San Pellegrino Terme, right in the centre of the Val Brembana. Educational workshops and museum tours await you in the mining complex of Schilpario (BG), in Val di Scalve, where a charming little train runs along 2.5 km of the original mining railway of the Gaffione mine.

There are also nature trails and cycle paths, tree trails, forest and mountain walks suitable for all hikers, including children, to easily reach fully-equipped refuges and spend a day with the whole family, with play areas and activities to help them discover the forest’s plants and animals...

Dossena (BG): a day between heaven and earth — Reopened in June, the Ponte nel Sole Tibetan bridge in Dossena in the Brembana Valley is a truly spectacular destination for the whole family (children from 12 years old/140cm). On the world's longest Tibetan bridge without side supports and with discontinuous treads, you will experience the thrill of walking half a kilometre (1200 steps) suspended 120 metres above the ground as you admire the breathtaking panorama of the Orobic Pre-Alps. And after your thrilling walk over the Ponte nel Sole, you can visit the caving park, the mines and the archaeological museum (with guided tours also suitable for children).

Mezzoldo (BG): up to the San Marco Pass with the Alpine Guides — From July to September, hikes with the Alpine Guides and the Lombardy Mountain Guides are free and open to everyone, including families with children. The destination? The mountains of Lombardy’s regional and national parks. There are seven events in the province of Bergamo, starting on 3 July at the Balicco refuge in the San Marco Pass in Val Brembana, followed by Val Taleggio, at Lago del Diavolo, at Capanna Cassinelli. (ph: rifugiomarcobalicco.it)

San Pellegrino Terme (BG): al fresco in the caves — Children and youngsters will love the Grotte del Sogno at Vetta, just above San Pellegrino Terme (BG). It takes 40 minutes if you follow the mule track that starts behind the Casino, followed by a path protected by a fence that will lead you to the entrance of the caves. Illuminated stairs and walkways will facilitate this exciting visit, which is safe and suitable for all. A guide will take you on a 30-minute tour into the evocative depths of the earth, revealing its secrets to you. (ph: orobietourism.com)

Orobie Occidentali: six refuges for younger visitors — We all know it’s not easy to persuade children to walk long distances, even if they are immersed in the beauty of nature. To help motivate them, here are some easy itineraries to reach six child-friendly mountain refuges in Val Seriana and Val di Scalve which on arrival will promise adults a bit of peace and relaxation and children the chance to discover the secrets of plants, flowers and animals (in the wild or in protected enclosures), let off steam in fully-equipped parks, experience their first ride in a cable car and much more... (ph: valseriana.eu)

Rovetta (BG): a cycling trip with the whole family — The two-day event in Rovetta (BG) at the end of July (Saturday 30 and Sunday 31) dedicated to the world of assisted pedalling is aimed at the whole family on the occasion of the Presolana Race, an MTB race along the Cavalcata trails. The Presolana Race e-bike offers two routes, a 50km route for sportsmen and women and a 17km family-friendly route, allowing you to discover the places where the famous local red corn is produced and the historical villages of Onore, Rovetta and Songavazzo. There are also tech stands, food and wine specialities and a bike park for little ones.(ph: valseriana.eu)

Donico (BG): daring bobsleigh descents — In Donico, 2 km from Castione della Presolana (BG), you’ll find the perfect source of fun for children of all ages. In the large open-air playground, the summer bobsleigh track awaits the most daring among you for downhill runs at full speed. Also suitable for small children (accompanied by an adult), it is easily reached via a conveyor belt and then, protected by a helmet, you can begin your descent! Many other more or less adrenaline-pumping activities also await: from the human bungee slingshot (il Volo d’Angelo) to the rubber dinghy track, trampolines, archery and more...(ph: visitpresolana.it)

Corna Imagna (BG): all of nature’s secrets — Beekeeping, chestnut cultivationg, dry stone wall building (an intangible UNESCO World Heritage activity): these are the Footsteps of nature experience routes, inspired by the rural traditions of the Imagna Valley. Aimed at groups with children up to the age of 12, they will run until October in Corna Imagna (BG), at the location of Cooperativa Giovani Orme: visit the educational chestnut grove and the Seed House where you can see stone constructions and try your hand at building a dry stone wall. (ph: turismovalleimagna.it)

Summer 2022 in the Bergamo valleys: must-attend events
Let's start with earth-shattering news that will please everyone: the Tibetan bridge at Dossena has finally reopened. It is the longest in the world without side tie rods and is accessible to children ages 12 and older who love adventure.

For kids there is no shortage of opportunities: the summer season for adventure parks in the Province of Bergamo is now open, and what awaits them includes liana routes through the trees, zip lines and pulleys for acrobatic challenges suitable for all ages.

On Presolana it’s summer bobsleigh and e-bike time. Don't miss the Presolana Race, a mountain bike race in Rovetta on 30 and 31 July, which includes an e-bike rally, a 17 km route designed for families and a children's bike park.

You can also cycle together to reach the San Marco Pass in the Val Brembana, closed for cars for two days and open exclusively to two-wheelers (18 June and 17 September).

And if you want a safe holiday, why not download the Orobie Active app, with tried and tested trekking and cycling itineraries to help you discover the Orobie: routes for everyone, from experts to families with children.

Finally, if you have chosen to spend the summer in the mountain refuges of Lombardy, remember to enter the Refuges and Alpine Pastures 2022 competition. You can win tasty prizes, gadgets and even high-altitude overnight stays!