the hikes
At 1.317m the Rifugio lies at a crosspoint of multiple trails. Whether you’re in the mood for a short or a long hike, through forests or across alpine meadows, to mountain peaks or wild waterfalls, steep or steeper hikes, be gone for a whole day or just a quick wander to the river. The abundance of hikes provides to all.
Below we have listed some of the hikes, but there are dozens of other possibilities.
Alpe painale
2.182m
Total time: 6 hours
Altitude meters: 800m
Alpe Painale is the treasure of our valley. It’s the ultimate alpine meadow, where you’re surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and during summer, grazing cows. While walking there you cross other alpine meadows, and although the hike is long and high, it offers a great variety between flat and steep sections.
The first alpine meadow you come across after an hour climb, is Alpe Rogneda at 1600m. Be sure to spot some marmots and a chamois or two. Enjoy the more or less flat walk of 30min through the alpine meadow before you begin your second climb.
Now you’ll reach the second alpine meadow, Alpe Guat. The ‘big’ building is where they used to store the cheese of the cows that summered in Alpe Painale. Having reached Alpe Guat, you’re ready to start your last climb to Alpe Painale. Steep, but sweet and short.
You’ll realise you’ve reached Alpe Painale when you see the beauty. But don’t stop there, be sure to walk the extra half hour to Rifugio di Dosso, which offers the perfect spot for a lunch. And maybe if you’re lucky the shepherd is home, be sure to take him up on his offer for some coffee. Now you can probably see the beautiful Lago Painale. No, it’s not you who can’t find a path there, there isn’t really one, so be prepared to climb over some rocks.
From there, you can cross over Passo degli Ometti towards Rifugio Cristina.
Carnale
1.250m
Total time: 3 hours
Altitude meters: 100m
The walk to Carnale is nice and pleasant. It’s quite flat, and on a hot summer day perfectly cool between the pine trees. Once you reach Carnale, you have a gorgeous panoramic view of the Valtellina. Try to spot our Rifugio through the trees! One of the first buildings you come across in Carnale, is a farm. They let their cows graze in Carnale during the summer, so go and get the freshest yoghurt, panna cotta or crema caramela! If you don’t feel like buying but more like foraging, then keep your eyes peeled for mushrooms along the walk.
If you don’t feel satisfied enough from the hike, you can walk up the hill to the croce. It’s only half an hour extra, but it’s a full half hour of climbing uphill. Once you get to the croce there’s a great lookout point and picnic spot.
Portola
1.077m
Total time: 3 hours
Altitude meters: 300m
Don’t be misled by the smooth walk from the Rifugio to Portola. The way back is quite steep and intense in some parts. But again, it’s a beautiful walk through the forest with amazing views. Once you arrive in Portola, you can enjoy the great 360° view from Valtellina and Valmalenco. If you’re not yet satisfied, you can make the hike longer by visiting one (or all) of the villages nearby. There’s also an option to make a loop, we’re happy to explain it to you once here.
Mialli (867m)
If you walk down a bit further, about 150m lower, you arrive in Mialli. Although it doesn’t look like it, some people live here in summer. It’s a nice village to admire old and abandoned houses. From there you can take the road back to the Rifugio, about 1,5hr.
Piazzo (1029m)
Piazzo is a ghost town. It used to be bustling, but in the sixties it was evacuated due to avalanche danger. They must have left in a hurry, as you can find shoes, rain coats, booze and a lot more. A cool spot to spend some time and explore the abandoned houses.
Spriana (754m)
From Piazzo you can continue to Spriana. With 80 inhabitants (including us, since the Rifugio is part of their comune) it’s the smallest town in Italy to have it’s very own post office. Apart from that accomplishment, it has a pretty church and traditional restaurant.
Monte Foppa
2.444m
Total time: 7 hours
Altitude meters: 1000m
If you ever feel the need to conquer a mountain, this is the one. On the way there you pass a few meadows, with abandoned houses and stunning views. As can be assumed, it’s a tiring and steep hike, but the feeling of standing on the top of a mountain can't be beat for obvious reasons.
You can walk back the way you came, or walk towards Monte Palino, and on the lowest pass descend to Alpe Rogneda (or vice versa). The path is unclear or doesn’t really exist, so we would only recommend this to the more experienced. If you go this way, you must calculate to be gone for about 7 hours.
Alpe grum
1.822m
Total time: 3 hours
Total altitude: 500m
Supposedly there are “ancient rock paintings” to be found in Alpe Grum. But we haven’t found any, and we don’t think we’re the only ones, since on a sign is carved “ma dov’é??”. It is a nice spot with ruins and a great view. The path is also hard to find during summer, so be sure to bring a map or app.
To get to Alpe Grum, you pass Prato (or also known as Alpe Costa at 1672m) where you have gorgeous panoramic views. On your way there, don’t forget to keep a look out for mushrooms, the pine forest is the hot spot for Porcini! Prato is also a stop on the way to Monte Foppa.
Keep in mind that this path is unkept and a search to find. We only recommend the confident hikers to undertake it.
This is a fraction of the hikes. There’s different loops, combinations and more to do. We’ll happily go over them once you’re here.