Hover in the sky like butterflies, letting yourself be carried away by the high currents like seagulls in search of freedom

Ponte in Valtellina

Sant'Antonio (1337 m) oppure la Motta (1480 m)

The Tower of Castionetto in Castionetto di Chiuro belonged to the Quadrio family and dates back to an age between Twelfth and Fifteent century. The tower was built in a dominant position and served the purpose of controlling the surrounding territories. The building is made of huge stone blocks, it has a quadrangular plant and its walls are so thick - more than 2.5 m at the base - that can contain a vaulted staircase linking the floors.The tower is not preserved in its full height and we do not know whether the second floor had a barrel vault just like the lower floors.The main portal is very well preserved and, for security reasons, it was located at a height of 3 m above ground. Two slits above the door and other details suggest that it featured a drawbridge.A door at ground level was made later in time and it led to a room probably used as a deposit, which was previously accessibile through a trapdoor. 

The town of Ponte in Valtellina has several picnic areas, suitable for anyone, from hikers to those who want to discover the hidden treasures of this old village:    via Panoramica: there two picnic areas: 46°10'42.4"N - 9°59'10.9"E e 46°10'41.8"N - 9°58'49.5"E the following picnic areas perfect for those who depart from the Valtellina trail and head for the town center:- via Stazione: 46°10'00.7"N - 9°58'33.3"E- Madonna di Campagna:  46°10'17.8"N 9°58'45.7"E San Bernardo: loc. Colonia, loc. Conca bassa, loc. Conca alta Carolo: 46°09'38.3"N - 9°58'08.4"E Briotti: 46°08'40.0"N - 9°58'34.1"E                                       

Piateda

Tresivio

Rhaetic Alps

Colico - Bormio

There is an area, West of Sondrio, where you can't do without noticing the sunlit terraced vineyards where the Valtellina Superiore Sassella DOCG is produced.  The first part of the tour crosses the typical terraced vineyards of the Rhaetic Alps, offering wonderful sights of the river Adda and the valley floor. In the second part of the tour, connecting Castione Andevenno to Sondrio, the route is almost entirely flat and crosses Parco Bartesaghi, that is Sondrio's most important green area.  Two places touched by the route are definitely worth a visit: SANTUARIO DELLA MADONNA DEL SASSELLA The Sanctuary was built Nestled on a rocky spur in the Fifteenth century and has become one of the symbols of this area, as it can easily be seen from the state road.    ROCK ENGRAVINGS LA GANDA, CASTIONEA recent discovery shed light on La Ganda (Castione Andevenno): a rock engraved about 3,000 years ago. There are a great number of engravings and most of them have antropomorphic features. 

The Cammino mariano delle Alpi pilgrimage route is an important religious, cultural and tourism-driven project in Valtellina. Tracing a route through the valley, the hiking itinerary incorporates several shrines to the Virgin Mary before reaching the Basilica of the Madonna di Tirano — the most significant sacred monument in the province and proclaimed the ‘celestial patroness of all of Valtellina’ by Pope Pius XII in 1946. There are two route options: the 91km Via Occidentale (western approach) from Piantedo to Tirano (accessible from spring 2022) and the 66km Via Orientale (eastern approach) from Bormio to Tirano, in the planning stage. The Via Occidentale is divided into five stages: Piantedo–Morbegno, Morbegno–Berbenno, Berbenno–Sondrio, Sondrio–Teglio and Teglio–Tirano. It makes use of the existing trail network and waymarked routes, including the Via dei Terrazzamenti which traverses the valley’s most authentic and charming areas, passing distinctive terraced vineyards and a wealth of historic, religious and civic buildings that transmit a fascinating insight.   Discover more and request the Credenziale del pellegrino on www.camminomarianodellealpi.it 

Sondrio