2 days to discover the amazing ices of Valmalenco and visit to the old talc mine “La Bagnada”

In the early phases of the Cretaceous age, about 130 million years ago, the Tethys ocean began to disappear and the collision of two continents (Paleo-Europe and Paleo-Africa), in a continuous and still ongoing process, led to the formation of the Alps.  The current geological features of Valmalenco, thanks to the complex relationships between its most typical rocks (serpentinite and associated rocks), is a testimony to the "fossil" remains of the continental margin (Paleo-Africa) and the ocean (Western Tethys).  The first miners who inhabited Valmalenco during the Iron age did not know the origin of the widespread serpentinite, but they learned how to recognize iron and copper mineralizations and to extract metals through simple fusion processes. The first miners during the Middle ages - and probably even during the Roman age - learned how to extract and work soapstone to make pots and slabs for roof coverings.  The complex geological history of Valmalenco and the wide range of surfacing rocks corresponds to a rich and expectional presence of minerals of great economical, scientific and collectible interest: demantoid, quartz, perovskite, artinite, brugnatellite are only some of the most famous minerals.  Several studies, mineralogists and aficionados helped, also with the discovery of new minerals, making Valmalenco famous in this field. Besides countless scientific studies and publications, there are important collections dedicated to the minerals of Valmalenco.Part of the huge mineralogic collection belonging to the famous Milanese academic Pietro Sigismund (1874-1962), is now in the Museo Storico, Etnografico e Naturalistico della Valmalenco (Historical, ethnographic and naturalistic museum of Valmalenco). Here it is possible to admire, in a collection of great historical value, 180 rocks found by the researcher in Valmalenco.  At the Centro servizi in Chiesa in Valmalenco has been set up the exhibition "Geology and mineral resources of Valmalenco".  Professor Fulvio Grazioli (1913-1991) - famous for his talent as a mineral researcher and the great effort dedicated to this passion - managed to put together the richiest and most complete collections of minerals of Valmalenco (almost 12.000 samples that he found during his researches in the Province of Sondrio. The most relevant minerals of Grazioli's collection are exposed at the Martinengo Palace in Sondrio. 

When the colours of the landscapes in the area of Sondrio-Valmalenco turns to the shades of red to gold, in the valleys and on the terraced slopes you'll have the chance to observe grape harvesting, apple harvesting or chestnut picking. In the fresh and clear fall days you can admire breath-taking mountain landscapes or take a ride along the vineyards and taste the traditional dishes in one of the local restaurants. The alpine pastures, the paths in Valmalenco and in the surroundings of Sondrio invite visitors to go hiking in a suggestive fall atmosphere. In this season, the area of Sondrio and Valmalenco offers high quality emotions, to be experienced in freedom.

Discover Valmalenco by bike in every season!

Dream Valmalenco: glamping, romanticism and uniqueness.

2 days discovering the valleys once crossed by smugglers

Snowshoeing in the fairy-tale landscapes of Valmalenco

Valmalenco is embraced by majestic peaks, such as Mount Disgrazia, Piz Bernina, Piz Scalino

Quando il paesaggio Sondrio-Valmalenco assume le tonalità del rosso e del giallo dorato, nelle valli e sui pendii terrazzati potrete osservare i contadini impegnati nella vendemmia o nella raccolta delle mele e delle castagne. Nell’aria fresca e tersa d’autunno potete ammirare i panorami mozzafiato delle montagne oppure pedalare lungo i vigneti e gustare le specialità valtellinesi offerte nei tanti locali tradizionali. Gli alpeggi, i sentieri della Valmalenco e di Sondrio e dintorni invitano a compiere magnifiche escursioni all'aria aperta in una suggestiva e calorosa atmosfera autunnale. Il territorio Sondrio-Valmalenco in questo periodo offre emozioni di qualità, da vivere in piena libertà. 

Valmalenco

Valmalenco

Snowshoeing in Valmalenco, the perfect start for newbies