The Valmalenco
The sound of the trams passing all over the cities, the hustle and bustle of the shopping plazas and streets, and crowd of people commuting to work are everyday views in Milan as the capital of business of Italy. We spend most of our time at work cramped with the meeting shcedule and spend overtime without realizing that our nerves get strained. Weekend always comes like a hero in the movie who always comes late when the world is on the verge of appocalypse.
Valmalenco would be a splendid choice to go for a weekend trip, to escape from the reality, and to relieve the stress. It is well-connected from Milan by public transportation in only 2-3 hours. The view is top notch as it is surrounded by the Italian Alps. The ambience is tranquil and sort of hidden where not many people are aware of it, even the Milanese, which are the reason it is my favorite spot to hike.
Tighten your shoes, get your hiking pole ready, and let’s set out.
Lanzada.
A small town just in the border with Switzerland, 150 km from Milan. Lanzada is located in the heart of Valmalenco Valley, in the intersection where can lead to all Valmalenco destination such as Lago Palu, Franscia, Campo Moro, and the eastern Valmalenco huts. You will just love this small town as it is a typical northern Italian town which lies on the hill with the view of other small villages surrounding it. This small yet humble town is the first stop where the journey starts.
How to get here by public transportation:
1. Milan - Sondrio: a regular train. There are two train options you can check, they are the national train company called Trenitalia, and the other one is Trenord which serves only for Lombardy province.
2. Sondrio - Lanzada: a regular bus. Take A37 Sondrio-Valmalenco. The transportation is run by a local service called STPS, Società Trasporti Pubblici Sondrio. The bus schedule can be checked on its website. Just a tip, the bus runs only few times in a day, so you need to plan your arrival carefully. Some of the buses corresponds with the train arrival in Sondrio. You can ask for help by emailing STPS or Valtellina tourism contact, and believe me you will get the answer promptly as they respond swiftly. Also ask them the most updated schedule as it changes time by time, and season by season. In summer there are more buses than in other seasons.
Rifugio Alpe Ponte
One of the most mountain hut (Rifugio in Italian) I have ever been. The hospitality, the food, the bed, the service are satisfying. The owner of the hut is a sweet old couple who used to live and work in Milan. They cannot speak English however they try to engage and make us as comfortable as they can. Just text or call them to get the quickest response. They reply late with the email.
Once you reach the hut, you will be stunned on how beautiful the view it offers from the hut, the view of Valmalenco Valley and all the towns underneath it. You can even hear the sound of the church bells coming out from Duomo di Lanzada and you will just feel serenity. From here you can also watch the sun sets between the mountain.
The hut itself sometimes organize parties or event where you can book the whole dining area and the outdoor area. The lady will serves all the food with her speciality of Northern Italian tipical dish, Pizzoccheri. The outdoor area itself, is fantastic, completed with a playground for children, perfect for families who just want to spend a day out there. I would rather enjoy Pizzoccheri there while enjoying the view and breathing the fresh air.
How to get here: hiking approximately 1 hour from Lanzada or ask for a lift by the Rifugio’s owner, as it is included in their service.
Cima Sassa.
This is where the magic happens, a magic that casts a spell to your eyes that make everything you see as the heaven’s garden. Nobody said anything of how great this plain is and so we had not expected anything really. It was after lunch when we set out from Rifugio Alpe Ponte. At that time we just wanted to walk and look around the hut, killing some time before the dark came. We didn’t want to go far as well as we just had too much for lunch. The path was ascending so we could not really see what was there behind the hills. Then we reached the peak of the hill where there were some abandoned huts, by then we just realized what is laid beyond it. The magic.
The orange trees are stretched as far as the eyes can see, on the other side of the mountain across where we stood, splitted up by a valley. That other side of mountain was really close I felt like jumping across to it. I literally lost my breath for seconds, halted there, struck by this stunning view. I even put my camera down just to embrace the moment and the view, remembering every little detail of it. There were noone else there and the plain was completely ours.
It was November, and I believe it was the perfect time to go here, just look at those mountains and color, it really took my breath away. That was the time I put down my camera and satisfy my eyes and soul with the view so that I won’t forget every detail of it.
To get here: 40 minutes hiking from Rifugio Alpe Ponte. One note, I believe November will be the perfect time to go here, just look at those mountains and color, it really took my breath away.
Cima Motta
The highest peak in the area. This peak is where you want to go. Why? This peak is raising right in the middle, circled by the other peaks, where you can get a 360° view of most of the peaks and mountains of Valmalenco. I recommend you to also spend a night or have a lunch in Rifugio Motta while enjoying the summer breeze and breathtaking view.
To get here: 2-3 hours hiking from Cima Sassa. The hiking path is clear and you will hardly get lost. The sign is everywhere along the way, marked on the trees and rocks you won't miss. The path is 80% surrounded by trees and forest. The rest is an open area. In a certain point, there will be a few metres quite narrow cliff path but it is provided with a ropes on the rocks you can hang on to, helping you to cross it.
Lago Palu.
Lago Palu is the gem of the area, where you will be amazed once you get there. The water is shallow and clear that all the mountains surrounding it are reflected by the lake water perfectly. The wind was still even though it was noon and so there were no ripples on the lake water.
The lake area is very tranquil. In November there are not so many people going there compare to some crowds in summer. For that reason, my friend had a chance to do yoga there while embracing the nature beauty of the lake. There is also a hut called Rifugio Alpe Palu where you can rest your feet for a while and feed your craving appetite.
How to get here: 40 minutes to an hour descending from Cima Motta. The path is wide and really easy, passing a small snow cable-car post. In autumn and winter the path would be icy and slippery. During summer and winter, the cable car runs from Lanzada where you can reach the lake easily. There is also another way walking from the west side of the valley, where the starting point is called San Giuseppe where there is another cable car which open on Summer and Winter only.
