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Explore awe-inspiring natural features like the Forni Glacier, the settings of First World battles, Alpine passes made famous by legendary cyclists and the incredible natural beauty of these valleys and the Stelvio National Park.
Journey through space and time
Gavia Pass
If you're here when the Alpine passes are open from May to October, head up the Gavia and try and imagine what it was like for the cyclists competing in the Giro d'Italia in June 1988 in the middle of a blizzard.
On a clear day you can breathe in the crisp air and enjoy spectacular views over Valtellina and Valcamonica from an altitude of 2,652 m in the heart of the Stelvio National Park. There are plenty of adventures to set your pulse racing, be it pedalling up to the Gavia Pass, ski touring up to Punta San Matteo followed by an incredible descent, or scaling the Corno dei Tre Signori.
The Cancano lakes
The Cancano area is home to huge hydroelectric dams, an incredible feat of engineering that nonetheless blends seamlessly into the beautiful scenery of the Stelvio National Park.
Built between the 1920s and 50s, these reservoirs contain up to 180 million cubic metres of water, or 620 gigawatt-hours of stored energy. Watching over them are two 14th century towers, the Torri di Fraele, perched on a sheer cliff overlooking the Bormio valley, which were once a checkpoint on the salt and wine road. Cycle or walk on the gravel road around the lakes, or for more of a challenge hike up to one of the peaks, go mountain biking on the trails, or pedal up the road from Bormio to Cancano.
The Stelvio National Park
Explore one of the most beautiful protected areas in the Alps, the Stelvio National Park.
The park stretches over 130,700 hectares between the Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige regions. With a height difference of almost 2,000 m, it's also teeming with biodiversity. When you set off on an adventure in the Stelvio National Park, you may encounter all kinds of wildlife, including deer, ibex, chamois, squirrels, stoats, marmots, bearded vultures and golden eagles (to name but a few). Breathe in the scent of the pines and admire the vivid colours of the rhododendrons in full bloom. There are many ways to explore the park; from First World War hiking trails to mountain biking around the lakes at Cancano, scaling Gran Zebrù or ski touring in the spring in Valle dei Forni.
Val Viola
Around 20 km from Bormio, in Valdidentro, lies Val Viola, a protected area and Site of Community Importance (SCI) just waiting to be explored.
Picture a wide, sunny Alpine valley carpeted with wildflowers, pine forests and rhododendrons against a backdrop of jagged peaks and perennial glaciers. A river running through the middle leads to a waterfall in a canyon where you can stop off along the trail. Further up you can see the mountains reflected in serene Alpine lakes. Bring your binoculars so you can spot deer, chamois, eagles, bearded vultures and marmots. Then head to a mountain refuge and tuck into a local speciality like polenta taragna or pizzoccheri.
Val Zebrù
An unspoiled wilderness, Val Zebrù never fails to enchant visitors. Carved out of the landscape by the Zebrù glacier stream, this wild valley has remained largely untouched by human activity.
Part of the Stelvio National Park, here you can find animals like deer, ibex, chamois, bearded vultures and golden eagles. To get there, head towards San Nicolo in Valfurva and set off from Niblogo. From there an old 12 km military trail leads through the valley to Baita del Pastore. Along the way you can stop off at the Campo Refuge, located in a scenic, family-friendly setting. From there the trail up to the Quinto Alpini Refuge begins, where the scenery changes from forest to rock and ice. If you're a keen alpinist, climber or mountain biker, Val Zebrù has so many adventures in store for you, including challenging ascents like Gran Zebrù.
Val di Rezzalo
Explore Val di Rezzalo, a little corner of paradise in the Stelvio National Park, easily reached from Sondalo. The valley is a patchwork of forest and pastures as far as the eye can see, dotted with traditional baite (mountain cabins) built from stone and wood, and teeming with flora and fauna.
Listen to the soothing sound of the Rezzalesco stream and enjoy a lunch of Valtellinese specialities at the La Baita Refuge, along with the picture-perfect scenery. Starting from nearby Fumero there are a number of activities available in Val di Rezzalo, including hiking and mountain biking in summer, or ski touring, snowshoeing or sledging in winter. Take the forest trail until you reach the mountain refuge and Church of San Bernardo. From here you can continue to Passo dell'Alpe and enjoy views over Valfurva and the Gavia Pass.
The Forni Glacier
The largest valley glacier in Italy. Don’t miss Valfurva’s magnificent Forni Glacier, nestled in the heart of the Stelvio National Park.
Part of the Ortler Alps, the glacier is 11 km2, its head crowned by 13 peaks over 3,500 m. You can see the Forni up close on the glacier trails that lead to the terminus. Alternatively, get even closer and go ski touring or mountaineering with an Alpine Guide. And if you'd rather admire it from afar, you can do so from the Stella Alpina, Forni, Branca or Pizzini refuges after a short hike. Whichever option you go for, it’s bound to leave a lasting impression.
The Stelvio Glacier
Anytime we mention the Stelvio Glacier to a skier, their eyes light up at the thought of being able to ski over the summer.
Reached via the twists and turns of the legendary Stelvio road up to the pass at 2,758 m, the glacier is the starting point for a wide range of mountain adventures. Avid hikers can explore the many trails around the Stelvio National Park, where you can discover the local flora and fauna, or the remains of World War One battlegrounds. And when the pass opens in the spring, there are plenty of ski touring routes with panoramic ascents and thrilling descents.
Bormio 3000
Skiing, mountain biking (downhill and otherwise) or hiking; whatever your activity of choice, Bormio 3000 is a fantastic starting point for your adventures.
Grab your gear and head up on the gondola to Bormio 2000, then hop on the cable car to Bormio 3000. In around 20 minutes you'll be at the top of a mountain. From here you can set off on your skis in the winter, or your mountain bike in the summer, or hit the hiking trails, like the one to i Bei Laghetti (the beautiful lakes). Alternatively enjoy the views from the Heaven restaurant as you tuck into a plate of pizzoccheri. Summer or winter, Bormio 3000 has so much to offer.
Paluaccio Nature Reserve, Oga
Come and explore the Paluaccio Nature Reserve in Oga, Valdisotto in the Stelvio National Park. A 13,000-year-old peat bog covering 30 hectares at an altitude of 1,710 m in the heart of the Alps.
One of the few Alpine wetland areas of outstanding natural interest in Europe, the bog formed in the last ice age, when the melting ice caused the water to collect and peat to build up. An accessible wooden walkway lets you explore this incredible ecosystem and see the diversity of plant life, including carnivorous plants like Drosera rotundifolia (aka roundleaf sundew). The Oga military fort is located nearby (though temporarily closed).
Ortler Alps
Discover the majestic Ortler Alps near Bormio and scale some of the most impressive peaks in the Rhaetian Alps. The highest, the Ortler, reaches a height of 3,905 m above sea level.
The group is part of the Stelvio National Park, part of which is located in Valtellina, part in the provinces of Trento and Bolzano. The group’s perennial glaciers, among them the Forni Glacier, feed large Italian rivers, like the Adda, a tributary of the River Po (the longest in Italy). This mountain group is a haven of biodiversity and a great destination for some high-altitude adventures. Obviously, these take some planning; make sure you study the route, have all the necessary equipment and consult the local Alpine Guides to stay safe and enjoy the challenge.
Events and experiences
Get the most out of your stay, don't miss the many events and activities organised throughout the year in Bormio, Valfurva, Valdidentro, Valdisotto and Sondalo.
Tips and inspiration
Check out our blog for ideas on what to do in and around Bormio; as well as tips, fun facts and stories of locals who have left their mark on the area.
Seven places, one special holiday
Bormio, Valfurva, Valdidentro, Valdisotto and Sondalo are all districts in Alta Valtellina. Together with the Stelvio Pass and the village of Santa Caterina Valfurva, they offer an incredible array of attractions and activities that will make your holiday unforgettable. Highlights include Bormio's old town, the Cancano lakes, Paluaccio Nature Reserve and Val di Rezzalo.
Find your stay, events, services, passes, forecast & webcams
Trying to organise your holiday in Bormio? We've put all the information you need in one place: from which mountain passes are open (so you can plan your journey), to our guide to what's on during your stay, information on which lifts are open, and the opening times for QC Terme Bormio and Bormio Terme. You can also find a list of local restaurants and equipment rental shops.
Any questions?
Our friendly staff are always on hand at our info points to offer help and advice – contact us.
