Ca' Branchi - Somasassa

Detour to Caven. At the beginning of the concrete road, take the road on your right that descends steeply into the valley winding through the terraced vineyards where Valgella, a prestigious Valtellina Superiore docg, is produced. It was at these terraced vineyards that the Caven stelae were found, prehistoric artifacts of great value that can be viewed today in the rooms of Palazzo Besta. Now begins a downhill stretch, which continues above the hamlet of Tresenda, towards the end of which one can admire to one's left a beautiful stump of Celtis Australis set in a jagged rocky portion, confirming the Italian name of Spaccasassi. Then continuing slightly uphill, the area planted with vines gives way to orchards, apple orchards in particular, and ancient terraces of chestnut trees for fruit. After about 1,300 m of the trail, therefore, you reach a vantage point on the eastern part of the valley where the villages of Boalzo, Bianzone, Villa di Tirano, Tirano (overlooked by the mass of Mount Massuccio standing out on the left) and, in the background, the conoid of Sernio can clearly be seen in succession. At the crossing over a stream, the return route begins. At the junction with the road leading from Balzo to Teglio, continue to the left, skirting the stream, and at the hairpin bend continue on the asphalt road slightly uphill. Having tackled the two uphill hairpin bends, a large chestnut forest opens up with trees of beautiful bearing, an ideal spot for a short shady stop. At the fork that follows, continue left following the main road and where you can admire an ancient votive chapel on your right. You then emerge onto the Somasassa plain with a beautiful panoramic view of the Orobie mountain range. At the fork it is possible to take a left for a visit to the village of Somasassa otherwise continue to the right taking you back to the starting point, after about 20 m you take the dirt path to the left that runs along the Somasassa lake, continuing straight ahead you find yourself at the parking lot.