Malga Dosso (1856 m) - Torena Lakes (2073 m)

Passing the village church, you enter Val Caronella along the dirt road which, with some switchbacks, climbs the meadows of the Baite Involt (in Valtellina dialect 'involt' means 'cellar'), approaching the Caronella Stream. A hiking signpost indicates the direction to Pra' di Gianni and the Torena Lakes. After crossing the stream on a log bridge, continue on the opposite bank to reach the huts of Pra' di Gianni (1339 m), at the beginning of a beautiful plain surrounded by woods. Taking the path turning left (white-red waymarks), you ascend among larches leaving the valley floor. The larches soon give way to spruces, forming a dense and moist forest, certainly inhabited by gnomes and elves. At the top, after crossing two large clearings, you emerge into the sunlight of Malga Dosso (1856 m), at the end of the World. On the meadows of this high pasture located in a dominant position, one can study, meditate, make love, observe the landscape, or simply relax. Particularly beautiful is the panorama over the middle and lower Valtellina and the Rhaetian Alps, from Monte Disgrazia to the peaks of Val Fontana. Malga Dosso is a simple and short destination; if desired, you can continue towards the Torena Lakes. Beyond the hill towards the East you enter Val Belviso (G.V.O. waymarks) and, after a short forest, tackle a long up and down among green alders (maro's or malo's) to overcome a rough area. These shrubs, growing in wet areas between 1500 and 2300 meters altitude, are very flexible, allowing them to survive even in steep places long covered by snow and hit by avalanches. From this point, Malga Magnolta is clearly visible in front, a ski resort in winter, and the lower part of Val Belviso, very enclosed. The mule track is wide and well maintained, as it probably used to be the best and most frequented route between Val Caronnella and Val Belviso. During the Great War, it was further improved to quickly reach the head of Val Belviso, where a potential second fortified defensive line had been planned. With a couple of switchbacks, you reach a rudimentary wooden cross and then descend a few meters continuing on the flat until reaching the modest basin where Malga Lavazza (1889 m) rises among big larches. From the huts, carefully following the signs, leave on the left a flat trail to climb along a grassy ridge from which you can admire Monte Torena. In this area, a private hunting reserve, encounters with numerous animals, especially large herds of chamois, are frequent. Continuing south over pastures and polished rocks, you reach a flat area. Opposite is the evident shaping action of Quaternary glaciers on numerous large rocks. Following the signs or going a few meters higher, up to the clearly identifiable military track supported by numerous dry stone walls (more fun), you skirt the small lake and shortly beyond reach the larger Black Lake of Torena (2036 m), with its characteristic islet covered with vegetation. On the rocks of its west shore, facing the mountain, some rock carvings have also been found. Beyond the lake's inflow, you reach Malga Torena (2044 m) and can continue by taking a small valley littered with large schist boulders which shortly leads to the large amphitheater partly occupied by the waters of Lago Verde (2073 m), behind which rise the slopes ending nearly a thousand meters higher at the summit of Monte Torena. If wishing to shorten and vary the descent route, you could easily descend to Ponte Frera (1373 m; see following itinerary). Obviously, in this case, you would need to have a second car there to return to Carona.