Rifugio Valtellina 1920 m Malga Magnolta 1945 m

From via Roma, turn right onto via Tonale, signs for hikes and fitness trail. The paved road climbs among the houses of the San Pietro hamlet and continues steeply to the upper edge of the meadows, where there is a small parking area before a no-entry sign. Leaving a flat dirt road to the right, the carriage road continues in the opposite direction for a few more dozen meters, turning into a very steep track suitable for off-road vehicles along a ski slope. The slope eases a bit with some hairpins in a relaxing larch forest, then turns right under the cableway wires and next to the entrance of the EcoFaunistic Observatory visits on request; see leaflet on page 30. Beyond a wide bend, the view opens to the elegant rocky pyramid of Dosso Paso' and the Palabione woods. Always following the slopes, without any possibility of mistake, you reach the upper station of the Palabione cable car 1677 m, near the homonymous Malga. Up to here, of course, in summer, you can use the ski lifts. Continue along the ski trails for about two hundred meters of elevation gain, then turn right to reach the well-visible Rifugio Valtellina 1920 m, situated in a panoramic position. From Rifugio Valtellina 1920 m, continue along the slopes; at a fork, follow the right path, passing under the chairlift. Always keeping right, you finally reach Lago Palabione 2109 m. Unfortunately, the water surface is partly enclosed by a metal fence. By the shore, there is the hiking sign for Malga Magnolta trail no. 329. Gaining further altitude along polished rocks, you leave behind the ski facilities, which have undoubtedly radically changed the landscape, to reach the start of a short traverse. This uphill stretch leads among rhododendrons to the right ridge, a few meters above the cross also clearly visible from below, altitude about 2200 m. The place is exceptionally panoramic over the middle Valtellina, the Aprica forests, the Trivigno basin, the underlying Malga Magnolta, and Monte Torena. Descend steep serpentine paths into a rocky valley, then turn left at the top of the Magnolta slopes. Descend briefly along the slope to Agriturismo La Malga 1945 m, tel. 335 246840. RETURN TO PALABIONE. From Magnolta, if desired, you can descend directly to Aprica using the cable car. Otherwise, paying attention to the signs, you must take a small path under the farmhouse marked trail no. 328. Entering the forest, descend to the right and, after crossing numerous steep hollows full of alders, move with less steepness into a pleasant, dense fir forest. A short climb brings you back to Malga Palabione, from where you descend to Aprica.