Ring in the nature reserve of the Giants' potholes

Eected to an ideal start in Piazza Castello, Chiavenna, take Via Maurizio Quadrio and, before reaching the bridge over the Mera, turn right into Via Poiatengo. On this evocative route between the river, woods and cliffs, you arrive in Prosto di Piuro, where the numerous crotti, the church dedicated to the Assumption and a handcrafted soapstone workshop are worth a visit. From the churchyard to the left of the church, a steep, stepped path leads into the beautiful woods, where the first evidence of ancient soapstone quarrying is encountered: the oldest quarries, here still opencast. Astonishing higher up, on rocks smoothed by glaciers, engravings from prehistoric times. Having reached the Capiola Pass (m 489 a.s.l.), the descent to Chiavenna offers two itineraries: the left one, easier, along the small depression through splendid glades, or the right one, where, ascending to Sasso Dragone (m 520 a.s.l.), you can admire more closely those phenomena of glacial erosion that give the nature reserve its name. Detailed descriptions of the main points of interest are entrusted to the numerous illustrative panels along the trails.

Edited by Consorzio Tutela Bresaola della Valtellina