In the Bormio area, alongside the major valleys and destinations that have become symbols of Alta Valtellina, there are quieter corners where the mountains tell different stories: historic alpine pastures, traces of the First World War, small mountain lakes, larch forests, traditional huts and landscapes shaped over the centuries by human activity.
Some can be reached with pleasant walks, while others require sure-footedness, good fitness and experience in an alpine environment. All of them, however, offer the chance to discover a more authentic side of the area.
Here are 5 lesser-known valleys to explore around Bormio.
1. Gavia Valley
The Gavia Pass is one of the great names of the Alps, especially well known among cyclists and mountain enthusiasts. But what happens if, instead of simply reaching the pass, you leave the road behind and start walking?
The Gavia Valley opens the door to a high-altitude environment where nature and history are closely intertwined. Here you will find the famous One Hundred Steps of Monte Gavia, part of a route linked to military structures built during the First World War: reminders of a time when even these rugged mountains were strategic areas to be guarded.
For experienced and well-trained hikers, the area offers routes leading up towards Monte Gaviola, reaching elevations close to 3,000 metres. These hikes take you deep into the glacial landscape of the Ortles-Cevedale group and require suitable preparation for a high-mountain environment.
Nearby, the Sforzellina Glacier offers a close-up view of a landscape in constant transformation, while important rock carvings have been discovered beneath the Tresero Glacier, evidence that people were present at high altitude here as far back as ancient times. Other, much more recent carvings can be found on the walls of the Edelweiss Cave, left over the centuries by young shepherds who brought their livestock to the Gavia pastures.
This is the ideal valley for anyone looking for history, geology and high-altitude trekking, with plenty of opportunities for guided excursions too.
2. Zandilla and Monte
In Valdisotto, simply reaching the small village of Monte is enough to gain a completely different perspective.
Here, the mountains are not only about nature: they are a lived-in landscape, shaped over time by meadows, forests, rural architecture and small details that tell the story of Alpine communities.
In the village, the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is well worth a stop, while a little higher up the trail passes through fir forests and clusters of mountain huts before reaching Campello, Campaccio and Alpe Zandilla.
It is an area that can be explored at different paces. The first destinations are also suitable for anyone looking for a relaxed day among nature and alpine pastures; continuing towards Campaccio Lake and following the longer routes, however, the hike gradually becomes more demanding.
For families, a pleasant alternative is the Family Trek Bosco Incantato, a short themed trail starting in Monte and winding through the forest among sculptures and art installations designed to surprise younger visitors in particular.
Another curious surprise lies right beneath your feet. The Zandilla area is known for minerals such as anatase, apatite, tourmaline and zircon. Continuing towards the Zandilla Pass, the landscape also preserves stretches of old mule tracks and remains of First World War trenches.
A particularly interesting destination for anyone who enjoys combining walks, local history and natural curiosities.
3. Val Vezzola
Val Vezzola, in Valdidentro, is one of those valleys that reveals its beauty gradually, through wide open and peaceful spaces.
Less well known than other areas of the valley, it is characterised by extensive pastures, forests and broad expanses where the eye can wander almost uninterrupted. The route crosses Val Cadangola and reaches Alpe Vezzola, at the beginning of a vast alpine plateau. From here, you can continue towards Val Trela or take on longer routes in the direction of the Foscagno Pass.
One of the most atmospheric spots is Lago Nero, a relatively deep and little-known mountain lake whose very name, meaning “Black Lake”, seems to anticipate the dark shades its waters can take on in the high-altitude landscape.
The character of the valley changes with the seasons. In summer, the green of the pastures and the activity of the alpine farms dominate the scenery; in autumn, meanwhile, the larches turn vivid shades of yellow and gold, transforming the trail and offering one more reason to discover the mountains outside the busiest months.
Here, the landscape mainly tells the story of the relationship between people and the land: trails, pastures and dairies are reminders of a mountain environment shaped slowly over time by farming and pastoral work.
It is an ideal valley for anyone looking for peace, photography, nature and walks to enjoy without rushing.
4. Val Lia
Val Lia brings together very different sides of the mountains within the same landscape. You can begin with a relaxing walk among forests and mountain huts and, as you continue uphill, reach a much more rugged environment dominated by high peaks.
Along the way you pass Lia dei Carli, with its traditional rural architecture, before reaching Alpe Boron, a group of five buildings open during the summer months. The trail offers several views of Cima Piazzi and its glacier.
This first part of the valley is also perfect for a family day out: mountain huts, meadows and life on the alpine pastures offer a glimpse into a side of the mountains that is still closely connected to traditional activities.
For those who want to walk further, routes such as the Giro Felice also pass through this area, linking up with Val Lia and offering beautiful views of Cima Piazzi.
Higher up, everything changes. Through Val Cardonè, you can climb towards the Ferrario Bivouac, set in a rocky environment at the foot of the Vedretta dei Piazzi glacier. Here, meadows and mountain huts gradually give way to a true high-mountain setting and the glacial masses of Cima Piazzi.
A valley offering routes for families, hikers and high-altitude mountain enthusiasts alike.
5. Boero
And then there is Boero, in the Sondalo area. A destination that can be surprising precisely because it lies far from the most familiar images of the Valtellina mountains.
The Boero mountain huts stand on a natural terrace overlooking Alta Valtellina. The panoramic route starting from the Frontale area crosses forests and small rural settlements, passing the Asola huts before reaching Boero.
From up here, the view stretches across an immense area. In the distance, you can also make out the traces of one of the events that had the greatest impact on the valley’s recent history: the huge Val Pola landslide of 1987, whose mark on the landscape is still clearly visible today. Several routes in the area also look directly over the zone affected by the landslide.
What makes Boero especially distinctive, however, is its oral tradition. The stories of the “pradèr de Boèr”, passed down locally, evoke a mountain landscape that was part of everyday life, made up of meadows to tend, mountain huts, hard work and long stays at altitude.
For more experienced hikers, Boero can also be the starting point for routes towards Corno di Boero, where the landscape gradually becomes more alpine and traces of First World War military fortifications can still be found.
A place for anyone drawn to a mountain landscape that is authentic, secluded and still deeply connected to its own stories.
