5 Days Hiking, Yoga and Mindfullness in the Italian Alps

Just a few kilometres from the northern tip of Lake Como, Piantedo marks the start of the Via Occidentale, the western approach of the Cammino mariano delle Alpi. The accommodation "Open Cascina" is a renovated farmhouse to experience the authentic contact with the earth, within a landscape of extraordinary beauty. The farmhouse is immersed in the countryside of the Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve and surrounded by fields where they grow their organic agricultural products.

From the Santuario della Beata Vergine delle Grazie, the route passes a string of small villages on the Orobic Alps side of the valley until you reach the Church of the Beata Vergine Immacolata in the old part of Andalo. From here, the route continues on to the provincial road to Val Gerola, the home of Bitto DOP cheese, and then drops down into Morbegno, a lively town with a vibrant historic centre and small boutiques selling local produce. The first stage ends at the Church of the Beata Vergine delle Grazie, locally referred to as ‘la gisèta’, the little church, built in 1665 as a private oratory. Set above the high altar in a dedicated niche, the wooden sculpture of Madonna and Child Enthroned is extremely dear to the locals. I chose as accommodation "La Casa dei Baff" a beautiful Agriturismo where they make local products such as cheeses and wines. Surrounded by greenery, it will offer us a lovely service to rest in peace and serenity.

Morbegno - Berbenno is a long stage which begins in the bottom of the valley before climbing onto the slopes of the Rhaetian Alps to reach Berbenno di Valtellina and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. If you sit on the sunny, south-facing slopes, the view opens up, letting you admire the valley’s terraced vineyards, and incorporates stretches of the Via dei Terrazzamenti walking trail. After a stretch on the Orobic Alps side of the valley, passing Talamona with its parish Church of the Natività di Maria Vergine, the route crosses over the River Adda and begins to climb through the distinctive terraced vineyards on the Rhaetian Alps side of the valley. The route now levels out until you begin the climb to Gaggio and the Church of the Beata Vergine del Buon Consiglio. The altarpiece (1813) hails from Rome, depicting angels holding a small painting with the treasured image of the Virgin tenderly bringing her face closer to that of the Child. Accommodation is Trattoria Traversi, a cleaned and confortable shared apartament. Very local perfect for the experience in a rural village.

Sticking to the Rhaetian Alps side of the valley, leave Berbenno di Valtellina and its church and head towards the beautiful site of the Santuario della Madonna della Sassella, tucked into the vineyards where it has sat for centuries. Take a look inside before dropping down into Sondrio, the main town of the province. From Sassella to Tirano, the landscape is unique, shaped by steep vineyards and dry-stone walls–the art of which has been recognized by UNESCO and added to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Alloggio del Contadino is our accommodation for the night. Family business they habe their own local products. Beautiful architecture valtellinian - wooden style.

In one of the most picturesque and panoramic stages, you will traverse the south-facing slopes through vineyards and ancient villages, stopping at several of the most fascinating churches, including the Church of Santa Maria di Ligone, thought to be amongst the oldest in Valtellina. The stage ends in Teglio, the valley’s former capital (and origin of its name), where you’ll find the old Church of Santa Eufemia. One of the most picture-perfect, panoramic stretches of the Via Occidentale, the fourth stage stays on the Rhaetian Alps side of Valtellina, through vineyards, ancient villages and historic sites. You’ll leave Sondrio through the fascinating old neighbourhood of Scarpatetti and climb to Castel Masegra and the village of Ponchiera. From here, the route heads along the terraces to Montagna in Valtellina. Hotel Restaurant Miravalle, confortable big room in the Hotel with a spectacular view on the Valley.

The final stage of the Via Occidentale keeps to the Rhaetian slopes of the valley, where the long-established tradition of winemaking is still active and visible, as witnessed by the many examples of rural architecture. For visitors, there are many opportunities to taste this exceptional produce by visiting local wine cellars. Traversing the vineyards, the route takes in hiking paths and dirt roads above Bianzone and Villa di Tirano before reaching the Basilica of the Madonna di Tirano, the province’s most significant religious monument. Accommodation "Casa dolce casa"