Valle del Braulio, Valle Forcola, Valle del Foscagno
Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio
Key to symbols
Stage point (start or end of stage)
Intermediate accommodation possibility
Summit
Pass
Town, village
Other locality
Catering
Doctor
Chemist
Bakery / grocery
Hardware / sports shop
Post
Bank / cash dispenser
Train
Coach
Taxi
Open automobile access
A
Tarred or paved road
B
Dirt track
C
Mule trail
D
Mountain trail
E
Equipped trail (cables, ladders)
F
No trail
Stroll / tourism (broad, non-exposed trail)
Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R71
Stilfser Joch / Passo dello Stelvio » Arnoga
|
6h35 |
25.3 km
|
94 m
|
962 m
From the Stelvio pass, surrounded by the National Park and with views of the Braulio valley, the trail leads through the Bocchetta di Forcola pass and down into Forcola Valley. Then around the Cancano artificial lake, where traces still remain of the work done on the dam, shortly afterwards to the Fraele towers and, after a long walk on the flat, to Arnoga.
From the Stelvio pass (2757m) follow the trail towards the Garibaldi hut (2841m) on the DreiSprachenSpitz, which commands excellent views over the majestic peaks of the Ortler-Cevedale range, the highest being the Ortler (3905m). The view below is of the winding road, zigzagging its way across the Valtellina and Altoatesio slopes as far as the eye can see. A bridleway leads down into Swiss territory to the Giogo di Santa Maria ridge (2480m) and the Umbrail Pass, location of the Italian customs post. A trail continues along the right slope of the Braulio Valley to the Bocchetta di Forcola pass (2768m). The route heads down into the Forcola Valley along a bridleway, passing through the Malga di Forcola pasture (2313m), from where a track leads to Cancano, a broad vale, once used as a pasture, now the site of two artificial lakes. Cross the lower basin to meet the Sentiero della Pace Lombardy trail. The track passes near the Fraele Towers (1941m), watchtowers placed at the entrance to the Scale pass, part of the "Via Imperiale d'Alemagna"(Imperial German Way). The trail passes through some short tunnels, carved out of the rock, and then, on a sharp bend, a track, the service access to the decauville railway as was, leads off to Arnoga (1850m). Road SS321 to Livigno passes through here. From Arnoga a number of climbing routes lead up to the Cima Viola-Lago Spalmo range. There are also routes leading into the Viola Bormina valley, Cancano valleys and the valleys of the Livigno area. (Regione Lombardia)
Natural and cultural heritage
The view from the Stelvio pass (2757m) is of majestic peaks and eternal glaciers set amongst the natural greenery of the Stelvio National Park (surface area: 134,620 hectares). The park’s wildlife includes Red Deer, Roe Deer, Alpine Chamois and Ibex. There are also other minor fauna, including marmot colonies, squirrels, badgers, ermine, foxes, martens, weasels and hares. Over 2000 bird species have been spotted in the area, some migratory, some stationary, the latter including the Black Grouse, the Ptarmigan and the park mascot, the Royal Eagle. The high forest vegetation is mostly made up of conifers, mainly Spruce, Larch, Swiss Stone Pine and Dwarf Pine. Over 1800 species of flower grow in the park. Also in the park: the Rezia Botanical Gardens (Bormio) and the "Scianno" Wildlife Centre (Isolaccia). The Fòrcola valley is a narrow ribbon that winds its way northwards with, on the left, two peaks - Mount Solena (2915 m) and Pizzo Schumbraita (3124m) - which mark the Swiss border, and on the right Mount Pedenolo (2782m). Here begin Le Formelle (2025m), a chain that links the Fòrcola valley to that of Fraele. The latter was important in the past as a centre where the iron that was extracted from Mount Pedenolo above it was worked. Malga di Fòrcola, an area that was once inhabited, is at the top of the valley, which then curves eastwards under Mount Fòrcola. The road here still shows signs of the importance it once had. Its condition then deteriorates as it winds eastward towards the Forcola gap (2768m). At 2000m of altitude the walker can feel an eerie sense of solitude as the steep mountainside takes on different shapes and colours, making way for semi-derelict mountain huts, set in fields and pastures. The Fraele valley: The period from the ‘30s to the ‘60s saw the building of a road that leads to the pass to the Fraele valley. This was to enable the construction of the dam at Cancano (1884m), which transformed the landscape. The route it takes is that of a World War I military road which in turn was built upon the route of a medieval trade route, the “Via Imperiale d’Alemagna” (Royal German Way), one of the most important cross-alpine arteries. It played a key role in controlling trade and military transit between Lombardy and Switzerland and the Tyrol. The last part of this route is known as the Passo delle Scale (Pass of the Stairs). And there actually are real wooden steps there. They were essential in maintaining access to the peaks of the Plator and Mount Scale, and could be removed when necessary. The two Fraele towers overlook the pass. Once over the crest, the road approaches Lake Scale. It is the largest natural basin in the Bormio area, with no influents or effluents. The Cancano Lakes: A large, 4.5km long gully forms the bottom of the valley. It is flanked by rocks that have been smoothed and chiselled by the passing of the glaciers in the quaternary period, and by water and wind erosion. To the left the Dolomites, the peaks of the Platòr, carve their imposing silhouette on the skyline. Further on are the peak of Mount Doscopea and the dip of the Pettini valley. Mountain peaks - Pizzo del Ferro (3033m), Cassa del Ferro (3140m), Prà Grata (2768m) and Paradiso (3020m) - seal the valley off to the west. To the right is the ridge that begins with Mount Solena (2915m) followed by Pizzo Schumbraida (3124m), Mount Cornaccia (3144m) and, after the Val Mora pass (1935m) breaks the chain briefly, continues with the Serraglio peak (2685m). The trail continues pleasantly amongst the pine trees on either shore of the lake, perfect for walking, trekking or cycling. The Fraele valley has been used to produce hydroelectric power since 1928. It began with the building of the Cancano dam, which was later extended, and the sealing of San Giacomo di Fraele. Valdidentro valley begins at the source of the Viola stream, which flows the full length of the valley and merges into the Adda just as it emerges from the Fraele and Bràulio Valleys. To reach Valdidentro from the Vale of Bormio the walker must surmount the formidable natural barrier that is the Mount Scale (2315m) which divides the Adda and the Viola. The valley heads west from Premadio to Semogo where it ends and all the valleys meet: Vezzola which the Cadàngola stream runs through, Foscagno and Viola. Sights at Isolaccia (1350m): "Scianno" Wildlife Centre. Bagni Vecchi: to the north a waterfall pours into the fessura delle streghe, the witches’ gorge as local legend would have it, from where there are views over the Viola valley. Premadio (1300m): the Church of Santi Cristoforo e Gallo; Pedenosso (1450m): Church of Santi Martino e Urbano (14th -17th centuries); Arnoga (1850m): in the little church in the Seminary there is a carved, wooden, baroque altarpiece (18th century). (Regione Lombardia)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
At Cancano the trail meets the Sentiero Italia trail. At the Stelvio pass it meets the World War I historic trail from Filon dei Mot and the Reguzzo.+
Useful topographic maps
676, 96, 072 ~ Kompass (50000)
302, 303 ~ Multigraphic (25000)
Useful guidebooks
Itinerari Storici e Culturali in Alta Valtellina ~ Alpinia Editrice (ISBN )
Passeggiate per famiglia e con bambini in Alta Valtellina ~ Alpinia Editrice (ISBN )
Sentiero della Pace in Lombardia ~ Alpinia Editrice (ISBN )
Websites relative to natural and cultural heritage
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
M&M - 2023-09-10
Dies ist eine wirklich sehr lange Etappe! Wenn es in Arnoga keine freie Unterkunft mehr gibt, kann man schon vorher über das Valle di Foscagno (Weg 186) nach San Carlo absteigen und im Albergo Lepre Bianca essen und nächtigen. Wunderbare, italienische Hausmannskost! Sehr freundliche Betreiber! Tipico italiano!!! Am nächsten Tag steigt man über den Weg 185 ca. 1 Stunde nach Arnoga auf.
Lundi 17 juin 2019
Toujours à cause de la neige tardive, et grâce à une personne de l'hôtel Folgore, nous sommes descendus par la route jusqu'à proximité Lago di Cancano, où nous avons rejoint la Via Alpina.
Une fois de plus, beaucoup de VTT sur ce tronçon assez plat et long. On les envie presque !
Contrairement au message précédent, nous avons été très bien reçues à l'hôtel Arnoga, bon rapport qualité prix. L'avantage de traverser la route pour retrouver le sentier du lendemain.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Once again, many mountain bikes on this stretch quite flat and long. We almost want them! Contrary to the previous message, we were very well received at the Arnoga hotel, good value for money. The advantage of crossing the road to find the path of the next day.
Cette étape peut également être partagée en 2. Il existe des possiblités de logement et demi pension au barrage de Cancano. Parfois, les temps indiqués pour les étapes ne correspondent pas vraiment à la réalité ! Ce sont peut être des trailers qui mettent leurs appréciations ??? c'est sans compter avec la fatigue de plusieurs jours de marche, le poids du sac, l'âge du randonneur. Qui contrôle la veracité des commentaires ?
Automatic translation
[Google]
This stage can also be shared in 2. There are possibilities for accommodation and half board at the dam of Cancano. Sometimes the times indicated for the steps do not really correspond to reality! Maybe they are trailers who put their appreciations ??? it is without counting with the fatigue of several days of walking, the weight of the bag, the age of the hiker. Who controls the veracity of comments?
Avons passé 2 nuits au refuge Garibaldi = temps exécrable, pluie et grêle toute la journée. Jour du départ, grand beau. Beaucoup de marmottes mais pas d'autres animaux comme indiqué sur les panneaux du parc national du Stelvio ?? pas mal de VTT aussi sur ce tronçon. Ils portent même leur vélo sur le dernier bout de sentier avant d'atteindre la Bocchetta di Forcola 2.768m.
Je n'ai rien contre les Vététistes surtout quand ils font l'effort de monter en vélo. Ce qui est le plus gênant, ce sont les sentiers creusés en V par leurs passages, pénibles à marcher pour les piétons et casse-pattes....
Automatic translation
[Google]
Stayed at Garibaldi for 2 nights = terrible weather, rain and hail all day. Departure day, big beautiful. Many marmots but no other animals as indicated on the signs of the Stelvio National Park ?? a lot of mountain biking also on this stretch. They even carry their bike on the last end of the trail before reaching the Bocchetta di Forcola 2.768m. I have nothing against the bikers especially when they make the effort to ride a bike. What is the most embarrassing, are the trails dug in V by their passages, difficult to walk for pedestrians and breakers ....
Todays hike comes in three parts: 10 km to Forcella Pass, down touching Switzerland, and then a beautiful highway. Too many annoying bikers in this part. Then the best, down 10 km through a narrow quiet valley, hardly any people. Past the lake, and *between* the two pillars steep down to the last 10 km, which is the easiest, but rather a boring part. The whole day took me a little over 8 hours walking time.
I almost got ripped off by Albergo Li Arnoga, not only are they very expensive, they also charged extra services I did not use. So if you stay there, check your bill!
Daniel - 2016-09-18
Etape un peu longue...entre 8-9 heures. le passage entre les 2 tours est possible... arrivé à la prise d'eau remonter au premier virage de la route pour prendre le chemin conduisant à Arboga.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Step a little long ... between 8-9 hours. the passage between the 2 turns is possible ... arrived at the water intake go up to the first corner of the road to take the path leading to Arboga.
Elisabeth - 2014-03-16
Le temps de marche est, en effet, largement sous-estimé mais nous avons l'habitude, n'est-ce-pas ? ...
Petite remarque "collatérale" : au Point Information du lac Cancano, l'employé ne parle que l'italien ! J'avais voulu m'y plaindre de la musique braillarde venant d'une colonie de vacances.
Automatic translation
[Google]
The running time is in fact largely underestimated but we usually, do not you? Small note ... "collateral" to the Information Point Lake Cancano, the employee only speaks Italian! I wanted to be complaining about the raucous music from a summer camp.
Alpinisten - 2013-08-31
Die Gehzeit vom Stilfser Joch bis zum Lago Cancano und weiter nach Arnoga beträgt weit mehr als die angegeben 6.35h! Wir haben ca. 8.20h benötigt, allein bis Solen (Kirche) sind es laut Schildern 5.30h! Bei den zwei Türmen am einfachsten die Strasse durch den kleinen Tunnel gehen und nach der zweiten Linkskehre in den rechten Wanderweg einbiegen (ab Wegweiser nach Arnoga:2.50h!). der Weg zieht sich, evtl. schon am Lago Cancano übernachten...
Automatic translation
[Google]
The walk from the Stelvio to Lake Cancano and on to Arnoga is far more than the stated 6:35! We needed about 8:20, only to brines (church) there are signs 5:30 loudly! The two towers, the easiest road to go through the small tunnel and turn left after the second left turn into the right path (from sign to Arnoga: 2:50). the road runs, possibly already at Lake Cancano stay ...
robert - 2012-07-28
Attention , le sentier entre les deux tours ne conduit pas à Arnoga , mais plus bas dans la vallée
Automatic translation
[Google]
Attention, the path between the two towers does not lead to Arnoga, but down in the valley
(Passo dello Stelvio -> Arnoga): Instead of following the driving road at the Fraele Towers, you can take an unmarked path which starts inbetween the 2 towers.
|
6h35 |
25.3 km
|
94 m
|
962 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.