Table Of Contents
- What snowshoeing is and why you should try it
- The best snowshoeing in Lombardy: 10 itineraries for this winter
- Night snowshoeing in Vezza d’Oglio
- Snowshoeing on the Piani di Bobbio
- Snowshoeing in Ponte di Legno
- Snowshoeing in Valtellina: the Campagneda loop.
- Snowshoeing in Bergamo: Monte Pora
- Snowshoeing in Bormio: Val Viola
- Snowshoeing in Livigno: immersive experience in Val Camonica
- Snowshoeing to Lake Palü
- Snowshoeing at Rifugio Grassi
- Snowshoeing in Val di Scalve
- Tips for your first snowshoeing trip
Do you love the crunch of fresh snow under your feet as you soak in the breathtaking winter landscape? If the answer is yes, it’s time to discover the magical world of snowshoeing! Snowshoes, these fascinating “snowshoes,” have a history dating back thousands of years.
Originally used by Nordic peoples to move easily through deep snow, today they have become a tool for having fun while exploring completely snow-covered mountain landscapes.
Fun fact: Did you know that the word “snowshoe” comes from the Lombard dialect word “ciaspa,” meaning “wide leg”? A name that perfectly describes the shape of these tools that will allow you to “float” on the snow as if by magic!
What snowshoeing is and why you should try it
If you are not yet familiar with them, snowshoeing is hiking in the snow using snowshoes, tools that attach to your boots and distribute your weight over a wider area, preventing the user from sinking.
This activity makes it possible to explore snowy trails that would otherwise be inaccessible, providing impressive views and a unique experience in contact with winter nature.
The best snowshoeing in Lombardy: 10 itineraries for this winter
Are you in Milan? What luck! Lombardy offers an incredible variety of routes for snowshoe lovers. Here is a selection of the best itineraries for your snow adventures:
Night snowshoeing in Vezza d’Oglio
Imagine walking under a starry sky, with snow glistening in the moonlight. Night snowshoeing gives you magical and unforgettable experiences. The “Caspolada al Chiaro di Luna“ in Vezza d’Oglio, in the province of Brescia, is Italy’s most popular night snowshoe hike.
📍Where: Vezza d’Oglio (BS), Upper Camonica Valley.
📏Length: one 5-km and one 9-km trail.
⏱️Durata: 2 to 4 hours, depending on the route chosen.
🏔️Dettagli:
- This event offers two routes: a long one of 9 kilometers and a shorter one of 5 kilometers, with an elevation gain of 150 meters.
- Snowshoe rental available on site.
- Option of guided hikes with local experts.
- Option to end with a delicious dinner at the hut (because snowshoeing makes you hungry, right?).
- This is the perfect opportunity to experience the magic of the Alps under the stars in the company of hundreds of other enthusiasts.
Snowshoeing on the Piani di Bobbio
A classic of snowshoeing in Lombardy, the Piani di Bobbio offers routes suitable for all experience levels in the province of Lecco, just an hour’s drive from Milan. You’ll enjoy mind-blowing views of Resegone and Grigne Mountains, with opportunities to take a break at one of the refuges to enjoy local cuisine and warm up before continuing your adventure.
📍Where: Valsassina, Lecco.
📏Length: two main routes, 5 to 8 km.
⏱️Durata: 2 to 4 hours.
🏔️Dettagli:
- Departure from the Barzio cable car.
- Two refuges for restorative breaks: Rifugio Stella and Rifugio Lecco.
- Both routes are looped to explore different areas without repeating the same route.
- The first route is ideal for beginners or families because of its low elevation gain. More experienced hikers, on the other hand, can opt for the second route, which reaches higher elevations and offers even more spectacular views.
Snowshoeing in Ponte di Legno
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Stelvio National Park with this route that takes you through enchanted forests and quiet valleys. There are 16 snowshoeing routes available in Valle Camonica, including overnight routes, allowing you to explore unique places such as Mortirolo, Valbione, Corno d’Aola and Val Grande.
📍Where: Ponte di Legno (BS), Upper Camonica Valley.
📏Length: 7 km.
⏱️Durata: 3-4 hours.
🏔️Dettagli:
- The trail includes visits to traditional alpine huts and offers spectacular views of the Adamello group.
- Group tours can be arranged and guided by experienced professionals.
Snowshoeing in Valtellina: the Campagneda loop.
Immerse yourself in the unspoiled beauty of Valtellina with this mid-level itinerary that takes you through extraordinary alpine landscapes and unspoiled nature. The Campagneda loop is a popular route that offers a variety of scenery, from alpine lakes to towering peaks and cozy mountain huts.
📍Where: Lanzada (SO), Valmalenco.
📏Length: about 10 km.
⏱️Durata: 4-5 hours.
🏔️Dettagli:
- Elevation gain of about 400 meters.
- Medium difficulty, suitable for moderately experienced hikers.
- Main stages: Alpe Campascio, Ca Runcasch hut, Campagneda Lakes, Alpe Prabello, Cristina hut.
- The circular route offers spectacular views of the Bernina range and the valley.
Snowshoeing in Bergamo: Monte Pora
Just a short distance from the city of Bergamo, Monte Pora offers an accessible and scenic snowshoeing experience immersed in the winter nature of the Orobian Alps. This route will allow you to admire the majestic Presolana, one of the most iconic peaks in the area, and Pizzo Camino, giving you breathtaking views of Lake Iseo and the surrounding Orobie Alps.
📍Where: Mount Pora, (BG).
📏Length: 6.5 km.
⏱️Durata: 2-3 hours.
🏔️Dettagli:
- Elevation gain of about 310 m.
- Maximum elevation: 1,721 m (Mount Alto).
- Medium difficulty, also suitable for families with children, with views of the Seriana Valley and equipment rental available on site.
Snowshoeing in Bormio: Val Viola
Get ready for a winter adventure that will leave you breathless! Val Viola, a hidden gem of the upper Valtellina in the province of Sondrio, awaits you for a snowshoe hike that tastes like magic. This 11-kilometer loop trail is like an embrace of nature: it starts in Arnoga, a little paradise on the road between Bormio and Livigno, and pampers you with a gentle elevation gain of only 250 meters, perfect for those who want to enjoy the view without too much effort!
📍Where: Arnoga, Valdidentro (SO), Alta Valtellina.
📏Length: 11 km.
⏱️Durata: 4 hours total (2h15 one way, 1h45 return).
🏔️Dettagli: maximum elevation: 2,055 m.
- Difficulty medium-easy, also suitable for “Sunday” snowshoers.
- Two variants: “low” outward (super safe) and “high” return (for the more adventurous).
- Scenic route with the possibility of spotting alpine wildlife and taking a break at a typical hut.
Snowshoeing in Livigno: immersive experience in Val Camonica
A snowshoe hike that will make you feel like Arctic explorers (but with much more comfort)! Livigno offers you a network of snowshoe trails managed and marked with neon green-yellow poles, perfect for every skill level. From the quiet woods to the scenic “tee tour” to the challenging Baitel dal Plascianet, you’ll find your snowy paradise here. And the best part? It’s virtually impossible to get lost! So where are your drezoles?
📍Where: Livigno (SO), Valtellina.
📏Length: various routes from 3.3 km to 7 km.
⏱️Durata: 1 hour to 3 hours, depending on the route chosen.
🏔️Dettagli:
- Height difference from 200 to 250 meters.
- Routes “managed” and checked daily, perfect for snowshoers of all levels.
- The “tour of the tees” takes you to the discovery of old wooden dwellings, with fantastic views of the valley.
- Possibility of tasting typical dishes in refuges along the routes.
- Baitel dal Plascianet offers a bivouac open to all, ideal for a scenic break and a selfie.
Snowshoeing to Lake Palü
This route is so easy that you could even do it in slippers (but we still recommend snowshoes!). Starting from Sasso Nero, you will immerse yourself in a magical landscape on the Bernina group, discovering one of the most striking alpine lakes in Lombardy, completely frozen in winter. Also on this hike you will be able to refresh yourself in one of the cozy refuges along the way!
📍Where: Valmalenco (SO).
📏Length: about 8 km (round trip + lake tour).
⏱️Durata: 3-4 hours.
🏔️Dettagli:
- Loop route.
- 420 m elevation gain.
- Low difficulty level, perfect for families and novice snowshoers.
- Starts at Sasso Nero, with convenient parking near the Barchi-San Giuseppe chairlift.
- The trail is well-marked and busy, impossible to get lost (unless you do it on purpose!).
- “Adventurous” option via Paluetto and Barchetto, for those who want to feel a bit like Indiana Jones of the snows.
- The tour around the lake is done in 40 minutes: perfect for taking panoramic selfies from every angle.
Snowshoeing at Rifugio Grassi
Get ready for a winter adventure that will make you feel like an explorer of the Alps! Snowshoeing at Rifugio Grassi is like a layer cake: it starts sweet with a comfortable mule track, gets savory with scenic trails, and culminates with an intense flavor that delights the palate for a long time. But don’t worry, there are strategic refuges along the way to recharge your batteries (and stomach)! An adventure for the more experienced, with a significant elevation gain but rewarded by spectacular views.
📍Where: Introbio (LC), Valsassina.
📏Length: 14 km (round trip).
⏱️Durata: 6-7 hours.
🏔️Dettagli:
- Departure from Introbio, a small village that looks like something out of a winter postcard.
- Choice of scenic or more comfortable routes.
- Intermediate stop at Rifugio Tavecchia (1493 m), perfect for an “energizing” coffee.
- The Bocca di Biandino will give you a view that will make you exclaim “Wow!” (if you still have breath).
- The final stretch to Rifugio Grassi (1,987 m) is a bit strenuous but absolutely worth it.
- Possibility of overnight stay in the refuge.
Snowshoeing in Val di Scalve
And we conclude with an itinerary that will let you discover one of the most authentic and least known valleys in Lombardy. Here snow is like the cheese on the casoncelli bergamaschi, it never fails! Val di Scalve offers two crazy snowshoeing trips: the ascent to the Albani refuge, for those who want to test their calves, and the route to the Campelli, for those who prefer a more varied walk. In both cases, get ready for dreamy views and a dive into the valley’s mining history!
📍Where: Scalve Valley (BG).
📏Length: for Rifugio Albani about 8-10 km (round trip); for Campelli 6 to 12 km depending on the route chosen.
⏱️Durata: 4 to 5 hours (Rifugio Albani); 3 to 6 hours (Campelli).
🏔️Dettagli:
- The route to Albani Refuge starts from the picturesque hamlet of Carbonera di Colere, which looks like a movie set!
- Along the trail to Albani, you can visit the old restored miners’ houses, perfect for a “vintage” selfie.
- Snowshoeing to Campelli offers a chance to admire the “Scalvine Dolomites” (yes, you read that right, no need to go to Trentino!).
- From the Campelli pass, rifugio Campione or monte Campioncino, you can see the Adamello (and feel a little Reinhold Messner).
- The Cimon della Bagozza refuge is open almost year-round, because even snowshoers need a coffee break.
Tips for your first snowshoeing trip
Before you embark on this adventure, here are some tips to make your experience memorable and safe:
- Choose the right route: start with easy routes and gradually increase the difficulty.
- Equip yourself properly: in addition to snowshoes, don’t forget poles, layered clothing and waterproof boots.
- Check the weather conditions: always inquire about the forecast and avalanche risk.
- Respect the environment: follow marked trails and do not leave traces of your passage.
- Go in a group: especially if you are new to snowshoeing, it is safer and more fun to snowshoe in company.
Snowshoeing in Lombardy offers a unique way to explore the region’s winter beauty.
Whether you are a mountain enthusiast or just curious looking for new adventures, snowshoeing will open the doors to a magical world of glittering snow, twisting landscapes and the rejuvenating silence of nature.
All you have to do is choose your favorite itinerary and set off to discover the winter wonders of Lombardy.
Enjoy your snowshoeing!