As you approach the Valtellinafrom the west, the Val Masino is the first major valley on the Rhaetian side of the Alps. Access to the valley has become easier thanks to the recent construction of a new bypass significantly reducing travel time.
The first part of the road up to the Val Masino is immersed in the wilderness, carved out by the Masino torrent.
The Val Masino is home to less than a thousand inhabitants and covers and area of approximately 115 km sq, which includes the Valle di Spluga (to the left) and the Merdarola, Ligoncio, Dell’Oro and Porcellizzo valley (which all converge in the Masino Bagni valley), the Val di Mello Nature Reserve, the Valle del Ferro, the Val Qualido, the Valle di Zocca, the Val Torrone and the Val Cameraccio. To the north-west of the Val Masino lies Novate Mezzola, to the north it borders Switzerland and the north-east the Valmalenco.
The main villages are Cataeggioand Filorera, notable for their rustic stone houses, from which it is possible to turn off to Sasso Bisolo and the Valle di Preda Rossa, or continue straight on towards San Martino, the third and final village in the valley. From here it is possible to reach the famous Val di Mello, notable for its bucolic landscapes that can be enjoyed during all seasons, or if you should turn westwards, you can reach the Bagni di Masino (about 1172 m.a.s.l.) where the road ends. The Bagni di Masino, the regenerative thermal baths, are what put this otherwise seldom visited location on the map from the XVI century onwards, when the nobility would come up to take the waters, and remain a popular tourist destination to this day. Legend has it that these restorative waters were happened upon by chance, when a particularly stubborn cow, refusing to drink from the torrent, carried on up the mountain, choosing instead to drink from the hot springs and thus producing more milk than the other cows.
Val Masino’s landscapes are best described as harsh and wild. It was sculpted over the years by slow glacial erosion and appears to its visitors as a mass of towering peaks, including the Monte Disgrazia which reaches heights of 3678 m.a.s.l. The sheer and craggy granite faces present perfect opportunities for rock-climbing enthusiasts, and it was the unusual formations of the peaks which attracted pioneering climbers in the ‘70s and continues to attract tourists every year. There is no shortage of rentable properties and houses for sale, including apartments and traditional chalets, especially around San Martino. This dynamic housing market also serves to give the valley new life each summer, without ever surrendering to mass tourism.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM – WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO SEE
By car the Val Masino can be reached by taking the SS38 and turning off at Ardenno-Masino, while those who travel by public transport can take the bus service from Morbegno following the route Morbegno-Ardenno- San Martino-Valmasino. The journey lasts approximately 40 mins, and should cost around €2/3. Those arriving from Switzerland (the railway line goes from St Moritz to Tirano, before changing for Morbegno) should also take the bus. There is also a 24-hour taxi service to and from airports, train stations and bus stations, as well as transport services for trekking groups.
In the various villages it is possible basic requirements, including banks, shops, etc. There is also a selection of restaurants and B&Bs which offer traditional Valtellinese cuisine, featuring local Bitto cheese, pizzoccheri and excellent wines. Accommodation and catering are sustainably provided, as well as the option to rent climbing gear.
Let’s take a closer look what the Val Masino has to offer in terms of attractions and entertainment.
As previously mentioned, the harsh granite peaks and glacial deposits are morphologically ideal for climbing. Above Filorera, the Sasso Remennodominates the surrounding area and is the European monolith of climb. Its walls range from 20m to 55m and provide over 100 routes. Also starting from Filorera there is path designed especially for the differently abled over a distance of 1,5km, which reaches the Sasso Remenno campsite, which makes it ideal of the elderly and the very young, and whose “green” asphalt is a nod to ecologists.
Further up, surrounded by the beautiful Bagni di Masino forests with their beeches, fir trees and spruces, you become immersed in an oasis of calm, where you can relax with the family, enjoy the view and a picnic and feel closer to pure and uncontaminated nature.
The crowning glory of the Val Masino is the magical Val di Mello, which has been designated a nature reserve since 2009and is the largest protected area of the Lombardy region. To preserve its uniqueness, some areas of the reserve are off limits to all but the park rangers. To reach the reserve, as we mentioned, from San Martino you can take a beautiful footpath which wends its way to the valley floor, which is about a half-hour walk. During the summer a shuttle service is available.
Every year in Val di Mello and the world-renowned international climbing festival, called “Melloblocco”, takes places, usually during the first weekend in May, lasting four days and accompanied by musical events and more.
Another major attraction the reserve, that deserves a mention, is the imposing Durango waterfall, with its unusual form.
Apart from climbers, the Valmasinoalso plays host to sky runners from all over the world on the third Sunday of August, who take part in the Kima, a high-altitude marathon which runs along the renowned Sentiero Roma path. The Kima route connects the majority of the mountain cabins in the Val Masino, over the course of 3 or 4 days. As well as more demanding routes, there are alternatives for less experienced hikers and easy walks for families with little ones.
Cycle paths for mountain bikers are also commonplace.
This destination is perfect for families, couples, groups of friends, and even lone explorers. Everything the mountain has to offer can be found in Val Masino. Come and find a house that suits you, to rent or to buy, through our agency.
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