Itinerary in the Lombardy Alps

Internationally, when we talk about Lombardy, we spontaneously think of cities of culture and fashion like Milan or Bergamo and the great lakes. And of course these are undeniable attractions that you absolutely must visit. But we sometimes forget that Lombardy is largely a land of mountains. An Alpine land.

The lakes are in fact integrated into a system of mountains that feed them with water. The landscapes that surround the lakes would not be as evocative and romantic without the presence of these same mountains. The bell towers and bell towers of Bergamo would be less beautiful without the frame of the snow-capped mountains in the background, the roofs of the Duomo in Milan would lose some of their appeal if Monte Rosa did not play hide-and-seek with the mists of the valley.

From a tourism perspective, Alpine Lombardy is structured around three main areas. The Lombard Prealps in the south, the Valtellina To the north and the Val Camonica to the east. If the Prealps are in the foreground, then the two very long valleys of Valtellina and Valcamonica provide access to the background, that of the Alps with their string of peaks, eternal snows, and glaciers. Among the Lombard peaks, or those on the border, we should mention the Bernina, at over 4000 meters, the Ortles which comes close, and the Adamello which is well over 3000 meters. In short, while Lombardy is often associated with the misty, industrial plains around Milan, the true economic capital of Italy, we cannot ignore the fact that half of the territory is a verdant Alpine region, refreshing in summer and covered in snow in winter.

Several major passes, some of which, like the Gavia or the Stelvio, are among the highest road passes in the Alps, allow you to pass from one valley to another, or to stay there, like at the Aprica and Tonale passes, for holidays in Nature in summer and winter.

The Lombard Pre-Alps

When you arrive from the cities of the plains, destinations popular with tourists for their architectural beauty and cultural wealth such as Milan, Como, Bergamo or Brescia, the first mountains that you have in your sights are the pre-Alps.

The mountains near Bergamo are the ones with the most hiking trails, tourist facilities and sometimes even ski slopes, accessible by going up large valleys with still strong traditions such as Val Brembana and Val Seriana.

Valtellina and its strong Alpine identity

As you travel up the Valtellina valley, you first encounter slopes covered in vineyards, then forests, and finally glaciers. The internationally renowned village resort of BormioLocated at the very end of the valley, it serves as your base for exploring the region. A visit to... is absolutely essential. LivignoIn winter, when a white blanket covers all surfaces under several tens of centimeters of snow for five to six months, you must visit the Stelvio Pass, at over 2700m altitude, and why not test yourself against the cycling champions who, during the Giro d'Italia, make it their battleground? Discover the valfurva and its dense forests. Not forgetting Valmalenco and its small villages clinging to the slopes of the giant Bernina massif. Or simply cross this beautiful Valtellina before heading off to discover Switzerland, passing through the Engadine and its upscale resort of St. Moritz. Moreover, whether it is through the Val Bregaglia and the Maloja Pass, which offers a magnificent view of the lakes of the Upper Engadine, or through the Val Poschiavo which you go up to the Bernina Pass and its blue lake, on the banks of which you will see these little red trains so characteristic of the Swiss railways, you will cross a region of Italian-speaking Switzerland, in the Grisons where the two other languages ​​are German and Romansh.

La Valcamonica, cradle of Italian skiing

The other great Lombard valley is the Valcamonica. On an axis that leads travelers towards the Tonale Pass and the Presanella and Adamello glaciers along the Lake Iseo, you discover the small village of Ponte di Legno. This was an important place of passage in the past, between Valtellina (Aprica Pass) and Trentino (Tonale Pass), and this is reflected in the architecture of the village and in the small fortifications in the surrounding area. In the more recent past, Ponte di Legno became the cradle of skiing in Italy, becoming the first village to host a ski resort in 1911. In the surrounding area, many walks will take you to discover this mountainous region of the Central Alps.

The secret nuggets of the Lombard Alps

Perhaps you prefer pristine landscapes, the absence or almost no human habitation, then the intimacy of the Valle Spluga suits you. There is certainly its abundantly snow-covered ski resort of Madesimo, the furthest municipality from the sea in Italy (290km), but also this innovative project of Homeland, a totally virgin area intended for fans of ski touring and freeride. In these high valleys bordering Switzerland, there are only forests and pastures. One of the last Alpine regions that has not experienced the massive development of winter tourism.

The lakes of Lombardy

Most of the large lakes in northern Italy are in Lombardy, or at least one of their shores is there. Lake Como, with its two branches in the shape of an inverted Y, is probably the most luxurious and refined lake in all the Alps. It is no coincidence that stars, politicians and entrepreneurs have bought their villas there, right on the water. The harmony of the villages, the curve of the mountains, the changing color of the sky and the surface of the lake make it the most poetic setting imaginable. Romantics of all stripes, come to the shores of Lake Como! But don't all come at the same time because during the high season, there are so many people on the roads. Fortunately, the boats are there to take over.

Another lake entirely in Lombardy, Lake Iseo. A pearl and above all a haven of peace. The hordes of tourists have not assailed it!

Lovers of beautiful historic stones will head to the banks of Lake Maggiore, where sumptuous Belle Epoque villas stand alongside improbable sanctuaries dug into the rock.

Sports enthusiasts and the more hedonistic will have fun on the shores of Lake Garda.

A complete article is dedicated to the lakes of Northern Italy.

Lombardy is also gastronomy. And it is once again in Valtellina that you will savor the best local specialties. You will taste pizzoccheri, a local pasta specialty, bresaola and the wine produced in the valley's wineries.

From Milan, the mountains of Lombardy are just a stone's throw away, so what are you waiting for?

Activities not to be missed in the Lombardy Alps

• Take your time Bormio and immerse yourself in a relaxing stay at the thermal baths
• Climbing (by bike?) the laces of the Stelvio Pass or the Gavia Pass, the highest Italian passes.
• Immerse yourself in the immaculate whiteness landscapes of Livigno in winter
• Discover the very dense coniferous forests of Valfurva, near Bormio
• Taste the local gastronomy based on pizzoccheri and Valtellina wine, but not only!
• Take the little red train of Bernina from Tirano to the Bernina Pass, or to St. Moritz, Switzerland.
• Cross the vineyards of the lower Valtellina valley in autumn and visit a quarries.
• Hiking in the Spluga Valley

Discovering the Lombardy Alps on video

The best webcams of the Lombardy Alps

(click on the name of the village)

• Livigno: it's hard to do better to have a panoramic view of the village of Livigno. Everything is white in winter, everything is green in summer!
• Madesimo: the landscapes of the Upper Spluga Valley
• Val Brembana: the Alps near Bergamo.

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