From Piedmont to Valtellina: 10 destinations featuring autumn colours, walking trails and traditions
From Val di Mello to Tirano: a journey through flavours and terraced fields
In the Lower Valtellina, autumn is reflected in the landscape and the produce that epitomises it. In Val Masino, where the Chestnut Festival takes place over the Halloween weekend (Saturday 31st and Sunday 1st November), the larch forests and granite cliffs provide a backdrop to the Val di Mello, where the stream feeds pools and small lakes such as the Bidet della Contessa – a fairytale spot for cooling off on hot summer’s days that retains all its charm even at this time of year. Not far away, above the village of San Martino, the Foresta dei Bagni di Masino offers a more intimate setting, criss-crossed by paths nestled amongst the vegetation: here you’ll also find the Sensory Trail, a circular route with information panels accessible in Braille, designed to allow visually impaired and blind people to discover the natural features of the woodland. Heading down towards Morbegno and continuing towards Tirano, the landscape changes. The Rhaetian slopes are shaped by terraced vineyards, supported by dry stone walls built with stones fitted together without mortar – a technique recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage and which still underpins the production of historic wines such as Nebbiolo delle Alpi. The Via dei Terrazzamenti, a cycle and walking route of around 70 kilometres between Morbegno and Tirano, allows you to explore individual sections, stopping off at wineries to discover other famous wines from this region, such as Valtellina Superiore DOCG, Sassella and Sforzato. Valtellina is also synonymous with flavours and culinary culture. Every October, Morbegno hosts the Mostra del Bitto, an event that revives a tradition linked to the production of local cheeses (Bitto PDO and Valtellina Casera PDO, the latter being a key ingredient in Valtellina-style pizzoccheri) and which continues with tastings and meetings dedicated to producers in the shops and taverns of both towns, even beyond the days of the event itself. Among the events still on the calendar, 7 November marks the Valtellina Wine Trail. This race winds its way through vineyards and villages, showcasing the terraced landscape.
https://www.valtellina.it/it/via-dei-terrazzamenti
