Carona between mountain trails, lakes and rock carvings

Carona combines mountain trails, lakes, nature experiences and remarkable historical depth. Between Lago di Carona, the mountain huts in the surrounding area and the rock carvings in Val Camisana, you will find various ways to explore the landscape on foot, by bicycle or by following cultural trails.

Mountain trails around Carona

Sentiero 210 connects Carona with Rifugio F.lli Calvi. The stated walking time is three hours each way there and two hours on the return; the hike is rated difficulty E. Another connection is provided by Sentiero 224 between Lago del Prato and Rifugio F.lli Longo. Here, the walking time is one hour and 15 minutes each way there and 50 minutes on the return, also rated difficulty E.

From the hamlet of Pagliari, Sentiero 247 leads to Baita della Capra. The walking time is one hour and 45 minutes each way there and one hour and 15 minutes on the return. From Pagliari, the trail crosses the Brembo, runs through the forest to Baita della Capra and continues along Sentiero 210 towards Rifugio F.lli Calvi. Rifugio F.lli Longo can be reached on foot, by bicycle or by Jeep shuttle.

Carona can also be included in plans for longer excursions: a route of approximately 50 km through trails in Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche takes five days, leading from Passo San Marco via the sources of the Brembo to Carona. For shorter walks, there is an agricultural and forestry trail through coniferous forests and along Lago di Carona.

Active pursuits: climbing, horse riding and winter sports

The natural La Corna climbing wall has climbing routes graded from 6a to 7c. The riding stable in Piana–Carona di Sotto offers riding lessons for children and adults. Those wishing to explore Carona by mountain bike will find several mountain biking routes, particularly to the numerous mountain huts in the surrounding area.

Valle Carisole is known for winter sports. From Carona, Rifugio Mirtillo can be reached by chairlift. This means that both summer trails and a winter landscape are part of the local range of experiences.

Nature and trails with accessibility features

The Sentiero naturalistico e osservatorio has a paved surface, protective barriers with handrails and a guide rail to assist blind visitors with orientation. The observatory is located in a restored old hut that was renovated while preserving its traditional architecture. A viewing balcony offers a view of the lake.

The Botanical Garden can be reached via an accessible footpath from the car park on Via Pagliari. The path crosses the Brembo on an old arched bridge. The garden is fully equipped for wheelchair users and blind visitors. A path along the Brembo River leads from the Botanical Garden to waterfalls and particularly clear water.

Other accessible locations complete this picture: Sala Bouldering is located on the ground floor, is equipped with safety systems and is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The Lungo-Lago path is accessible to people with motor and sensory disabilities. It has tables, sunbathing areas and play areas for children with climbing elements made from blocks.

Pagliari, rock carvings and local history

Pagliari is a small, rural hamlet approximately 1 km from Carona. It lies on the road to Rifugi Calvi and Longo at an elevation of 1,350 m. Exposed walls made of local stone and characteristic slate roofs define the hamlet's architectural appearance.

The area of rock carvings in Carona includes numerous engraved boulders at elevations between 2,100 and 2,450 m above sea level. In Val Camisana, the rock known as CMS 1 bears Celtic inscriptions in the Lepontic script dating from the 3rd to 2nd century BC. The same rock also bears figures from the 5th century BC.

A local term refers to the former cultivation of the slopes: a “sapel” is an opening in a dry-stone wall or a retaining wall that made it easier to access sloping potato fields. The white potatoes from Carona are also associated with the characteristics “floury and long-lasting”; this description appears in Italy’s first gastronomic guidebook publication. Potatoes were used to compensate for the shortage of flour and to make bread that would keep for a long time.

For the chronological context of a visit to a mountain hut, it is recorded that Rifugio F.lli Longo was continuously open from mid-June to mid-September. This historical information is presented alongside the described trails and destinations accessible around Carona, without specifying current opening hours.

More places for your trip to Italy

If you would like to combine Carona with other destinations, direct connections take you to Orio Al Serio, Bonate Sotto, Camerata Cornello, Roncobello, Cisano Bergamasco, Castione Della Presolana, Dalmine and Bossico.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bergamo.