Costa Valle Imagna: Trails, Landscapes and Culture

For an individually planned trip to Costa Valle Imagna, high-altitude trails, expansive views and special cultural sites can be combined. The landscape around the Passo del Pertus offers a range of impressions, as do the trails with their different starting and finishing points. This natural experience is complemented by a church, traces of historic settlements and a castle in the surrounding area.

Trails between highlands and valleys

The Sentiero Paolo VI begins at the Forcella Bassa at an elevation of 1,260 metres. Another trail connection follows the Sentiero 572: after passing through Ca' Canzo at 1,009 metres, it reaches the provincial road to Costa Valle Imagna. For your individual planning, this provides both a higher starting point and a trail route connected to the road to Costa Valle Imagna.

The CAI Route 7 also begins in Costa Valle Imagna, specifically at the Laghetto del Pertus at an elevation of 1,331 metres. The starting point at the Laghetto del Pertus is higher than the beginning of the Sentiero Paolo VI at the Forcella Bassa. The trail from Costa Valle Imagna to the Santuario della Cornabusa descends via the ancient settlement of Ca’ Mazzoleni. The mule track on the trail from Costa Valle Imagna is well maintained and easy to walk. The different starting elevations can be taken into account when planning a day of hiking in Costa Valle Imagna.

Cultural sites with different characters

The cultural side of Costa Valle Imagna includes the Chiesa della Visitazione di Maria Vergine. It has a chapel dedicated to the Madonna di Lourdes. Ca’ Mazzoleni was once an aristocratic residence and gives the trail route a historical connection. The Castello Dell'Innominato, a castle, is also located in the surrounding area of Costa Valle Imagna. In a compact thematic area, you will therefore encounter sacred architecture, a former aristocratic residence and a fortified building.

Panoramic views at the Passo del Pertus

The Passo del Pertus connects the Valle Imagna and the Valle San Martino. From there, panoramic views extend towards the Resegone, the lakes of Brianza and Monte Rosa. The pass is therefore a specific landscape point where the two valleys and several notable distant views come together.

The plateau at the Passo del Pertus is suitable for picnics. In winter, cross-country skiing is possible at the Passo del Pertus. This creates a seasonal distinction for your travel planning, without requiring the other trails and cultural sites to have the same focus: you can treat the views, a break on the plateau or the winter activity as separate reasons for a visit.

Other destinations for orientation

Trescore Balneario, Ambria-spino, Pontida, Endine, Villassio, Mezzoldo, Vall'alta and Stalettì

For the higher-level travel overview: Bergamo.