Costa Volpino combines the landscape along the Oglio with Lake Iseo and a succession of small historic settlements. Old houses with portals and arcades in the medieval style shape the character of this small town. For orientation purposes, the journey there is also relevant: Costa Volpino can be reached by the Bergamo–Boario bus route.
Trails between the lake, river and mountains
A prominent crossing is the Ponte della Pace, a combined cycle and pedestrian bridge over the Oglio at the point where the river flows into Lake Iseo. It lies between the sports hall in the locality of Corti and the cemetery in Piano. Stage 4 of the Cammino di Carlo Magno also passes through Corti and Volpino, two hamlets of Costa Volpino. The 16.1 km stage runs 40% on unpaved paths and 60% on paved paths and roads. Tratta 13 of the Sentiero Alto crosses the Sentiero dei laghi basso.
By the river lies the Parco avifaunistico dell’Oglio, a green area along the Oglio that is suitable for relaxing walks and sporting activities. A cycle path runs through the park from the locality of Bersaglio and connects to the Ciclovia dell’Oglio. This predominantly flat route leads north of the lake through Val Camonica to Capo di Ponte. For longer hikes, the Tour panoramico dell’alto lago leads from Corti to Lovere via Ceratello, the Bossico plateau and the Santuario di San Giovanni in Monte Cala.
The Bossico-Ceratello route connects the hamlet of Ceratello with the Bossico plateau via an approximately 2 km long, easy and scenic agroforestry road; the walking time is about 1 hour. Those looking for a mountain bike route will find a circuit on the Costa Volpino–Lago Moro MTB route, following gravel roads and forest paths to an alpine lake before returning panoramically to the valley. The hike from Costa Volpino to the Rifugio Magnolini first passes through the Valle di Supine and then follows the mountain’s southwestern slopes, passing alpine huts and offering views of Lake Iseo.
Churches and history in the hamlets
The most important 12th-century castle in the hamlet of Volpino belonged to the Brusati family. Its destruction was decreed in a later peace treaty between Bergamo and Brescia; it took place in 1198. A church dedicated to Saint Stefano has been documented within the castle since 1132. Today, the Church of Santo Stefano dominates the summit of Volpino Hill. It can be reached either via a steep climb with a short staircase or via the more convenient narrow Via Sabotino, which bypasses the centre.
Qualino lies on an extensive terrace that can be reached by bus. The Church of Sant’Ambrogio offers sweeping panoramic views of Lake Iseo and lower Valcamonica. Its current appearance was shaped by extensions in the 17th century and in 1902; it stands on a partially preserved 15th-century structure, whose older elements are documented inside by fragments of frescoes. At the southern edge of Branico stands the Church of Santi Bartolomeo e Gottardo, overlooking the Oglio Valley and featuring an interesting cycle of 14th-century paintings.
Ceratello lies at an altitude of over 800 m in a panoramic location and is the highest historic centre in the Costa area. Above the town stands the Church of San Giorgio Martire on a hill where a castle presumably once stood. A grand staircase built between 1937 and 1939 leads up to it. In Flaccanico, the Church of San Matteo rises above the town; its church square opens onto an impressive view. In Corti, the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate is a notable example of contemporary religious architecture and replaces the former parish seat on the hill.
Another landmark for mountain hikes is the Rifugio M.O. Leonida Magnolini in the locality of Pian della PalĂą. It lies at an altitude of 1,610 m between the Clusone basin and Valle Camonica, was built by the Lovere section of the CAI and opened in 1948.
Other places in the same area
Mozzo, Bonate Sotto, Rovetta, Carobbio, Colere, Clanezzo, Schilpario, Fara Gera D'adda
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