Bagni: Buchenwald, Thermal Spring and Mountain Trails in Val Masino

Around Bagni del Masino, woodland scenery, thermal history and mountain trails come together to create a diverse destination in Val Masino. The Bagni di Masino area is one of two parts of the Foresta di Lombardia Val Masino; the other part is Val di Mello, and the Bagni di Masino section is called “Bagni di Masino”. This means the area offers everything from quiet nature observation to challenging trails into the high-mountain landscape.

Woodland Scenery and Nature Experiences

Below Bagni del Masino lies a naturally occurring beech forest with trees that are partly more than 200 years old. The rare alpine longhorn beetle (Rosalia alpina) has also been recorded there. The La Foresta dei Bagni circular trail leads through tall firs and large old beech trees. Along the way, you walk on paths and historic mule tracks, directly connecting the history of the forest with hiking.

The alluvial basin of Bagni di Masino is another part of the nature experience. It belongs to the 2,600-hectare SIC “Bagni di Masino-Pizzo Badile-Pizzo del Ferro”. A special stop is the thermal spring of Bagni di Masino: it emerges at around 38°C in a grotto behind the old thermal building and can be reached via a staircase.

Circular Trails with Different Focuses

The Sentiero Sensoriale dei Bagni di Masino is a 1,100 m circular trail with an elevation gain of 80 m. Thanks to specially designed technologies, it enables blind and visually impaired people to hike independently and safely in the mountains. Nine information panels are dedicated to the region’s most important natural features; some of the panels are also provided in Braille.

There is also a permanent orienteering course in the Foresta Val Masino. A specially prepared map is required to use it. The two activities therefore have different focuses: the Sentiero Sensoriale places the perception of nature at the center, while orienteering combines movement through the forest with the search for the designated points.

High Mountains and Stage Trails

Near Bagni del Masino, the Rifugio Antonio Omio is located at 2,100 m on a plateau at the head of the Valle dell’Oro. In the Bagni del Masino area, the Rifugio Gianetti is a stage on the Sentiero Roma and serves as a starting point for important climbs of Pizzo Badile and Pizzo Cengalo.

The section of the Sentiero Roma from Bagni di Masino to Rifugio Omio has an uphill elevation gain of 930 m, runs from 1,170 to 2,100 m and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Thermal History and Architecture

The waters of Bagni del Masino were already being used for thermal purposes before 1462. The Chiesetta dei Bagni also bears witness to several construction phases: the front section was built before 1600. The Chiesetta dei Bagni, which stands in front of the thermal complex of Bagni di Masino, dates from 1641 and was built in the architectural style of Graubünden.

Getting to Val Masino

From Milan, you can travel by car via the SS 36 in the direction of Lecco–Sondrio and the SS 38, with a turn-off into Val Masino. Alternatively, take the train to Morbegno station and then continue by local bus via Ardenno and San Martino to Val Masino. For your planning, this provides both a road connection from the direction of Milan and a combination of train and bus.

Other Destinations in the Area

If you would like to combine Bagni with other places on your trip, here are suitable destinations for further orientation: Novate Mezzola, Teglio, Corna, Maroggia, Gordona, Chiuro, Chiavenna and Oga.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sondrio.